Comments on: We have a chronic illness, we are not our illness

By: Chronic Health Blog » Archive » 102 Chronic Illness Resources

Chronic Health Blog » Archive » 102 Chronic Illness Resources — Fri, 22 Feb 2008 14:25:21 +0000

[...] 9. We Have A Chronic Illness, We Are Not Our Illness. Women, Work & Chronic Illness. [...]

By: Sue

Sue — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 18:28:13 +0000

I found your site through Kerrie at The Daily Headache. Thank you for your encouragement for those of us who struggle to keep working when so many try to convince us that we are our condition and little else. I am not Chronic Daily Headache. I am more. Much more.

Thanks again.

By: KimSaks

KimSaks — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 15:51:38 +0000

First of all, I want to say how much I like your blog and I’m excited to explore it. I just started a blog of my own about the intersections of chronic illnesses (particularly IC, PFD, insulin resistance, PCOS, etc.) Feel free to link, and I will do the same.

Secondly, I do agree with this BUT I think it’s a realization that comes after time. For awhile when symptoms flare up or before being diagnosed we really ARE the illness to an extent because it consumes so much of our lives. Not being the illness is a powerful thing, and it’s something that comes with time, knowledge, and experience. I think it’s part of coming to terms with the cards you’ve been dealt and that doesn’t come easy. We have other roles absolutely, and at a certain point we’ll learn to assume them again, but in the beginning, in order to get past the illness we have to be the illness to a certain extent.

By: juzjoan

juzjoan — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 00:23:17 +0000

Tom, it’s easy to forget, but it’s true, isn’t it? The same is true for those identities we get positive feelings from. Not to get too esoteric, but it’s the joy of the human dance. Keep dancing.

By: juzjoan

juzjoan — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 00:07:24 +0000

Barbara, I’ve had a very similar experience. When I was first diagnosed I fought hard, and every time I had a flare up I always included one question in case it made a difference. I asked myself if there was anything off in my life that I needed to make right to help me get better. The questioning helped me grow, and I like to believe it helped with healing each time, little step by little step.

It’s that warrior spirit we applaud in all of us. Here’s to yours.

By: Tom Volkar / Delightful Work

Tom Volkar / Delightful Work — Tue, 22 Jan 2008 16:32:04 +0000

I’m inspired by the title of this post. It could just as easily say I have limiting thoughts though I am not my limiting thoughts. It’s very important that we do not take on the identity of our illness, or any physical or mental limitation. Regardless of our challenges we are whole and complete at the core of our spirit.

By: Barbara K.

Barbara K. — Tue, 22 Jan 2008 01:35:34 +0000

Now that my chronic pain condition is fairly well controlled, I can say that it has been the greatest torture and the greatest blessing. I would not have developed in the ways I have had it not been for pain acting as the prod. I wish it could have happened otherwise, and I would never wish it for anyone else, but it was my path.

I’m glad you’re doing this book – it’s so important.