The cracked Zebra

New year, new you... Right? How about maybe we try something . . . a little different this year.  Maybe this year can be the year of self-love.  The year we finally recognize the things we accomplish every day. Even if it is just a day of rest. I don't know about you but I have spent most of my life being told what to do, what to think, how to be....with a body that just wont cooperate. So many rules, so many expectations.... I want this year to be different! This year lets parctice  Here are some suggestions to try to be just a little kinder to yourself this year... 1. Practice self-care! Prioritize activities that promote your physical, mental, and emotional well-being. This can include regular exercise your body can handle, eating as healthy as you can each day, and getting the amount of sleep YOU need. Make sure you are taking time to engage in activities you enjoy and don't steal all your energy. Things that bring you joy and relaxation. 2. Set Boundaries! Learn to say no

Have you ever stopped to think about how people who get into an accident are given time to mourn their losses yet people who are diagnosed with a genetic condition or other health ailment are usually not.  This baffles me.....  Getting into an accident and losing abilities is hard.  I know people who have been perfectly healthy one day, get in an accident, and never walk again.  This is tragic!  They spent months in the hospital. Even more months in rehab all the while working with a therapist to help their mental state and dealing with such a profound loss. They were loved on, held, and supported by nurses and social workers ready to help them along the way and comfort them for as long as they needed. They were given room to grieve, as well as the tools and support they needed to get through this tragic ordeal.  My heart broke for these individuals in their time of struggle and I loved the way their communities rallied around them to ensure they knew they were not traversing this road

  Day 31 – How Can Others Raise Awareness Today is the last day of Ehlers Danlos awareness month.   WE MADE IT!!! I must admit I am quite proud. Today will be my last daily post for a bit. I will still be blogging just not daily. Daily is a lot! Especially while dealing with chronic illness. This was the promise I made to myself that I would not break. I wanted to write a blog every day of EDS awareness month and I did it! I really hope someone was able to learn something.  For the last day I want to focus on other ways to spread awareness.  The other one I worked hard on was contacting the CN Tower in Toronto. They lit the tower up in black and white on May 21st. I was so happy to see the muted colors of the cn tower. It wasnt flashy, but neither is EDS. It lurks in the shadows and hides, causing problems until it eventually gets found. It took me over 40 years to understand what was going on in my body and I am so glad I did. I want to help others find the answers they need by spread

  Day 30 – Accommodations That Would Help Me The Ehlers Danlos society shared with us the following about Accomidations. It was so good I wanted to share it as is to you all... Enjoy! An accommodation is a change that removes a barrier and helps you to work around your condition or disability. Accommodations provide equal access to people with disabilities and simply offer support to account for challenges. Examples of accommodations include giving keyboards to students who struggle with handwriting, flexible work hours, and ergonomic or adaptive office equipment. What could help you to manage better at home, school, university, or in your workplace? What accommodations could teachers, employers, and others make to enable you to thrive in certain environments or situations? Family and friends can also be accommodating to our health concerns, such as understanding when plans need to be canceled due to health issues, or adapting plans to ensure the environment is suitable for our current

  Day 29 – What To Say To Someone With Chronic Illness We all may have a list of things  not  to say to someone with a chronic illness, but what about things you  should  say?  I'm gonna stop by for a visit. this is one of my favorite things to hear from a friend. I love it when one or two people come to visit me in my home. Home is my happy place. It is where all my stuff is. All the stuff that keeps me healthy and comfortable. I know the seating will be comfortable, I know the food won't make me sick and I know if something did happen I would have whatever I need available when I need it. This reduces all the stress I have from going out. I don't even have to brace up if I don't want to. I can just sit back and relax with a good friend. Now that's the life! _________________________________________________ How can I help you?   This is another phrase I like to hear. I DO NOT like to ask for help. Asking for help was always a sign of weakness growing up so it is no

  Day 28 – 3 Things You’re Grateful For A day of gratitude! Talk about 3 things you’re grateful for. I am a very blessed person. I have so many things in my life that I am thankful for. Is at the absolute top of my list! I have a fantastic husband who works hard at everything he does. He always wants to be the best at everything from being a good husband to a great father, and provider for our family. He even does the little things like emptying the dishwasher and making sure the hot tub is clean and healthy for my therapy. He really is a gem. Then there are my 7 beautiful children. From oldest to youngest there are so many blessings mixed in. Each child is growing each day to be the best human they can be. They are all Kind and thoughtful individuals who truly make this world a better place and I am so very thankful God entrusted them to me for the time he did. Although most of them are off-adulting in the most fantastic ways they will forever be my babies. That probably sums me up. M