Welcome to the eighteenth day of the National Health Blog Post Month Challenge hosted by WEGO Health. Every day during the month of November I will be writing a new blog post related to health and living with a chronic illness based on given prompts provided by WEGO Health.
Today’s prompt reads:
Three Truths and a Lie: Tell us three things that are true about you, your condition, your Health Activism, or your life. Now tell us a lie. Do you think we will be able to tell the difference?
So, you think you know my health condition? Let’s see! Can you spot the incorrect statement from the four statements below?
The dizziness that I experience is constant
The spastic paraparesis only affects my legs
Both hot and cold weather affects my legs
The vertigo is triggered by visual disturbances
Do you know which is the incorrect statement? Choose which one you think the wrong statement is in the poll below and I will reveal the answer tomorrow!
Welcome to the seventeenth day of the National Health Blog Post Month Challenge hosted by WEGO Health. Every day during the month of November I will be writing a new blog post related to health and living with a chronic illness based on given prompts provided by WEGO Health.
Today’s post reads:
Invisible Illness versus Visible Illness: What are some stigmas you have experienced with your invisible OR visible illnesses that have made you feel invisible? How have you tackled them?
Etymologically the word ‘stigma’ derives from the Greek word stigma, meaning a mark of disgrace either made from branding or pointing. The mark was used to mark individuals who were seen as different, and by branding such individuals with visible marks it made it possible for society to avoid them. In modern times, although many groups of society are not marked in this way, they still are shunned by society. And those individuals living with illnesses; either visible or invisible are just one example of a group that are still being rejected by the wider society.
As I am someone who has lived through illness at times when it has been both invisible and visible, I can categorically state that stigma occurs in both of these categories. Obviously, when the illness is invisible, however, it is harder for people to stigmatise individuals with such conditions as you cannot tell that there is a problem with them, unless it has been divulged to them. These social networks however may be an example of a group that stigmatises an individual because of an invisible illness. For example, I know many people who constantly live with fatigue, and often as a result have to cancel appointments or plans with others because of it. Friends and acquaintances however do not tolerate or accept this behaviour as they cannot imagine or accept that tiredness can have such an adverse impact upon a person, and as result can perceive the individual as being lazy or uninterested in their friends.
We need supportive friends when living with an invisible illness and to be believed and supported
Also, with many invisible illnesses, those suffering with such conditions do not always look sick, and consequently many do not acknowledge the fact that they are in fact sick, and the term “But you look so good!” is therefore banded about. It is this lack of looking unwell, that results in many not believing a person when they do divulge that they are sick and has become one of the most common stigmas of invisible illnesses. Another common stigma associated with invisible chronic conditions is the train of thought that such individuals do not deserve such privileges such as a disabled blue badge; a stigma that I myself have faced on several occasions and have written about in a previous post entitled ‘Becoming Visible in an Invisible World‘.
Being in a wheelchair can make you feel as if you are invisible!
However, as I am at the stage where I need a wheelchair going out, my condition therefore is now much more visible, so what are the stigmas that I have faced whilst living with a visible chronic health condition? The first that I have really noticed is the feeling that the condition and disability is taking over my personal identity; the often feeling that people see me as the ‘girl in the wheelchair’ rather than the person I am. An example, of this is the fact that when I have been out recently, people often talk to my carer or the person I am with instead of talking directly to myself. This can be demoralising, and feels as if people perceive all individuals with disabilities as being unable to hold a conversation. My problem is with my legs and not my intellect, I often feel like screaming. It’s as if that because people need to look down on us, in the literal sense, then it must mean we all need to be pitied or looked down upon, metaphorically speaking.
When people do not talk to me directly, which I have encountered on numerous occasions, this definitely makes me feel very much invisible. The way I have tackled this problem, is by holding my head up high and starting conversations with people on checkouts; and in shops as a way of subtly letting them know that although I am in a wheelchair I do not need someone to talk for me; I find it does work and the same cashiers have not done it again!
Do you live with an invisible or visible health condition? What are some examples of stigma that you have personally faced? As ever would love to hear your thoughts and experiences as well as any other comments you may have! Feel free to comment below…
Welcome to the Health Activist Writer’s Month Challenge brought together by WEGO Health – a social network for all health activists. Again, I am participating in the annual Writer’s Month Challenge in which I will be writing about my health activism and health condition based upon prompts given.
Today’s prompt reads as follows:
You made it! 30 posts in 30 days! Today, write a recap of your experience. What was your favourite prompt? Least favourite? What have you learned?
Well, I did it!! For the second consecutive year I have managed to complete all 30 days with no need to use the ‘free-pass’ cards!! It feels like a huge accomplishment especially as I have experienced several bad days. Preparation seemed to be the key this year, especially as I am busy with other activities such as the Monday and Wednesdays groups that I am involved with and the day out once a week with my Personal Assistant means that I am not in the house all of the time, so I had to write many of the prompts before the day that it was published.
Just like last year, I immensely enjoyed the month-long writing challenge – I loved the challenge of all the prompts. The prompts are not only a lot of fun to write but I also feel that the prompts enable us to look and write about our particular health conditions differently than we would normally. For example, some of the prompts required me to write about topics that I might never would normally. For example, the topic of burnout was selected to be discussed from one of the prompts, and if it wasn’t for the HAWMC I might never have written about the topic. One of the prompts that I found particularly challenging was the Acrostic Poem from Day 13 (Acrostic Poem of my Health Condition) – it wasn’t necessarily the subject matter that was challenging as the whole blog is about living with my health condition, but the form itself. I haven’t written a poem in many years so it was quite a challenge being asked to write one – just glad that I prepared in plenty of time and was able to write a decent attempt!
The prompts like always were a mixture of being, fun, challenging as well as being thought-provoking. One prompt I really enjoyed, but initially found very challenging was the post regarding Adversity (“The flower that blooms in adversity…”). I initially found it very difficult to write especially regarding when I bloom best. However, although I found it challenging, I thought in the end it was one of my favourite and best written post! I also loved the prompt which asked us to ‘spread the love’ and thank some of our favourite health activists; this was such a great opportunity for me to thank those who have supported me and helped me through some tough times with illness (Sharing the Love! I would like to thank…).
I would also thankful for the Wordless Wednesday posts, as it gave a break from writing long posts and was fun coming up with creative photographs and drawings to dictate something without using words! Would love to make this a regular feature but would need some ideas! If anyone has links or ideas to do this please comment below and share!
Least favourites? Perhaps some of the prompts that I had written about during previous writing challenges such as the post regarding caregiving (Carers, How to treat those you care for), and discussing favourite social networks (Why I Love to Tweet) to name but two.
Anyhow, regardless of the good and the bad through the experience of this writing challenge it was a challenge that I thoroughly enjoyed and look forward to taking part next year! Thank you WEGO Health!
What did you think of my posts for the HAWMC? What were your favourite posts to read? Any you didn’t enjoy reading? Loved to hear your views so please feel free to leave any comments/suggestions!
Welcome to the Health Activist Writer’s Month Challenge brought together by WEGO Health – a social network for all health activists. Again, I am participating in the annual Writer’s Month Challenge in which I will be writing about my health activism and health condition based upon prompts given.
Today’s prompt reads as follows:
We all know Health Activists are awesome. Share three things you love about yourself, things you’re great at, or just want to share. Don’t undercut or signpost!
This I have to admit is a difficult post for me to write as I am not very good at paying myself compliments. Often, I a self-deprecating and very rarely think about my positive qualities – I often have to ask people to help me pick out my best qualities as I have no clue!
Recently, I have started tapping into my creative side and making greeting cards. At first, I started making them for myself to give to relatives and friends during times of celebration. However, after taking them into my afternoon social group, I instantly had orders from the members asking if I could make some for them to give as cards. Not only do I find it very relaxing sitting down and making the decopauge cards, it also takes my mind off the pain I experience. I have had a lot of compliments from people regarding my cards; so at least other people think that it is something that I am good if I don’t always believe it myself! Here are some of the cards that I have made:
Writing is something that I love doing, and this blog has turned into a big passion of mine. I love sharing my experiences and thoughts with others, and there is nothing more satisfying as a writer than receiving comments from others and telling me that they enjoyed my writing and they were able to relate to what I wrote in that particular post. I have had the fortune to receive comments on my blog, Facebook or on Twitter how much people enjoy my writing, which means so much. Writing is something that I have always been good at, and so was the main reason why I decided to start the blog as a way of raising awareness of neurological conditions.
Another thing that I love is my breadth of my general knowledge! I love nothing more than playing general knowledge quizzes whether this is watching quizzes on television; playing board games such as Trivial Pursuit or taking part in a pub quiz. At my local group, one of my nicknames is ‘Quiz Bandit’ as I tend to know the answers to a lot of the questions asked, and many times have seen my team to victory!
So there are 3 things that I am good at! Took me a while to even come up with these – but in the end I managed it! So, what are some of the things you are good at, or love about yourself? As ever, please feel free to comment below….
Welcome to the Health Activist Writer’s Month Challenge brought together by WEGO Health – a social network for all health activists. Again, I am participating in the annual Writer’s Month Challenge in which I will be writing about my health activism and health condition based upon prompts given.
Today’s prompt is as follows:
Create a must follow list for your community on a single social network. Share your top 5-10 tweeters, bloggers, or Facebook pages.
I so wish that I could share some fantastic resources and tweeters who share the same condition in which I live, however, the condition seems to be rare and have yet to meet anyone with the same diagnosis. However, I have had the pleasure to meet some truly fantastic people through Twitter, and who often sends me words of comfort or support through my own struggles and have become great friends in the process. So, if you are on Twitter please follow them and find out for yourself how kind and beautiful they all are:
I have met so many wonderful people on Twitter but I was only able to choose up to 10 to share with you today. For all those not included, know that I truly value your friendship and kindness you have shown me. Thank you x
Who are your top tweeters/bloggers/Facebook Pages? Please get in contact and share them below!
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