Pain + Work = ???

The combination can go well, like a burger with fries.  You may be able to accomplish great things despite pain, and work can be a focus away from discomfort.

Or it can feel like trying to whip up a 10-course gourmet dinner…  in 5 minutes…  with your eyes closed.

But what if you had a short-order chef helping with that burger, or Julia Child behind you all the way?  Well, support, advice and wisdom is here for you on the subject of work and chronic disease.

Rosalind Joffe (of CICoach.com) and Joan Friedlander have written Women, Work and Autoimmune Disease:  Keep Working, Girlfriend, which a great resource.

The book, which is strongly pro-work, reviews:

1. The benefits of working, including money and health coverage, as well as enjoyment and self-esteem.

2. The challenges to working when coping with a chronic illness, such as fatigue and the unpredictability of illness.

What is wonderful about the book is that it doesn’t shy away from tricky subjects such as, Should you discuss your illness with your boss or co-workers?  And, What do you do when you physically can’t do your job.  Instead it gives thoughtful, knowledgeable advice.

Women, Work and Autoimmune Diseaseis easy to read and practical.  I particularly liked the complex, real-life examples.  Both authors are experts in this field – Rosalind coaches people through these issues everyday.  And both women also understand these issues personally, having dealt with MS, Crohn’s disease, and Ulcerative Colitis.  I strongly recommend adding this book to your reading menu!

Work + Pain = You Can Do It!  This book shows you how to do the math!

P.S. I’d encourage you to sign up for Invisible Illness Week updates.  Invisible Illness Week is next week, but they’ve started the party early and are posting lots of wonderful stuff!  Rosalind is even doing a presentation and coaching.

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