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Welcome to the 4th Day of this re-working of the ’12 Days of Christmas’ chronically ill style – where we share for 12 days what we are ‘chronically’ thankful for twelve days using given categories (as shown above).

So on the 4th day of Christmas….I was given a book.  Just like with films, I am a huge book lover, some might even say a complete book-worm (seriously I have just finished a book which I only started under 24 hours ago!).   So, choosing just one book to say that I am thankful for is so tough!!

One of the most inspirational books that I personally, have ever read is that of ‘The Diary of Anne Frank’.  Of course, everyone knows the story of Anne Frank, and how her entire family and other Jewish associates were held up in a small flat in Amsterdam for over two years, in hiding from the Nazi’s.  This book, is a true testament to the strength of a young girl and other just like her, whilst also telling the horrors of the Holocaust.  The book is a great example, which demonstrates everything we often take for granted – freedom being the most obvious theme.  It is a book which is though-provoking and makes us thankful for everything in our own lives.

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I am so sorry everyone for missing yesterday and the 3rd Day of Christmas!  I had yet another bad day so really didn’t feel like writing, instead comforting myself with a night in front of the television, snuggling up with a blanket.  So today is a catch-up day with Days 3 and 4 of the 12 Days of being ‘Chronically’ thankful!

So, on the 3rd day, we are asked to write about a person we are thankful.  Normally, I would write about my Mum or dad but I have written about how I much I am grateful for them before.  So, I was instead asking myself who else I am thankful for?  And the answer would be my new Personal Assistant.

Before employing my personal assistant, my days were mostly the same – being stuck inside the house, staring at the same four walls, even doing all the same things.  I was definitely stuck in a rut.  Now at least once a week, my P.A takes me out, and not only to places where I am familiar – I have even started visiting new places, experiencing different new ventures.  And not only is my P.A opening new worlds to me but she is even committed to finding different clubs or associations that caters for people around my age in similar circumstances, to provide me with new opportunities to socialise with others as well as gaining new support and information on anything which can benefit me and improve my overall quality of life.

And for that I am thankful!

 

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Time for the ‘Second Day of Being Chronically Thankful’, and today’s category is…film.

This is a really hard category for me as I am a bit of a film lover, and have many DVD’s in my collection – some for thrills, lots of laughs and many filled with much drama too!  So selecting just one is really difficult!

But I would say that I am ‘chronically thankful’ for one of my favourites – ‘The Proposal’ starring Sandra Bullock and Ryan Reynolds.  A romantic comedy telling the story of Canadian boom editor Margret (Bullock), who after finding out she is due to be deported from the United States as her Visa has expired concocts a hilarious scheme to pretend to be engaged to her long-suffering assistant Andrew (Reynolds)….

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This film is so funny, and never fails to make me laugh, even on those days when the symptoms are making my life hell, instantly cheering me up and putting a great big smile on my face!!

I’m ‘chronically thankful’ for that….

 

What films are you thankful for?…

 

Hey Everyone

How are you all doing?  I hope everyone’s preparations for the Holidays are going well.  I noticed on Facebook  that someone I follow added this to her wall:

 

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I thought this was such a great idea, that I have decided to incorporated it into my blog.  Being unwell the majority of the time is exceptionally hard – if is often an uphill battle some days just to get out of bed, or to complete those chores that need doing.  There are instances when it seems that you are unable to cope when symptoms are just so bad.  So, it is critically important to remember the little things that we are thankful for, those little things which makes it easier for us to cope, or simply by putting a smile on our face during those bad days.

As you can see from the above image, for every day for 12 days we are asked to name something that we are thankful for in each of the 12 categories.  The first category is ‘song’.

So what song am I ‘chronically’ thankful for?  Well, there are so many songs that are out there which I love, puts a smile on my face or helps me remember a time where I was happy.  But I would have to nominate the Lady Gaga hit ‘Born This Way’ as a song which makes me thankful.

It is a beautiful reminder that we are all different, and that those differences which makes us unique are also those which makes us special and beautiful.  I often will listen to the song on those bad days and be reminded that it is OK to be different from others.

Living with a chronic illness like mine, a neurological condition which can produce many unusual and invisible symptoms such as dizziness, legs which suddenly collapse with no warning and a dislike to high ceilings, it can often make me feel really odd or have even called myself a ‘freak’; a comment I have also heard from others.  So to have a song which reminds me that I am not, and it is these differences from others which makes me a snowflake – unique and beautiful.

And that makes me thankful!

 

 

Today’s prompt is all about giving thanks for what we are grateful for; or what we are excited about or inspired by.  Thought I would cover all three!!

I am grateful for…

  • Firstly, I would say that I am grateful for the good days that I do have.  The good days seem to be rare these days, but I am grateful for when they do come around.  Having some many bad days, and feeling unwell, fatigued and weak; as if though if everything is an effort; so when good days present themselves, boy are you grateful!!  Having a little more energy to do chores, legs being stronger, and not as dizzy is a real blessing; and means that I can accomplish more and manage to have a little bit of fun!!
  • My new wheelchair: I am giving thanks to this new mobility aid, as it will enable me to be able to get out of the house a lot more, and more importantly it will enable me to stay out for longer.  Before I acquired the wheelchair, I was only able to go out for short periods of time due to the severe weakness in my legs, and especially as they give way if I am on my feet for very long.  Therefore, much of my time was spent in the house, much of the time alone.  Now I have the wheelchair however, I can go out for full day trips taking in shopping, or local tourist attractions.  Looking forward to it!
  • My family and my dog!: They have to be the biggest thing that I am grateful for – whenever I am unwell or feeling down, they are always there to pick me up and comfort me.  If I need something or need to go somewhere then they my parents will pick what I need up when they are out, or take me to appointments or wherever I need or want to go. They are all simply the best!

I am inspired by:

  • Other bloggers: I love to read other bloggers and health activists blogs.  Every one that I read are truly inspiring and shows a lot of strength and courage to spread awareness of their particular condition, as well as talking and discussing the painful or unpleasant symptoms that each of us face.  It would be so easy to just simply hide away and curl up in the duvet when chronically sick, but all health bloggers and health activists want to make people more aware and to understand their particular health condition (or the condition their loved one is faced with) and to provide support to those who are also living with the same condition – truly an altruistic act!
  • Reading – I absolutely adore reading – especially as my mobility problems have become worse and cannot move around as easily, so is truly blissful to be able to snuggle up with a great book.  Love those books that are able to transform you to different worlds, or experience other cultures – sometimes it’s as if you are taking a holiday without leaving your home!
  • Nature: I love how beautiful nature can be – the bright bold colours of flowers such as sunflowers or peony daisies, the different patterns and colours on butterflies.  Research has also found that flowers can actually reduce depression! Now if that isn’t a great reason to buy some flowers for a sick friend, I don’t know what is!

I am excited by:

  • I absolutely adore the writer Jodi Picoult and actually own every one of her 19 books, so one thing that I am definitely excited about is the release of her latest novel, usually released in March or April every year.  I always pre-order the latest release, and look forward for when the book gets delivered to me so I can start to devour it!
  • I get excited sitting down and relaxing in front of my favourite television programmes – it feels like an event, and particularly love the American TV dramas such as CSI, Grey’s Anatomy and Bones.
  • Volunteering – I enjoy and get excited by going down to volunteer at a local mental health resource centre every week, and feels really worthwhile giving a few hours of my time to help others

A few of my favourite things!…

What are the 3 things that you are thankful for, or inspired by or those things that get you excited?

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