National Invisible Chronic Illness Awareness Week is officially over, but I hope its positive effect goes on and on. What did you learn from the week? What was your favorite part of this event that raises awareness of invisible illnesses like pain?
You’re invited to share your thoughts in the comments!
Posts this week at How to Cope with Pain in honor of the week:
- 4 Challenges When You Lead an Illness Support Group
- 10 Ways “Invisible” Can Be Funny
- Learning to Accept Help
You’re also invited to read a guest post I wrote over at The Daily Headache about positive strengths that can flourish when we’re faced with illness.
5 responses so far ↓
Lisa // Sep 15, 2008 at 6:28 am
thanks for asking this question! I am eager to hear the responses. As the host of the week, who officially had the honor of getting to interview 20 guests, I discovered just how much “positive” ideas and awareness is out there. Our guests all had a calling, a passion, for a certain area that dealth with illness. Whether it be coaching those who live with illness on finding the right job, or helping people better understand financial disability assistance (like SSI, SSDI or disability insurance) or just how to deal with the challenges of being a chronically ill man or a young woman with an illness, the internet has given us the chance to connect and communicate like never before. It was an amazing week for me personally. Though EXHAUSTING, it was such fun… and people’s comments, calls, emails and prayers all helped me get through it. Thanks to everyone who participated. And if you didn’t… you can still hear all the seminars at http://www.blogtalkradio.com/invisibleillnessconf – they will be available on itunes about the end of September too.
Hannah // Sep 17, 2008 at 5:21 am
hey
this week was fantastic.
i’m 26 and i’m from New Zealand, and i’ve had fibromyalgia for the last 10 years. theres no way i’d have been able to participate in this seminar if it hadnt been online, so thank you so much for that.
i think the most important thing i learned – or relearned, i guess – is that i’m not alone in this. hearing people talk about things i’ve felt alone in thinking, and asking questions i haven’t known how to ask. i think a high point was finding Chronicbabes.com – almost everyone i’ve met in NZ with a chronic illness has been 15+ years older than me, so finding people who were my age but were still determined to have a full life was the best i could’ve hoped for
thank you all
Maureen // Sep 17, 2008 at 9:37 am
I learned so much I don’t know where to start! I actually learned enough from the conference Connie gave on blogging to start my very own blog (which I had been interested in, but didn’t know how to go about!). I learned that there are a lot more opportunities out there to learn, grow and work, than when I was first diagnosed. This gave me a lot of hope. I learned that there are some terrific people out there, trying hard to live fulfilling lives despite dealing with all sorts of illnesses. I “met” some wonderful people who have provided support and help to me.
Everything about this was blessing and I hope that all of the people involved truly know how much they have done to help others through their hard work. Thanks to all of you from the bottom of my heart!
Love and prayers,
Maureen
Http://Being chronicallyillisapill.blogspot.com
How to Cope with Pain // Sep 17, 2008 at 11:22 am
Hannah,
Maureen,
Thanks for your feedback. This was the first year I was more involved, and I also thought it was a tremendous week. Thanks so much to Lisa Copen!
Sistergirl // Sep 17, 2008 at 7:20 pm
I really enjoyed the week, especially since I was going through some pain. The conference really kept my spirits up. I loved the seminar on making money blogging and support groups. THANKS Lisa Copen!
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