Keep on Blogging for Invisible Illness

Invisible Illness 2009 comes to a close today. It does not mean that if you suffer from an invisible illness or love someone who does you should stop blogging and stop talking about those invisible conditions. It estimated that 25% of the population from some kind of invisible disease. More than half of those people suffer from more than one condition. Only 7% of persons with an invisible condition will use a wheelchair, cane or crutches. The rest suffer in silence. Because of this, we encounter sociocultural indifference and support is limited. Moreover, many invisible diseases even remain controversial even by the standards of the medical community.



There are more than 80 autoimmune diseases that are known to the medical community, and the majority of those invisible conditions. Because of that, there is much indifference when it comes to cultural and social views of such conditions. For example, diabetes, heart disease and cancer are considered invisible diseases, but no one would ever question the limitations of those who suffer from those conditions. Yet, that happens for individuals who suffer from Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Lupus or Rheumatoid Arthritis.



I know there will not be cures for many of the autoimmune diseases that exist, including RA, not in my lifetime at least. I know that Fibromyalgia, RA, and CFS are a part of my life and I have been for quite some time, and a cure is something that is currently out of reach, but I can lower my expectations. I can deal without a cure and I can live my life. However, I want more understanding for myself and for others who suffer from invisible conditions such as these. I don’t want to always explain to others how these conditions affect me, and how taking a vitamin or two, eating better, or even exercising isn’t going to make these diseases go away. These conditions are on their own schedule, and not mine.



So I ask of my fellow bloggers who suffer from an invisible illness or who have a loved one suffering from an invisible condition to keep blogging and keep making their voices heard. Awareness is the next thing to a cure.

30 Things About My Invisible Illness You May Not Know

1. The illness I live with is: Fibromyalgia and Rheumatoid Arthritis



2. I was diagnosed with it in the year: 2007



3. But I had symptoms since: 1998



4. The biggest adjustment I’ve had to make is: not being able to be as alive as I used to be, especially when it comes to playing with my kids.



5. Most people assume: that my conditions are under control because I hide them so well.



6. The hardest part about mornings are: Trying to pick up the baby to get him ready for daycare.



7. My favorite medical TV show is: Grey’s and ER.



8. A gadget I couldn’t live without is: The wonderful jar opener.



9. The hardest part about nights are: It can be hard to fall asleep because of the pain and the feelings of exhaustion.



10. Each day I take 20 pills & vitamins. (No comments, please)



11. Regarding alternative treatments I: I am still thinking about them.



12. If I had to choose between an invisible illness or visible I would choose: visible.



13. Regarding working and career: I wish that my conditions didn’t hinder my success, but they do.



14. People would be surprised to know: I am sick because I hide my conditions so well.



15. The hardest thing to accept about my new reality has been: asking for help, but I am learning one day at a time.



16. Something I never thought I could do with my illness that I did was: talk about it, make it known, and push for awareness.



17. The commercials about my illness: make me crazy.



18. Something I really miss doing since I was diagnosed is: just knowing what the day will bring. I can’t plan like I used to because I never know I will feel.



19. It was really hard to have to give up: working out daily and a lot of my favorite foods.



20. A new hobby I have taken up since my diagnosis is: mediating, praying and blogging.



21. If I could have one day of feeling normal again I would: I would run, dance and sing and do all the things I can no longer physically do.



22. My illness has taught me: patience, acceptance and strength.



23. Want to know a secret? One thing people say that gets under my skin is: people who spend money like crazy or don’t take of their bodies.



24. But I love it when people: give to charity and help others.



25. My favorite motto, scripture, quote that gets me through tough times is: Admiration is the daughter of ignorance. ~Benjamin Franklin. I have learned not to admire and to enjoy what life has already given me.



26. When someone is diagnosed I’d like to tell them: It is all about attitude.



27. Something that has surprised me about living with an illness is: how strong I am and how I patient I have become.



28. The nicest thing someone did for me when I wasn’t feeling well was: Told me I was beautiful, smart and funny.



29. I’m involved with Invisible Illness Week because: I want there to someday be cures for my conditions so that my children never have to suffer as I have.



30. The fact that you read this list makes me feel: Happy, that someone else wants to know now important awareness is.



Find out more about National Invisible Chronic Illness Awareness Week and the 5-day free virtual conference with 20 speakers Sept 14-18, 2009 at http://www.invisibleillness.com/

The Babies and Toddlers Buying Guide

Hey Moms and Dads: Are you stumped when it comes to shopping for the best products for your children. I am the biggest worrier on the planet. I worry about the safety of every product that comes into my home. The Babies and Toddlers Buying Guide is the answer for all those worries. The Babies and Toddlers Buying Guide comes to us from ShopWiki.



Whatever your needs are, you have come to right place to find any thing you need that is a reasonable price to fit your budget and you can compare what is the best bargain out there. The sky is the limit at the Babies and Toddlers Buying Guide. Let me give me an example of how the guide works. I am a mother to two boys so finding clothing for boys is always challenge because boys clothes don’t seem to last too long. Any mother of boys can tell you why, so it is important for me to be able to buy what I need at a reasonable price, and without leaving my home. That is an added perk because boys don’t like shopping; they is as torturous as taking away their video games.



So here I am at the Boys Buying Guide page. First, you are introduced to the sizes. Once you have the size you need, you able to decide what kind of clothing you are looking for: Casual or Dress, or you can look further, popular picks, outdoor clothing and underneath wear. I strolled over to the option on pajamas. When I got there, I was guided by store and price. I scrolled to the SpongeBob Squarepants by Nickelodeon - Toddler Boys Long Sleeved Pajamas, Blue, Yellow for $9 and clicked on that. I was directed to the Bargain Children’s Clothing’s website. I don’t know about you, but $9 is a great deal for a pair of PJs and Sponge Bob, my little guy will be in love.



And it is not just clothing, I also checked out the Nursery Furniture Buying guide. I clicked on the link for toddler beds, because it looks like my little one’s climbing out of his crib days might be over. I was given several options, but went for the theme beds option. (Babies and toddlers are easily amazed.) Again, I was given many options, and went for a reasonably price one at my favorite discount retailer, Walmart. I figured it would the job until my little monster gets destructive.



The Babies and Toddler Buying Guide is a great resource for anything and everything you need, clothing, baby furniture, baby gear, you name it – you will find what you are looking for a price that fits your budget.