Hello girlfriends.

It’s good to be back. If you’ve been a member of this community blog for a while I’m sure you’ll agree that Rosalind has done an extraordinary job keeping abreast of the news and resources of interest to women who are navigating the workplace while living with a chronic illness.

If you’ve appreciated her efforts, I hope you’ll take time to tell her. And make a note of Rosalind’s 2nd blog, WorkingWithChronicIllness.com. Another great site you’ve got to check out.

It’s a very exciting time for Rosalind and me. Just this last week we were asked to take a look at the first round of editorial changes by the publisher, and we’ve seen the cover. It’s real, it’s real! I’m confident this book will become a resource for many women living with autoimmune or chronic illnesses that require them to figure out how to remain economically viable while taking care of their bodies.

It will also be a conversation opener. Just last week I had coffee with my son and his band-mates (all in their early 20’s) and both of the 2 women at the table knew about autoimmune illnesses. Not only that, they knew someone living with one.

I was 36 when I first became ill and no one was talking about it. We’ve certainly come a long way!

In Sickness and In Health is a blog written by Barbara Kivowitz for couples going through an illness experience. In a recent entry, she reported and commented on the results of a survey released Oct. 11 by Evercare, a provider of health plans for people who have chronic illnesses. They reported that 82 percent of 1000 respondents said they knew someone with a chronic illness.

Not only that, but according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services , by 2020 about 157 million Americans will be afflicted by chronic illnesses. This is unfortunate for our society. At the same time, it may grow to be enough people to take chronic illness out of the shadows and into the light. I certainly hope so. It pains me to realize just how many people are handling such an overwhelming, critical life issue in the shadows.

Through my son’s friends, I’ve noticed how open young people are to talking about what’s real. I don’t know if my son’s friends are unusual or the norm. If the norm, perhaps they’ll help those of us from earlier generations start talking more openly and directly with employers about creating working environments that are more friendly to people with special health needs.

Joan

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