When living a life that includes a chronic illness, we all sometimes face challenges that extend above and beyond the long-term diagnosis. Like “normal” people, we also experience short-term health issues, work stresses, and other crises that add to the load we are already carrying around each day. And sometimes when that load gets too… [Read more…]
October 9, 2012
There are plenty of people who have opinions about what you should do in life. Some of those opinions may be valuable, while others are completely irrelevant. The one that is the most important, however, is yours. You are the only person who lives inside your body and will experience the consequences of any decisions… [Read more…]
October 5, 2012
As the creator of the FIND-JOY Method for living a better life despite chronic illness, I have had so many years of experience tweaking this “formula” and finding unique ways to implement the 7 steps (if you haven’t read about my FIND-JOY Method, click here to learn more). I know that even if we have specific instructions before… [Read more…]
October 2, 2012
As a little girl with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, I often faced unsolicited opinions about my health. Many of them hurt nearly as much as my big, swollen knees did. Those were the times before my self-esteem had blossomed, and I could be crushed by thoughtless and ignorant words. I also had no role models. There… [Read more…]
September 27, 2012
There is one common denominator when it comes to your healthcare, and this is the most vital piece of the puzzle that will help you remain as healthy as possible. Physicians and other healthcare providers may come and go. Diagnoses may be modified over the years as your symptoms change. What remains constant is your… [Read more…]
September 24, 2012
Being a parent who has a chronic illness can be tough. Sometimes we want to shield our children from our struggles and be a “normal” parent. But our kids will inevitably be affected by our illnesses. This doesn’t have to be a negative thing, however. I have always believed that there are rich and profound… [Read more…]
September 20, 2012
The past couple of weeks were tough for the chronic illness patient and advocate community. We lost several amazing people. And when these losses occur, it hits us hard. It reminds us that even when we follow our doctor’s orders and take good care of ourselves, we are still vulnerable. And that’s a difficult reality… [Read more…]
September 18, 2012
It happens in those moments when we are forced to face the reality of our situations and our illnesses — when the truth is so overwhelming and demanding of our immediate attention. Whether it’s a flare-up, the breakdown of a relationship, or having to say “no” to an activity or event we had looked forward… [Read more…]
September 14, 2012
Of all the skills needed to survive in life, one I have found to be quite beneficial is the ability to laugh at myself. Chronic illness is serious business. And no one needs a hearty chuckle more than people like us do! It helps for us to learn to take ourselves less seriously — particularly… [Read more…]
September 11, 2012
I have often stated that living with a chronic illness is a full-time job. And when we attempt to manage a career and a chronic illness, we are often faced with a variety of challenges. Pain and other symptoms such as fatigue can create the need to alter the way we perform our jobs. So… [Read more…]
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October 24, 2012
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