Reflections on Invisible Illness Awareness Week

Invisible Illness Awareness Week is nearly over. I am sitting at the computer reading through some of the many the blogs, articles, comments and more that people have been posting on their experiences facing a world who does not understand their pain.

Wow.

Truly. . . wow.

You have been refreshingly honest, yet hopeful.
You have shared your pain, but kept it in perspective.
You have shared your hurt feelings, but without bitterness.

I am in awe of all of you who have shared your hearts. . . and your hopes.

Here are a few of the things that I have read that touched me deeply.

• I get so depressed when people just don’t get why I don’t or can’t do things they are so unaware of the pain and exhaustion. So, I just have been trying to get the message out there [about Invisible Illness Awareness Week]!
• Between work, pain, fatigue and friends I’ve become rather isolated because of it all. But taking it just one day at a time.
• I have to take so many medicines, and I am so just so tired of the whole thing – that is until I read this article. After I wiped away the tears, I began to realize that I have to start to really ‘live’ with the fact that I will have to take some of the medications for the rest of my life – and that’s ok.
• I attempted suicide in 2004 because the burden of pain and emotional distress was too much for me to continue battling. It was an eye-opening experience where I learned that I had to live for my three children. They were the reason that I decided to call my husband and tell him what I had done. And it’s still because of them that I continue to push through day after day of pain. God spoke to me that night and said to me, “You have three babies downstairs.” That voice was so loud and clear and distinctly not mine. I knew it was Him telling me to live for them. So I did.

You may not be surprised about the pain that people feel, but I also hear so much hope.

You have shared things like. . .

• So I’m here to encourage all of you to live. There can be joyous moments in between the pain.
• The point is, think of things that you are capable of doing, that you really enjoy, and do them! Don’t let your pain take over your life! Your pain does not define you
• Coping with a crisis is and probably always will be hard. But with a better idea of what helps me push through I have more confidence in my ability to survive just about anything. You can do the same by coming up with an approach that suits your needs and tendencies before you need to cope with your next crisis.
• I shared the hurt I felt and explained how I did not want to feel pitied or be a burden. My family and friends reached out and I opened my heart and let them in. Something happened, something magical that brought us each closer to one another.

It is so easy for illness to cut the confidence, attack our personality, and end relationships. Each of you have said in some way, “I can accept this illness without allowing it to define me.”

This year’s theme has been “Deep Breath, Start Fresh,” and throughout the posts and the comments, you have put this theme into eloquent words that express this in beautiful ways.

My deepest thanks for all the ways you have helped those with invisible chronic illnesses and hidden pain this week. You have stepped forward, crossed the comfort zone, and shared your heart and your hope and you have made a significance difference.

Lisa Copen is the founder of Rest Ministries and she lives in San Diego with her husband and son. She is gradually learning how to balance motherhood, family, illness, and ministry, but she still knows it will be a lifetime lesson. You can see the books she has written, including, Why Can’t I Make People Understand? at the Rest Ministries shop.

Popularity: 12% [?]

Featured Workshops Today: Working and Chronic Illness

If you are one of the millions of people who live with a chronic illness and yet you still get up and go to work every morning, you may find there is a lack of resources for your particular situation. Although you may feel as though you do not necessarily fit in with the career-oriented people who are healthy and not suffering from challenges on a daily basis, you may also feel that you do not specifically relate to those who are home a great deal of time and not able to physically work.

We have found some wonderful resources for you and you will discover that having chronic illness does not prevent you from also having an exceptional career. Although the career you have originally chosen may no longer be possible due to your situation and physical limitations, that does not mean that there are not thousands of career options that you may still choose from, a few which are likely to feel passionate about.

In fact, you may find that having a chronic condition may help you narrow in on your passions and what you enjoy the most, and thereby, make your career choice, an intentional one which can serve you in years to come.

Join us for a couple of workshops where we speak about careers and chronic illness and working well when chronically ill.

Are you interested in “Finding the Job You Desire and Can Do? Rosalind Joffe will be you through the process of looking at what your abilities are (and yes, your inabilities now) and how to go about choosing a wise career path that can work well with the and picked ability of your chronic illness, as well as those leadership skills you have mastered due to managing your illness effectively.

You will also hear from some people who have started their own business, such as Jennie Krogulski who is the founder of Hilton Head Nannies and works each day to best accommodate her career path as well as the daily difficulties with her chronic condition. Rosalind Joffe built on her own experience of living with chronic illnesses for 30 years, including multiple sclerosis and ulcerative colitis, when she founded cicoach.com. And Trish Robichaud is a Maximum Life & Healthy Relationship Coach who lives with multiple sclerosis & major depression. See Illness, Work, Career, and Starting Your Own Business

You also have the opportunity to hear from Lisa about starting Rest Ministries, the founder of Invisible Illness Week. She shares how she has Managed Chronic Illness and a Nonprofit Organization.

This year instead of having a live virtual conference we are featuring some amazing workshops from past years. You can find them all here on Blog Talk Radio or, if you use itunes, enter “invisible illness” under “podcasts” and then download them to a music player to listen to anytime. >More instructions here

Popularity: 5% [?]

Featured Workshops Today: Communicating With Others

Communicating is a big deal when it comes to making some practical steps toward living with joy. We recommend the following workshops from past years.
“Helping Others Understand Your Pain” with Karen Lee Richards, a writer and patient advocate who works at HealthCentral and lives with fibromyalgia.

It’s OK to say NO: Building Healthy Boundaries” with Jenni Prokopy is a nice reminder that we are allowed to take care of ourselves. Jenni is the founder of chronicbabe.com and a journalist.

And “How You Can Help Those Who Help You” with author Jo Franz who lives with multiple sclerosis.

Times get tough when you are “Coping with Crises on Top of Chronic.” Join Jenni Saake (founder of Hannah’s Hope: Seeking God’s Heart in the Midst of Infertility, Miscarriage & Adoption Loss ) and Lisa Copen founder Rest Ministries, as we chat about surving crises in the midst of Chronic illness. Between the two of us, Lisa and Jenni have survived 45 years of multiple chronic illnesses including Chronic Fatigue Immunity Dysfunction Syndrome (ME/CFS), rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia, diabetes, endometriosis, infertility, chemical sensitivities and more.

These women know that life doesn’t stop just because we are in pain. Hear us share our hearts and experiences through surgeries, infections, IV therapies, broken bones, unemployment, adoption journeys, and grief ranging from miscarriages to the deaths of grandparents. We will share a few survival skills for coping with the stress of everyday life when crisis hits.

This year instead of having a live virtual conference we are featuring some amazing workshops from past years. You can find them all here on Blog Talk Radio or, if you use itunes, enter “invisible illness” under “podcasts” and then download them to a music player to listen to anytime. >More instructions here

Popularity: 5% [?]

Is Living With Illness Choosing to Give In?

Lisa Copen

Nearly one in two people live with an illness, and most chronic illnesses are invisible. Conditions such as chronic fatigue syndrome to diabetes rarely have visual side effects that people can see. It creates a challenge for those who live with invisible daily chronic pain, symptoms, and side effects.

For example, though I look fine on the outside, I have lived with rheumatoid arthritis for 18 years. It has been degenerative, despite the best of medical treatments. Recent tests have revealed that I have shoulders that are so disintegrated it’s amazing they still work, knees full of pieces of bone and old blood clots, and osteoporosis.

I have started seeing a new rheumatologist who I hope will more aggressively treat my disease and slow down its progression. I am 42. I told my physician, “My son is 8. I need at least 10 more good years. What can I do to make this happen?”

Despite the detours, I have had the opportunity to build a nonprofit organization of nearly 15 years, to serve those who live with chronic illness, through a Christian foundation of faith. Although I believe God still heals today, He rarely does it according to our schedule. In the meantime, there is a strong need for friendship and support.

Between my family and ministry, I have ample reason to get up out of bed each day and not allow my illness to define me.

I have never given in and allowed it to consume me.

But because I do not enter marathons, audition for reality TV show contests on deserted islands, or sign up for karate class, some people assume I have.

“You’ve just given in to your illness,” I have heard from both strangers and friends. “You need to fight it more.” This is often followed by their specific advice on what I need to do to “fight it.”

What defines “giving in” to your illness? There are a variety of ways that people who do not have an illness define the actions of those who are ill.

1. We are not using the alternative treatment of product that they sell that will make it all go away.

My husband was recently berated by a friend’s wife, “We are so mad at you guys!”
“Why?” he asked.
“Because you won’t try the water!” she replied.
Honestly, I’ve done my research and if I am going to go with a marketing scheme that promotes health benefits for just $200+ a month, it will be the chocolate one. I mean, who doesn’t like chocolate?

2. We are seeking health assistance from doctors or medical specialists.

A friend on recently posted on a social network that he cured himself of a disease by ignoring the “mumbo jumbo of doctors” and asking his dad for advice. He claims he “never gave in.” In his eyes, because I am seeing a rheumatologist with “MD” behind his name, I have chosen to give in. No one cares that my rheumatologist happens to have his own clinic about specialized medicine, and that has written books on the alternative treatments he uses with patients, in addition to Western medicine.

3. We are pacing ourselves.

Chronic illness uses up a great deal of energy and only the one who lives within the body knows what they can and cannot do on particular days. Sometimes we have to give it our best guess and make a choice, not positive if an event will cause us to be tired for twelve hours or four days. When we choose to not attend an outing we’d planned on because we are in deep pain, we frequently hear, “Oh, you are just giving in to your illness. You are letting it control you.” No, we had to make a choice and we did. Healthy people will understand this when they reach about age 80.

4. We are not where someone wants us to be spiritually.

We all grieve, we question, and we sometimes get depressed, regardless of our faith. But if these emotions are noticed by others they are quick to offer the spiritual version of “Don’t worry, be happy.” We are told that we are allowing the sin in our lives to get the better of us and it’s causing our illness. We are not praying consistently, or hard enough, or in the right way. One man recently told me that I needed to try a particular alternative treatment (that he happened to sell) and if I did not, then it was obvious I was just giving in to my illness and really did not want to get well … and that God knew that!

5. We are not doing physical activities that we are expected to do.

If you watch well known magazines written specifically for those with certain illnesses, even they are guilty of featuring people who have the disease but are still able to do extreme physical activities. A person with rheumatoid arthritis may run a 25-mile marathon and are quoted saying, “I chose to never give up.” I have chosen to never give up either, but I am blessed to get my feet into extra-wide diabetic shoes and walk around the grocery store. My own limitations, or those of one who uses a wheelchair each day, is not something that is a measurement of determination or stubbornness about our disease.

Each person who live with a chronic illness knows the daily difficulties in finding a balance between living his life in the fullest way possible, and managing his disease effectively at the same time. There will be many times that our choices do not make sense to people around us. When we hold back from a new treatment or a fun outing, we will be told we are “giving in” and letting our illness define us. And when we take a chance and stretch ourselves, we will be told we are not thinking things through or considering the consequences or risks involved in our choice.

If you live with a chronic illness, only you are capable of making the wisest choice possible based on many factors. If you love someone with an illness, be cautious in sharing your opinion about his or her decisions. If you are genuinely concerned, instead of offering advice, ask questions, such as, “I know you must have given a lot of thought to your decision to (fill in your blank here.) What was it that persuaded you?”

About the Author: Lisa Copen is the author of “Beyond Casseroles: 505 Ways to Encourage a Chronically Ill Friend”, founder of National Invisible Chronic Illness Awareness Week and Rest Ministries. She is a sought-after speaker who brings joy, humor, and hope, to those who live with chronic illness, from her own 18-year journey with rheumatoid arthritis. This article was formerly featured at the Huffington Post where you can read 40 comments.

Popularity: 14% [?]

“You Look So Good!” To Wear Make Up or Not?

Michelle Williams

Makeup can cover a multitude of defects; including some of the signs of our illnesses. I notice that when I wear makeup not only do I look better, but my demeanor changes as well. Makeup seems to be a little pick-me-up in the way I feel about myself, even if it is for a short time.

I realize that it may be a sign of vanity; that we should embrace what God has given us. I believe I am just enhancing what God has given me. What I mean is that I am just covering up the imperfections the many years of chronic illness has left behind and shining forth the image that God has originally created.

At the same time I also notice that people will treat me differently when I am wearing makeup. When I wear makeup I look healthier and in so doing I will get the old, “You look so good–you must be feeling better!” Don’t you just wish they would stop at, “You look so good”? When they add the other you feel like you need to explain yourself. “Thank you, but makeup covers a multitude of flaws. I really feel. . .”

Even my doctors will say something like that if I wear makeup to my appointments. When I don’t wear makeup to my appointment the doctor will ask if I am depressed. I will tell him, “No, I just want you to see how I feel as well. The yellowish complexion, the blotchy rash on my face and nose, the dark circles under my sunken eyes, the multitude of colors in my complexion. . .“

No matter what people may think or say, I wear makeup more for me. I seem to feel better about myself. I know it is just camouflaging the outward signs of my chronic illness, but at least every time I pass the mirror the multitude of times I have to go to the bathroom each day, I don’t have to see those many imperfections that my illnesses have left behind.

If wearing a little bit of makeup each day gives me a little pick-me-up then so be it. I just wish people would just stop at, “You look so good!”

About the Author: Michele Williams lives in a beautiful mountain community in Pennsylvania with her husband of 37 years who is a Pastor and Teacher at a Christian school. They have a grown daughter, son-in-law, teenage grandson and three furry children. Through the years the Lord has called them to various ministries in the United States where Michele has been involved in all aspects of church ministry in addition: Pastor’s Wife, Child Evangelism, Regional Women’s Ministry, Wellness Ministry, Speaker, Counselor and Writer.

Michele has experienced various life challenges including living with multiple chronic illnesses since 1985. Some of those include: fibromyalgia, osteoarthritis, peripheral neuropathy, interstitial cystitis, IBS, chemical sensitivities, asthma, sleep apnea, and treated for SLE lupus (among other illnesses). She enjoys encouraging and informing others through her blog: Beelieve You Can!, http://www.beelieveyoucan.net

Popularity: 15% [?]

Healing Words

Deanna Nichols

“The words of the reckless pierce like swords, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.” -Proverbs 12:18

Yesterday I had a great conversation with a health and fitness coach with whom I recently started working. Not only did she give me some great ideas to work toward my personal goals, but I also found myself leaving the conversation with a lot more hope than I’ve felt in a long time. It’s interesting I should be so hopeful because I’m really having a tough time physically right now. And we also spent a fair amount of time discussing my past history of chronic illness, a topic that usually drains me and makes me sad.

Instead, she was able to focus on the accomplishments I’ve made in the past two years toward a healthier me.

I later realized my coach did a simple yet powerful thing: she used her words to bring healing–healing to my spirit and even to my body. After we spoke I was more inspired to remain on the path of a healthy lifestyle, and I was so energized by hope that I went ahead and started my new exercise program that I’ve been putting off for months because I didn’t feel well enough to try. Which, in turn, inspired me to eat healthy and work out again today. And maybe I’m imagining things, but my current flaring health symptoms seem to be better too.

Recently I’ve had a lot of reckless words spoken into my life and my health situation. Well-meaning family members, friends, and doctors have said things that to some degree, robbed me of hope, faith, and joy. It’s been a fierce battle in my heart to fight off the constant barrage of negativity their words created. What a contrast with my experience yesterday!

This is a great lesson for all of us. Before we share that “helpful” idea or something “the Lord laid on our heart” that our loved one “needs” to hear, let’s ask ourselves if we are planting seeds of hope and healing or if we are truly piercing them with the sword of our reckless words.

“Set a guard over my mouth, O Lord; keep watch over the door of my lips.” (Psalm 141:3)

About the Author: Deanna Nichols is a woman of faith searching for purpose in the midst of a lifetime of physical illness and pain. She has been diagnosed with narcolepsy with cataplexy, polycystic ovarian disease, Hashimoto’s thyroid disease, and many others. Her chronic illnesses make it impossible for her to work or even drive, so she is mostly home-bound. She is on the Board of Directors for her family’s commercial lawn maintenance business, is an avid reader and book reviewer, and uses social networking to encourage people with chronic illness, educate those without illness, as well as to share what she’s learned regarding natural health. She lives in Northeast Florida with her husband of 12 years and their 5 furry children. Read Deanna’s blog A Fragile Faith.

Popularity: 5% [?]

What Does it Mean to Accept Your Chronic Illness Diagnosis

Lana Barhum

Acceptance is one the toughest things that anyone of us has to do. Whether we are accepting the loss of loved one, moving to new town because of a job transfer, getting divorced, or accepting that we have to live with sickness and pain, acceptance isn’t easy. With chronic illness, the sooner you accept your diagnosis, the sooner you can work on being healthy.

I know that this really does make much sense but from experience, I know that it is a process and it takes time and trial and error to learn to how to best live with chronic illness.

 

My diagnosis

When I received my rheumatoid arthritis (RA) diagnosis, I promised myself that RA would not win and I remember the feelings of fear, denial, numbness and skepticism. My emotions changed from day to day and even several times a day. Feeling hopeful or optimistic were a long ways down the road and acceptance–well, that was something I never thought would happen.

In the beginning, I promised myself that RA wouldn’t win but all that happened was that I became depressed even though I insisted to everyone in my life that I wasn’t. The only thing that kept me going was that I knew that my children needed me to be their mother and chronic illness didn’t change that. My new RA diagnosis felt like a death sentence and the information on the internet make me feel that the disease would disable and disfigure me in five years’ time and end my life in ten years. A few months after my rheumatoid arthritis diagnosis, I was also diagnosed with fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) and the blurry reality of what was my life started to become clearer.

I had spent ten years trying to find answers and one day I had them. What I realized at that point was that I had the power to heal because I had already started to find out how by searching for and finding answers.

As a result, I started to educate myself and arm myself with information about rheumatoid arthritis and fibromyalgia that made sense. I sought support from others who were living with the disease and I knew that if I wanted to get better, I had to accept that a handful of pills weren’t enough.

Looking beyond the physical symptoms

I also looked at my life as lesson after lesson of patience, strength and survival. Having RA and FMS were the same as any other struggle that I faced in my life and they would probably be easier than some of those struggles. When I looked at my diagnoses as just another thing that made me who I was, I learned to accept that I had no control of what happened but I had control of the response as I had when other obstacles impeded my life.

The person that I was at that point in time was already prepared for RA and FMS and while it wasn’t easy or clear at first, I accepted RA and FMS in my life not because I wanted but because I had to.

Of course, it wasn’t easy to get to that point because living with an invisible condition (or two or three or more) isn’t that simple. And steroids, a lack of energy, physical pain, and weight gain can take a toll on you and blur your perceptive.

You lose a lot of friends and there are a lot of people who don’t understand but what the illness doesn’t control is how we respond, how we fight back and how we go on the defense against the war waging inside our bodies. The disease doesn’t get easy but we start to realize how exceptional we are to be able to overcome so much.

Why you should accept your chronic illness diagnosis

One you are diagnosed with any disease, invisible condition, and/or chronic illness, it will always be a part of your life and the sooner that you accept your diagnosis, the sooner you can learn how to live with your disease. It is also how you will cope and how you will learn to understand that your diagnosis isn’t a death sentence. The only thing that your diagnosis has to be is something you have to live with and once you accept it, you can learn how exactly you will do that.

Chronic illness is kind of like life with its all ups and downs but living with an invisible chronic disease is like life multiplied and so very complicated. It is never ending roller coaster of pain and emotions.

There is also about a lack of understanding amongst your family, your friends, your coworkers, and even complete strangers. It is about living life without knowing what tomorrow will bring and it is an emotional battle on a daily basis. Moreover, it is a bitter pill to swallow and unless you accept all these things, you will never be able to get past your diagnosis.

How you accept chronic illness in your life

In order to accept chronic illness, take a look at the advice you have received–pace yourself, manage your condition well, educate yourself, advocate for yourself, surround yourself with emotional support and don’t let the disease define you. This advice is your guide through the roller coaster of symptoms and emotional setbacks. The only thing that can prepare you for that next flare-up is experience.

There will be days where your pain and fatigue are under control. There will be days when you feel productive and that you are in control of your life and your body again. It will not feel like a death sentence forever. On the other hand, there will be days that it will feel like the disease is in control when you are in pain, you are tired and you can’t focus or get anything done. The disease doesn’t get easier but getting through those really bad days does get easier.

Make conscious decisions

As a long time sufferer, I have learned that there can be more good days by making good choices. You have to do all the right things like eating right, taking your medications, being active on good days, and resting on bad ones. It is a learning process like anything else in your life and the setbacks–they are part of life too. You can’t control the setbacks regardless of how well you plan and a flare-up can come on at the worst possible time.

All you can do is wait to feel better and you can’t always predict how many good days you will have so try not to overwork yourself because you don’t know when your next good day will be.

Accept that it’s not all in your control

Understand and remind yourself that a chronic illness is unpredictable. There is not much that you can do except to realize you have to adjust and adapt to the moments that the disease brings havoc to your life. While it doesn’t define you as a person, it can still define your life.

The best thing you can do for yourself is to accept that you have to be flexible to live successfully with your chronic invisible disease. The disease might be your new reality but learning to be flexible means that you accept chronic illness in your life not that you give up. Your life will never go back to “before your diagnosis,” but it can get close to it if you open your mind to what you need to do to get to that point where you can accept diagnosis in a way that means you don’t give up.

About the Author: Lana Barhum is an advocate for two online support groups, one for arthritis and the other for fibromyalgia. She was diagnosed three years ago with rheumatoid arthritis and fibromyalgia. She also works in the legal field and is a mother two very active boys. She has a blog titled: “Living Life As I See Fit” where she writes about living life with chronic illness.

Popularity: 13% [?]

5 Ways to Cope in a Crisis When Living With a Chronic Illness

Diana Lee

Taking a little time to come with ideas for how to handle a crisis is a valuable exercise for anyone living with a chronic, invisible illness. After all, to live with a chronic illness is to know that a crisis will come your way at some point. This list comprises the things I’ve learned about how to cope when life throws you a curve ball. As I’ve matured and had to learn how to deal with changes brought about by chronic illness, it has become easier and easier to cope with things I never thought I could handle.

(1) Breathe

By focusing on breathing I can keep myself in the moment and stop my brain from running wild with all the “what ifs.” It’s always the best place to start when something goes wrong.

 

(2) Focus on being rational and maintaining perspective

It’s in my nature to start flipping out during a crisis. It takes a concerted effort to keep myself thinking rationally. I do my best to keep reminding myself that I can handle whatever has been thrown my way and that freaking out does nothing but make me upset. The older I get the easier I find it to do this. I used to completely lose it and go into hysterical crying with any crisis. I still do that sometimes, but much less often.

(3) Lean on family and friends

In addition to my husband, parents, and closest friends, I’m part of a fantastic, close knit message board of women who provide the most amazing support both day-to-day and in a crisis. It’s like our own little Internet family. I don’t know what I would do without them. The online migraine and chronic illness community is an incredible source of support, too.

Discussing your situation with people who truly understand because they are living the same thing is amazing. Turning to other people also often helps me discover options and solutions I would never have thought of on my own.

 

(4) Ask for help

This is hard for me. I don’t like to need to ask for help. I want to be independent. But when push comes to shove sometimes it would be downright stupid to suffer silently when someone who loves you could do something to make things easier for you. Not everyone is lucky enough to have a supportive family or group of friends. Since I do, I should let them help me. They want to.

(5) Be kind to myself

I have a scary tendency to chastise myself for any part I think I might have had in bringing about a crisis. For instance, if I’d only tried harder I wouldn’t have lost my job. Never mind that I was dealing with three years of constant migraines when I quit working. It’s much easier to deal with a crisis if I can have compassion toward myself and remember that most crises are just a fluke rather than something I deserve for being a bad person.

In conclusion. . .

Coping with a crisis is and probably always will be hard. But with a better idea of what helps me push through I have more confidence in my ability to survive just about anything. You can do the same by coming up with an approach that suits your needs and tendencies before you need to cope with your next crisis.

About the Author: Diana Lee lives with chronic migraine disease, occipital neuralgia, diabetes, polycystic ovary syndrome and depression. She blogs about living with chronic pain, migraines and depression at her site, Somebody Heal Me, and interacts with other patients on Twitter, Facebook and Google+.

She is a licensed attorney, but is currently on disability because of the frequency and intensity of her chronic intractable migraines. She is married and mommy to two furbabies, Felix the cat and Maisy the Jack Russell Terrier. She loves reading, mindfulness meditation, watching college football and basketball, reality TV, laughing and being an advocate for other patients.

Popularity: 10% [?]

“30 Things About My Chronic Illness ” Meme

Last year hundreds of people participated in our “30 Things” Meme. We’d love to hear from you again (A new year may bring new answer, so even if you filled this out last year, we would love to see your answers this year, as well! ).

This is a great way to blog about your invisible illness too. We may say, “No one understands!” but have we really given them the chance to?

Fill this out, post it on your blog or on Facebook, etc. and then let your friends and family know. You may even be surprised to find out who you know who is living silently with his or her own invisible illness.

Be sure to comment below with the name of your blog and where it’s posted so we can come read it!

30 Things About My Invisible Illness You May Not Know

1. The illness I live with is:
2. I was diagnosed with it in the year:
3. But I had symptoms since:
4. The biggest adjustment I’ve had to make is:
5. Most people assume:
6. The hardest part about mornings are:
7. My favorite medical TV show is:
8. A gadget I couldn’t live without is:
9. The hardest part about nights are:
10. Each day I take __ pills & vitamins. (No comments, please)
11. Regarding alternative treatments I:
12. If I had to choose between an invisible illness or visible I would choose:
13. Regarding working and career:
14. People would be surprised to know:
15. The hardest thing to accept about my new reality has been:
16. Something I never thought I could do with my illness that I did was:
17. The commercials about my illness:
18. Something I really miss doing since I was diagnosed is:
19. It was really hard to have to give up:
20. A new hobby I have taken up since my diagnosis is:
21. If I could have one day of feeling normal again I would:
22. My illness has taught me:
23. Want to know a secret? One thing people say that gets under my skin is:
24. But I love it when people:
25. My favorite motto, scripture, quote that gets me through tough times is:
26. When someone is diagnosed I’d like to tell them:
27. Something that has surprised me about living with an illness is:
28. The nicest thing someone did for me when I wasn’t feeling well was:
29. I’m involved with Invisible Illness Week because:
30. The fact that you read this list makes me feel:

Are you blogging for Invisible Illness Week? Be sure to sign up and let us know at Bloggers Unite!

Popularity: 18% [?]

Invisible Illness Week Now Accepting Articles For This Site

We have now opened up over submission page for articles and blogs to be featured on this website in the coming two months. I am looking forward to hearing your feedback on what it is like to live with a chronic condition that is invisible.

To submit your complete article, bio, and photo, click on the link above that says “Submit Article.”

Here are some of the topics we are looking for and your post should be trained 300 and 750 words.

• Our theme this year is “Deep Breath, Start Fresh” – what does this to you and how you live chronic illness?

What has your experience been in coping with…

• Physical needs that are not apparent to others because you look well
• Expectations from those around you, from your spouse to your boss, because you look well
• How your children perceive your chronic condition
• How you choose to reveal or not reveal the seriousness of your illness
• How you deal with your illness on a daily basis. When it is invisible is easier to deny the seriousness of it?
• The looks. . . when you park in a handicapped spot legally to when you explain your unable to walk very far
• Still finding joy in life despite some limitations
• How physicians and other medical care professionals don’t even understand that your pain is quite invisible
• How do have sought to bring awareness about invisible illness as in healthcare advocate
• How you have tried to explain to your loved ones about having invisible illnesses or a hidden disability
• and the list goes on!

We are eager to hear from you about the emotions of living with a chronic condition, how you have found yourself dealing with difficult circumstances, how you overcome the need to stay in bed and hide from the world are most difficult days, what ever is on your mind!

Before you submit your article you should have a third person biographies ready to go that is less than 150 words and contained only one week. If you submit more than this it will be edited and you may not be pleased with which part we keep. Please do not submit a link to your article on your website but rather the actual article, which you will copy and paste into our form. If it does not have the article in the form, it will be deleted.

And if you are talking about your illness or Invisible Illness Week we hope you will join our Bloggers Unite group so that other people can be sure to visit your website and read your postings.

Thank you so much,
Lisa Copen

Popularity: 9% [?]

Next Page »