chronic illness

Invisible Illness Week 2012

Raising Awareness for Invisible Illnesses through Support and EducationOne thing I look forward to every year is Invisible Illness Awareness Week (IIAW). IIAW was started by Lisa Copen, founder of Rest Ministries, in order to not only help create awareness for invisible illnesses but also provide encouragement, support, and education for individuals with chronic illness.

Each year, IIAW includes a virtual conference which includes seminars covering a wide range of topics such as parenting with illness, dealing with relationships, and staying positive in face of adversity. In addition to the seminars, there are also featured blog posts throughout the week. I was honored enough to have my post 10 Things I’ve Learned From Chronic Illness featured during last year’s event. There is also a meme that is great to participate in called 30 Things About My Invisible Illness You May Not Know. This is not only a great educational tool for friends and loved ones but it is also great to visit the link up and meet other spoonies and compare stories (here is my 30 Things post).

By signing up for the newsletter, you will also receive an 80 page e-book filled with 263 tips for living will illness!

In honor of Invisible Illness Awareness Week, I am giving away a copy of Lisa Copen’s book Beyond Casseroles: 505 Ways to Encourage a Chronically Ill Friend!

To enter, leave a comment telling me what you wish people understood about invisible illness! That’s it (although I would love a tweet or two spreading the word)! A winner will be drawn on Friday! GIVEAWAY CLOSED 9/14

Winner is Eric! I’ve sent you an email! Congratulations!

chronic illness

Sharing Our Spoons – September Goals

Excited to be relaunching Sharing Our Spoons! Initially we tried to make this a weekly link-up but working on five goals a week was pretty intensive and way too much pressure so collectively we decided to try making SOS a monthly link-up! I think this will allow for some short-term goals but will help create long-term perspective as well!

Here are the goal guidelines:

  1. Physical: could be weight loss or exercise related or it could be goals like eating more veggies or cutting soda
  2. Mental/Emotional: take a day to be alone, write a letter, paint, etc
  3. Spiritual: start a new devotional book, commit a certain amount of time a day for prayer/meditation
  4. Something fun: Take time to treat yourself – maybe a pedicure or Starbucks (if you don’t typically splurge for specialty coffee)
  5. BONUS: One thing to get you out of your comfort zone a week – try something new, sign up for a class you maybe have been putting off.

Progress link-ups will be posted the first Tuesday of every month!

 

Here are my goals for September:

  • Physical:Cut back to one soda a day. Since my surgery, Coke has been my trusty companion because of the nausea. Now that we have the nausea controlled to a minimum, its time to cut the cord. So far I’ve been lucky enough to maintain the 20 lb weight loss from surgery but I need to start making healthier choices starting with soda.
  • Mental/Emotional: Schedule lunch with a former professor to help gain perspective on the impact of this most recent surgery and help reassess my goals as far as how my illness affects my ministry.
  • Spiritual: Read How to Start A Chronic Illness Small Group Ministry by Lisa Copen and continue to pray for God’s guidance in whether or not to start a group locally.
  • Something fun: Participate in What I Wore Wednesday blog link-ups at least 3 times this month.
  • BONUS: I am working on a big project which is definitely taking me out of my comfort zone! MAJORLY! I cannot wait to share the details with you guys and will definitely need your help once it’s launched! I don’t want to share too much right now but it revolves around taking a big step to help spread endometriosis awareness!

 

What are your goals for the month? You can link up your blog post in the linky below or leave your goals in a comment!