FAQ
I don’t live in the United States. Can I still come?
Yes! One of the best perks is that people from anywhere in the world can log on and listen at no charge at all. It’s all streamed through Blog Talk Radio. All you need is a computer, internet connection, and speakers!
How does this work?
We use Blog Talk Radio for our conference. It’s easy. You can see an overview of information here (at the “overview” button).
Who are your speakers?
We have some wonderful speakers lined up including Bill and Pam Farrell, best-selling author of Men are Like Waffles, Women are Like Spaghetti. See our list of speakers, their topics and what time they will be speaking here.
What will the speakers talk about?
Once our speakers have confirmed, we will post the topic.
What is the schedule for the conference?
The Invisible Illness Week Virtual Conference schedule is here, along with speaker bios.
I am not able to listen to all of the speakers live, what can I do?
You will be able to listen to them any time at www.blogtalkradio.com/invisibleillnessconf or you can download them from itunes onto your ipod. Just search “invisible illness podcast.”
I won’t be in town during the week of the conference.
You will be able to listen to the workshops any time at www.blogtalkradio.com/invisibleillnessconf or you can download them from itunes onto your ipod. Just search “invisible illness podcast.”
Will I need any special equipment?
The only thing that you will need are a pair of speakers connected to your computer! We recommend going to BlogTalkRadio.com and clicking on a few programs to see if your speakers are working.
I have logged on to Blog Talk Radio but I am not hearing anything. I can’t get it to work. What do I do?
First, don’t panic. All programs are recorded so it will be there later. Secondly, here is the help section from BlogTalkRadio.com . Make sure your speakers are also plugged in and the volume on your computer is turned up (Start>Control panel> -then look for something that is Audio/Volume, etc) Lastly, we have room for 4 callers to call in to the show. You can actually listen to the show this way, but we also want to keep the lines open for callers after the workshop. So you can call to listen, but you may get bumped.
What exactly is an invisible illness?
What is an Invisible Illness?
The purpose of National Invisible Chronic Illness Awareness Week is to provide people with the feeling of validation that their pain is real and that they can feel a sense of inclusion for a change, rather than exclusion. We also seek to bring about awareness of countless diseases, conditions, and chronic pain.
With this as a part of our purpose, our definition of “invisible illness” could be considered rather “loose.” Most illnesses are invisible at some point in the disease progression. One with rheumatoid arthritis, for example, may have the disease completely unseen in the first years of the diagnosis, yet it can become more visible as degnerations of the joints occur.
One with multiple sclerosis may go from looking perfectly healthy to being bedridden and then go into remission and have their illness be “invisible” to anyone looking for signs of sickness. Remission may last for months or even years. Or the visual signs may not show, but the illness may still be progressing.
We invite anyone or any organization that represents an illness to be involve with Invisible Illness Week. It is an opportunity to bring increased awareness to a cause you are passionate about while also educating the general public that those with illness may “look so good” but are still experiencing considerable pain.
It is no secret that those with invisible illness may be seen as exagerating their diseases or pain, or even making it up entirely. “The volunteers of National Invisible Chronic Illness Awareness Week hope to call attention to situations such as parking in the blue spots (with a logo that has a photo of the wheelchair) to responding to “advice” by Dear Abby that could be considered irresponsible.
Not just illnesses are invisible. We hope to bring awareness to conditions such as chronic migraines, autism, cancer, to bi-polar disorder. While many of us with an invisible illness have heard “you look so good” moms of children with autism are often told, “If you just disciplined him more…”
If you have to ask, “Do I qualify?” the answer is “Yes!” We’d love to have you join us to bring about more awareness to whatever health or illness cause you feel passionate about that impacts you or someone you love.
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