Invisible Illness Week Bloggers Make an Impact!

Are you blogging for Invisible Illness Week?

It’s easy… your topic can be on anything to do with your illness, a friend’s illness, your experience, whatever! We’d love to have join us.

You can also add the badge to the right to let people know and don’t forget to sign up at Bloggers Unite so we know where to find your blog so we can come read it!

Every little bit helps!

Popularity: 3% [?]

Order Brochues Soon!

Have you ordered Invisible Illness Week cards yet? These 4 x 9 “rack cards” are a heavy glossy card stock like what you see in hotels which is why the shape is called a “rack card.”

You can use either side as the back or the front. One side tells all about Invisible Illness Week, the other side has information on what to say/do for a chronically ill friend.

• They are perfect to hand out to friends or family members who may be interested in the virtual conference.
• Have them available at a resource table.
• Leave them at your local fitness center, doctor’s office waiting rooms, anywhere they will let ya!
• Be sure to give some to your local church. The people in charge of serving the elderly or chronically ill may want them to pass along.
• Call your local hospital and see if you can drop some off for their waiting areas or to post on the bulletin board.

Popularity: unranked [?]

Why I Rode Space Mountain and Celebrated Irresponsibility

If I had paid any attention to the warning signs before I got on the Disneyland ride, Space Mountain, a high-speed, turbulent ride not recommended for those with weak stomachs, heart problems, etc. I never would have gotten on. Or if I’d been able to see it zipping around, I may have avoided it.

The truth is, despite this being my favorite childhood ride, I’ve skipped it a lot in the last 16 years since being diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis.

But this last weekend, although I have physically been in a new season (translation – in a lot more pain and with permanent joint damage), I had a few motivating factors to get on the ride.

One, my six-year-old son was with me and I wanted to surprise him. Mom is always the one that sits on the sidelines. And while I won’t risk havoc on my body for a 20-second  jerky roller coaster they pop up at the fairgrounds, I will for a “smoother” Disney coaster. Afterward when we asked him what he thought about it he said “I was shocked” and “It was awesome!” I’m glad I got to experience that with him.

Secondly, I used a wheelchair the entire time, even from the hotel over to the park, so I wasn’t thoroughly thrashed by the time I stepped out to get on the ride. Usually just walking 10 more feet to get on a ride is enough of a deterrent, but I was in decent “shape.” And putting some of my silly pride aside and using the wheelchair I got to experience a great deal more of our vacation.

And thirdly… well… I just wanted to throw caution to the wind and do something out of the ordinary.  (Even, dare I say it? Irresponsible!) After 11 months of my body demanding its own way all of the time, culminating in a diagnosis of diabetes last week due to my high blood sugar, I thought I’d show it who was in control. I was in control of my body and I wanted to go on Space Mountain. (Add in a little feet stomping there like a 2-year-0ld.)

And you know what? I was fine. Funny how I can barely climb 15 stairs without my knees popping out of place, but a good thrasing around on a track is exhilirating. How many times had I said, “I’ll just wait for you. I can’t do that. I shouldn’t really go on that?” A lot. And I didn’t want anyone counting on me. One look at the Autotopia cars and I said “I’ll meet you at the end.” There was no way Icould get in and out of those!

But surely a roller coaster gives my body a strong, fast dose of endorphins and they are also pain relievers. So, with that theory, we went again the next day. As I waited in line beside other people in wheelchairs, or with scooters and canes I saw anticipation on their face, and when they exited, exhilaration, joy, just pure fun. Faces were flushed with the thrill.

Those of us with chronic conditions are some of the bravest people I know. And if we have to sit through MRIs with knocking and vibrations, why not go on Space Mountain too? The burdens were lifted and lessened even if just for a couple of minutes.

I know my limits. I wrote this blog in a notebook while sitting at a table while my husband and son went on the Matterhorn. Even if I could stand the jolts in that ride, I couldn’t get in and out of the low car one must ride in. But for now, I can still grit my teeth and grab my husband’s hands and slowly pull myself up out of the car of Space Mountain. Unfortunately, since we were in the car for those with disabilities, we never saw our photos. But trust me… I did it. (And small secret, I want to do it again.)

Lisa Copen is the founder of Invisible Illness Week and also Rest Ministries, a Christian organization that serves the chronically ill. She is also author of a few books, including Why Can’t I Make People Understand? Discovering the Validation Those with Chronic Illness Seek and Why.

Popularity: unranked [?]

20 Things Not to Say to an Ill Person

People have good intentions when they say things to someone with an illness, but it comes out all wrong. #iiwk10

Join us for 20 tips in 20 days on what NOT to say to someone who is ill – Please RT! #iiwk10

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#iiwk10-Things NOT to say to an ill person #1 – You look so good today! – see more http://ow.ly/eYpo

#iiwk10-Things NOT to say to an ill person #2 – You just need to get out of the house more – see more http://ow.ly/eYpo

#iiwk10-Things NOT to say to an ill person #3 – If you stop thinking about it, the pain will go away – see more http://ow.ly/eYpo

#iiwk10-Things NOT to say to an ill person #4 – You should just pray harder – see more http://ow.ly/eYpo

#iiwk10-Things NOT to say to an ill person #5 – You must not want to get better if you won’t try this – see more http://ow.ly/eYpo

#iiwk10-Things NOT to say to an ill person #6 – When I was your age I didn’t have the luxury of being sick – see more http://ow.ly/eYpo

#iiwk10-Things NOT to say to an ill person #7 – You’re sick again?? – see more http://ow.ly/eYpo

#iiwk10-Things NOT to say to an ill person #8 – I wish I could just sit around all day – see more http://ow.ly/eYpo

#iiwk10-Things NOT to say to an ill person #9 – No pain, no gain! – see more http://ow.ly/eYpo

#iiwk10-Things NOT to say to an ill person #10 – I’d be sick too if I saw doctors as much as you do – see more http://ow.ly/eYpo

#iiwk10-Things NOT to say to an ill person #11 – I have this juice that is working wonders… – see more http://ow.ly/eYpo

#iiwk10-Things NOT to say to an ill person #12 – You must still have sin in your life – see more http://ow.ly/eYpo

#iiwk10-Things NOT to say to an ill person #13 – If you got a job you’d have something else to think about – see more http://ow.ly/eYpo

#iiwk10-Things NOT to say to an ill person #14 – Your illness is caused by stress – see more http://ow.ly/eYpo

#iiwk10-Things NOT to say to an ill person #15 – You can’t be in that much pain. Maybe you just want attention – see more http://ow.ly/eYpo

#iiwk10-Things NOT to say to an ill person #16 – What have you done to make God so mad at you? – see more http://ow.ly/eYpo

#iiwk10-Things NOT to say to an ill person #17 – There are easier ways to get attention – see more http://ow.ly/eYpo

#iiwk10-Things NOT to say to an ill person #18 – It’s not good for your kids to always hear you whining – see more http://ow.ly/eYpo

#iiwk10-Things NOT to say to an ill person #19 – When are you going to get rid of that cane? – see more http://ow.ly/eYpo

#iiwk10-Things NOT to say to an ill person #20 – I’m so glad to see you out and about feeling all better – see more http://ow.ly/eYpo

Popularity: 11% [?]