To bear that which you think you cannot bear is really to bear.
(Nitobe)
Not everything will mend
Some people are unfortunate enough to be born with a genetic
disorder/disease/condition.
For other people, illnesses are contracted throughout life.
Some illnesses are a natural by-product of aging.
The problem with many illnesses is that they will not go away.
A genetic disorder cannot necessarily be cured with existing medical technology.
Other ailments do not always respond well to treatment.
You may experience improvement but remain far from cured.
Sometimes, all you can do is accept your condition and learn to live with it.
Aging
Aging is not an illness.
Vast medical resources are committed to repairing 'aging'. This is absurd. Aging
is a natural process.
The money and time spent on anti-aging treatments could be better used
elsewhere, dealing with bona fide problems such as cancer.
Taking illness seriously
Ignoring an illness is foolish. The condition may well get far worse.
People are usually given a list of do and don'ts by the doctor. This is
often ignored because it means compromise.
Although a regime of healthy living may not appeal, it may improve your quality
of life considerably.
Addressing diet, exercise and lifestyle habits may not cure your ailment, but
you might feel stronger, calmer and more able to cope.
Tai chi
Tai chi does not aim to
cure/heal any specific condition. It is not for that. Be wary of
spurious claims.
Tai chi improves your overall wellbeing.
If this helps your condition, it is a positive side-effect.
Depression
It is easy to become depressed when you are seriously ill or have a
chronic condition that will never heal.
The despair comes from frustration and anger.
Let-go of these emotions.
Be in the moment. Here and now. Cherish each breath. Each mouthful of water.
Each sound. Each touch. Each and every moment of your life.
Spirit-level
Some ailments linger in the background, ever-ready to flare-up and make
life difficult.
Finding balance can be awkward.
You may have to live cautiously and methodically, or make sacrifices.
Other people may find your lifestyle changes to be odd. So what?
You are not accountable to anyone else. Do what feels right. What works for you.
No two people are the same. There is no generic treatment.
Taking responsibility for your own wellbeing is not easy. But it might
improve your life immensely.
For example: a person who suffers from basilar migraine or hemiplegic migraine
cannot live a 'normal' life.
Everything revolves around not having a migraine attack.
An attack will mean paralysis, speech loss, vision loss, incredible headaches
and extreme sensory awareness.
You could suffer a stroke or go into a coma.
It might be necessary to spend a lot of time in darkness. To avoid bright light,
LED's, reflected sunlight, noise and emotional stress.
Holding down a 'regular' job is probably not a viable option.
Your entire life is a process of balancing. There is no equilibrium. Just
continual adjustment.
Go easy on yourself
You do not need to apologise for being ill. You do not need to feel
guilty.
Unless you have directly caused your condition through substance abuse (smoking,
drugs or alcohol) or lifestyle choices, then it is not your fault.
It is difficult enough coping with a debilitating illness without having to
apologise for it.
Do not beat yourself up.
Go easy on yourself. Take life in your stride. At your own pace. On your own
terms.
Be honest. Be realistic. Be open. Be receptive. Be patient.
Page created 18 August 1999