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10 Tips to Avoid Your Illness Support Group Becoming Depressing

February 3, 2012 By 2 Comments
smileb

If you live with a chronic illness or chronic pain, the odds are that you have at least tried a support group once since your diagnosis. Did the situation go something like this? You felt awful the entire day but you decided to get in the car and go to the support group anyway. You thought it would be good for you. It took forever to find the building at the hospital and then you ended up parking what seemed like a mile from the suite number. You found a chair that smelled like old sweat and smoke and hoped somehow you would find some encouragement. But an hour later you're ready to make dash for the door. Everyone seems to be so depressed! And too many people want to either sell you a juicer that is sure to cure your problems, or … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Articles, Church Leader, Need to Know, Our Best Tips, Support Group Leader Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Resources and Gadgets to Improve Your Health When You are Chronically Ill

January 17, 2012 By Leave a Comment
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By Lisa Copen It is the time of year when many people are setting fresh goals regarding their health. For one who is chronically ill, however, it can be discouraging and you can feel a bit helpless at the lack of options you have available. Well, due to technology, there may just be some new possibilities for you! Here are a few we have found below. Many people do not want or cannot afford an ipad or an iphone to be able to use the apps in many new technological health advances. If these are something you are interested in, you may want to invest in an iTouch for less than $200. It has the ability to do everything an iphone does but make calls, and there is no monthly fee. You can only connect to wi-fi in a "hot spot" (like your home, … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Articles, Exercise, Links, Our Best Tips, Person w/ Illness, What's New? Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

AMC Theaters Offers Movie Times for Those with Sensory Sensitivities

January 12, 2012 By 2 Comments
movies

I love movies. If I am watching a movie at home I feel like I need to be folding laundry or working or something. But sitting in a theater, I feel as though I am allowed (required even!) to sit in the dark and give it my full attention. Not everyone gets to enjoy this temporary getaway, however, when it is all a bit too much for your child's sense--or even your own. So I was thrilled to see that AMC Theaters and the Autism Society have teamed up to allow families who are affected by autism (or other disabilities--anyone qualifies) a chance to see movies in a environment that won't overload their senses. The idea for this program all started when one parent who had a child with autism asked for a special screening at AMC Columbia Mall … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Events, Our Best Tips, Parent of Ill or Disabled Child, What's New? Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Crutches Don’t Have To Be Depressing! An Amazing Story

May 26, 2011 By 1 Comment
crutches1

Debbie Farmer "LemonAid Crutches"(TM) is the first company to create lovely designer crutches in rich, vivid colors and gorgeous, expressive fabrics. Being on crutches can be a sad, depressing experience, but this store makes it a bit more enjoyable and a whole lot more cheerful. On the LemonAid Crutches (TM) web site it shares, "No one wants to be on crutches. They hurt your hands, they hurt your arms and they certainly hurt your sense of style. Many have tried to tackle the challenge of adding comfort to an uncomfortable item, but duct tape and washcloths look…well…tacky. That's why we created designer crutch-wear that's not only comfortable, but fun and fabulous looking." Founder Laurie Johnson's personal testimony to … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Articles, Hobbies, Joy, Links, Our Best Tips, Person w/ Illness, Tools, What's New? Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , ,

How to Swallow Large Pills Without Gagging

February 19, 2011 By 4 Comments
swallow-pill

Ever have some of those pills that look so big you think they belong to a large animal, not a human being? One of the biggest deterrents to my taking vitamins regularly is that some days I just can't swallow those pills without the gagging reflex kicking in. I recently read this tip in a magazine and it really does seem to help. Tilt your chin DOWN when swallowing instead of up, as what comes naturally since we are trying to swallow. Evidently, this position of your throat then opens up the esophagus and closes the windpipe and the pill can slide down more easily! -ljc Related articles When a Pill Gets Stuck (everydayhealth.com) How do I give an autistic child vitamins? (cnn.com) Pill-Crumbling Machines - The Automatic … [Read more...]

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Illness Can Help Us Get Creative in Problem Solving

November 2, 2010 By Leave a Comment
rhonda1

By Rhonda Sawtelle I’ve been busy unpacking in my “new” place. I’m enjoying the remodel results. The unpacking has been moving slowly for several reasons: (1) my pain level can’t take too much at one time: (2) I’m rearranging things. I decided while packing up my apartment, that this would be the time to reevaluate what I have where and why. Throughout the years, I’ve worked on getting things which help keep my pain level lower: sleep number bed in the bedroom, a high table in the kitchen, a shelving unit putting things within my reach (my pantry), and most recently the daybed and new mattress in the living room. Yet, I didn’t think through where things were put and how they affected my pain. Until now. One … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Organizing, Our Best Tips, What's New? Tagged With: , , , , , , ,
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