Today’s HAWMC prompt is “If I could do anything as a Health Activist . . . “
I will divide this into two areas, my goals for the next three to five years and my ultimate dream if money/time/resources were unlimited.
My dream is to grow A New Kind of Normal into a full-scale ministry. I most definitely plan to keep blogging (as long as you all will have me!). I would love to write a book and I would absolutely love to start a small group ministry for individuals with chronic illness and their caregivers in my area. Both of these goals feel much more attainable since making the decision to pursue disability. Before this week, every last bit of energy was spent in the office leaving nothing behind for my family or the ministry I feel called to. It has definitely been a struggle between trying to keep working to keep the benefits coming in but also knowing that I’m not able to do what I feel called by God to do which is first and foremost being a wife and mother and then being a minister. There is still a lot of unknown about our future as we are only in the beginning of our journey towards full disability (which I know will be a fight and may be lengthy) but I know in my heart that this is what is best for myself and my family. I had been praying and praying for God’s direction and when we had the discussion with my doctor about finally making a decision to pull me out of work, I saw His hand in it. My doctor does not take disability lightly at all (in fact, I will be her first patient that she has put out of work because of endometriosis and its complications) and I know in my gut, her decision was God-led. I am really, really looking forward to what God has in store!
My no holds barred dream would be to open up a “full-service” women’s health care center. I am such a believer in holistic health and treating the whole patient (physically, mentally, and spiritually) and I wish that instead of a patient having to visit six different offices that she could visit one office and see a physician, a counselor, a dietician, and even a trainer. A patient could have a whole team of professionals that would work together to provide total healthcare.
These are some of my dreams for my future as a health activist and I know that I will work towards bringing awareness and education for chronic illness as long as there is life within me! If you could do anything as a health activist (with no limitations!), what would it be?
I would make sure that people who are non verbal would all have access to the funds to pay for communication devices. That is part of my day job which I am very grateful not to have to leave yet. I suspect there will be a time God calls me to though. As per what you said, all my spoons go to the job with few if any left for home and husband. Right now though, it is what keeps me as positive as I can be and from getting depressed and feeling sorry for myself. When I am helping those kids, I am not focused on my pain. Following that, I would make sure that there was significantly more awareness among researchers, medical professionals and potential funding sources about the true need for research into the large # of chronic illnesses that are out there. My particular passion would be Interstitial Cystitis research since it is that and not the fibro that has wrecked havoc with me having any kind of normal life, the ability to have or raise children, to travel and the like.
What an awesome job and what an awesome cause! I completely hear what you are saying about working to stay positive. I think that is one of the reasons why I fought to keep working as long as I did (even though I wasn’t finding my work as fulfilling as you are describing). It just finally got to the point where the negatives from working were far outweighing the benefits. I definitely agree with Interstitial Cystitis needs more awareness and research! I think it is commonly overlooked or misdiagnosed and so many people are suffering as a result!
HAWMC Day 15 Challenge: Pick someone else’s blog post and write a comment to them. Write that comment as your post for today and link back to them to let them know you were inspired.
As always, it was difficult to choose just one. What finally nailed it was remembering the photo of Jamee from A New Kind of Normal. In the photo, Jamee is standing there smiling, hands on her hips, dressed in a beautiful spring dress. That photo is what caught my attention in the first place. It says so much about her spunk, positive attitude, and fighting spirit. Although we may not share the same health problem, we certainly have a lot in common.
Jamee wrote a particularly inspiring post on Day 5 about her dreams as a health activist, and her struggle to come to terms with her disability. Her heart is in the right place, focused on helping others instead of wallowing in her own problems. That’s the secret to living well with any chronic, disabling condition. You are amazing, Jamee, an inspiration to everyone. And now you have one more follower.
thank you so much for your comment! It has been a rough couple of days and your kind words mean so much! The happy tears from reading this were a welcomed change! Thank you so much for your encouragement and support! Comments like these keep me fighting and pressing on!
[…] wrote a particularly inspiring post on Day 5 about her dreams as a health activist, and her struggle to come to terms with her disability. Her […]
[…] wrote a particularly inspiring post on Day 5 about her dreams as a health activist, and her struggle to come to terms with her disability. Her […]
[…] so when they placed Abby in my arms, my greatest dream became a reality. Outside of that, I think my biggest dream is to grow A New Kind of Normal into a full-scale chronic illness […]