Friday, 10 April 2020. Issue #208.
In this issue: Using nasty experiences as an opportunity to turn the tables for advocacy purposes. The ableism that is rampant in the workplace and society, as accommodations can clearly be made as seen in this pandemic, but aren’t. Chronic pain doesn’t give you a break; it trails along even on holidays, and many are driven to suicidal thoughts. It only makes sense that those with chronic illness and disabilities are a little bitter about the current COVID-19 accommodations, as they are things that we’ve been asking for for ages but have received little support. Medical gaslighting has been around for centuries, especially for women who are deemed ‘hysterical’ and ‘mental’ by a mainly male dominated medical field. A physical therapist with over 25 years of experience, whose aim is to help those with chronic pain and disability regain their quality of life. When your ‘luck’ consists of catching tuberculosis, dengue fever and more from off the streets. The confusion that comes after dissociation, where you need to poke yourself just to know you exist for real. The positive upside to the COVID-19 situation – more patients are speaking up, and now is the time to share our self-care experiences and expertise. The hope that after the coronavirus pandemic ends, that society at large will remember those of us whose lives are still constrained by chronic pain and illness.
"Should someone go out of their way to make us feel uncomfortable, perhaps we can turn the tables, and take it as an opportune moment for #education": https://t.co/hOz6p4bS42 #humanity #opportunity #advocate #advocacy
— A Chronic Voice (@AChVoice) April 4, 2020
“This whole experience exposes the #ableism that runs rampant throughout #society. The response to #oronavirus proves that #employers can make #accommodations, they just don’t want to": https://t.co/ED1jXRwCzw @TheMightySite
— A Chronic Voice (@AChVoice) April 4, 2020
"That is, #pain that never ends, that goes on and on, day and night, trails along on #holidays, and even when you take leave from work. Many who live with a chronic or #mentalillness are at high risk of #suicide": https://t.co/v3jvCp53gd #InvisibleIllness
— A Chronic Voice (@AChVoice) April 3, 2020
"If #disabled or #sick people are getting salty..it’s cos they have reason to be. A lot of us hv been stuck like this for yrs..many of the options that wld make things much more #accessible..hv only..become possible now there’s a threat": https://t.co/ugv1syhhEW @HannahRadenkova
— A Chronic Voice (@AChVoice) April 5, 2020
“#medicalgaslighting is not a new phenomenon, it has been going on for centuries. Historically, #women have always been pegged 'hysterical' & 'mental' by men & the predominantly patriarchal #medical profession”: https://t.co/nfDmGEyN0V @JourneyFog #ChronicPain #MentalHealth
— A Chronic Voice (@AChVoice) April 4, 2020
"Cynthia Hill is an #OccupationalTherapist with over 25 years of experience. She aims to help her clients – many of whom live with #chronicpain or #disability – regain their #qualityoflife as best as they possibly can": https://t.co/6sXyPlBgFU #PainRelief
— A Chronic Voice (@AChVoice) April 7, 2020
"I’ve been quite the ‘lucky’ girl over the years, having acquired #tuberculosis, #dengue, and other mysterious ailments off the streets": https://t.co/Ps1SCGznIu #immunocompromised #Lupus #SpoonieProblems
— A Chronic Voice (@AChVoice) April 6, 2020
“Coming to after #dissociation is a very weird thing, I’m usually a bit #confused & just randomly poke and touch my face to try to remind myself I’m real, and I try to observe my surroundings and come back to myself": https://t.co/enJyuipg9m #MentalIllness #MentalHealth #spoonie
— A Chronic Voice (@AChVoice) April 8, 2020
“More and more #chronicillness #patients are speaking up. They are sharing their fears, struggles, and victories! Now is our time to share our #selfcare expertise!”: https://t.co/njVbVtdaWT @TheDisabledDiva #StrongerTogether #covid19
— A Chronic Voice (@AChVoice) April 3, 2020
“I hope that after, the current #pandemic ends that the abled body remembers that although they have regained what they had lost, there are many out there who will still experience #loss and the #grief": https://t.co/tfv3vHx1ON @serenebutterfly #ChronicIllness #isolation
— A Chronic Voice (@AChVoice) April 7, 2020
*Note: This article is meant for educational purposes, and is based on each person’s individual experiences and circumstances. It is not to be substituted for medical advice. Please consult your own doctor before changing or adding new treatment protocols.
Read More: Sometimes, Physical Pain Isn’t the Worst Part About Chronic Illness
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I like your blog sooo much. I am a health blogger, M.S patient who knows how it is like to be strained with your illness.
Keep up your work
What a great collection of thoughtful and thought-provoking Tweets! This is such a strange experience for all. It is surreal to hear “normal” healthy people complaining about isolation and lack of social interaction when we deal with it every day!
Thanks for pulling all these together into one place!
Sue
Finding a New Normal: Living Your Best Life with Chronic Illness
Thanks, Sue! I love compiling these on a weekly basis…I find it relaxing lol, and also interesting to see what’s tops each week…can be surprising! Yes I’m actually a little annoyed with the complaints because it’s nothing, seriously. If they are well and healthy at home, it’s great. I might just write a post about it soon… :p Sending love and take care!