30 Things About My Illness Meme to Spread Word About Invisble Illness Week

[Lisa Copen]

We've all seen the list "20 things about me" "50 thing about me you didn't know..." They can actually be interesting if you want to get to know the person better! We'll we've got one I haven't seen anywhere yet, "30 Things About My Invisible Illness You May Not Know."

Just copy and paste it below and put it up on your blog, send it to your friends, paste in on Facebook (if it's too long put it in your "notes" section.)

THEN... post a COMMENT at the Invisible Illness Week web site here with the link to where you posted it and we are going to choose 2 people to receive a prize Sept 5th, 2009.

Let's spread the word about II Week this way and it's a wonderful way to share a little bit about your life. And don't forget to add the last paragraph for people know where to find us!
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You can see my answers here (Lisa)
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Want to help us Tweet it? Thanks! Send this!

RT @invisibleillwk Prize Drawing 9/5! Fill out #iiwk09 meme “30 Things” http://ow.ly/nhgv Post COMMENT at http://ow.ly/nhgv w/ the link 2 answers
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30 Things About My Invisible Illness You May Not Know

1. The illness I live with is:
2. I was diagnosed with it in the year:
3. But I had symptoms since:
4. The biggest adjustment I’ve had to make is:
5. Most people assume:
6. The hardest part about mornings are:
7. My favorite medical TV show is:
8. A gadget I couldn’t live without is:
9. The hardest part about nights are:
10. Each day I take __ pills & vitamins. (No comments, please)
11. Regarding alternative treatments I:
12. If I had to choose between an invisible illness or visible I would choose:
13. Regarding working and career:
14. People would be surprised to know:
15. The hardest thing to accept about my new reality has been:
16. Something I never thought I could do with my illness that I did was:
17. The commercials about my illness:
18. Something I really miss doing since I was diagnosed is:
19. It was really hard to have to give up:
20. A new hobby I have taken up since my diagnosis is:
21. If I could have one day of feeling normal again I would:
22. My illness has taught me:
23. Want to know a secret? One thing people say that gets under my skin is:
24. But I love it when people:
25. My favorite motto, scripture, quote that gets me through tough times is:
26. When someone is diagnosed I’d like to tell them:
27. Something that has surprised me about living with an illness is:
28. The nicest thing someone did for me when I wasn’t feeling well was:
29. I’m involved with Invisible Illness Week because:
30. The fact that you read this list makes me feel:

Find out more about National Invisible Chronic Illness Awareness Week and the 5-day free virtual conference with 20 speakers Sept 14-18, 2009 at www.invisibleillness.com

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DID YOU FILL OUT THE MEME ABOVE? If so, tell us where to find your answers in the comments at the II Week web site and by listing your blog, FB page, whatever, you will automatically be entered to win a prize! We are selecting 2 prize winners Saturday 9/5.

[Lisa Copen]

Get your own list and answer and send it on at invisibleillnessweek.com

Prize Give Away! Fill out #iiwk09 meme “30 Things About My Invisible Illness You May Not Know.” Copy it from our web site here: http://invisibleillnessweek.com/?p=2301 – Share it with others via Facebook “notes”, your blog, etc. THEN… post a COMMENT on our blog http://invisibleillnessweek.com/?p=23 w/ the link to where you posted it and we are going to choose 2 people to receive a prize Sept 12th, 2009.

1. The illness I live with is: rheumatoid arthritis
2. I was diagnosed with it in the year: 1993
3. But I had symptoms since: a few months before diagnosis
4. The biggest adjustment I’ve had to make is: everything-life was never the same and I am always in pain
5. Most people assume: RA is an inconvenience, that is doesn’t impact every part of your life and every movement you make
6. The hardest part about mornings are: getting up, I am very stiff and sore
7. My favorite medical TV show is: It was “ER” for years. Stopped watching a few years ago
8. A gadget I couldn’t live without is: a jar opener
9. The hardest part about nights are: actually sleeping, and getting all the pillows in the right places
10. Each day I take about 20 pills (including vitamins)
11. Regarding alternative treatments I: am open to ideas, but prefer to do my own research not get advice
12. If I had to choose between an invisible illness or visible I would choose: invisible
13. Regarding working and career: I was discouraged I couldn’t fulfill the plans I had, but I’ve found God had something better
14. People would be surprised to know: how deformed my hands and feet are. That the arthritis is in every part of my body, not just “a place.”
15. The hardest thing to accept about my new reality has been: Seeing the progression of the breakdown of my body, despite the medications and knowing the older I get, the harder surgeries will be to recover from.
16. Something I never thought I could do with my illness that I did was: go on roller-coasters! We recently went to Disneyland and I just “did it.” And climbing up slides at the park when my son was a toddler and needed help going down.
17. The commercials about my illness: are nothing like reality. They are very deceiving about most illnesses I think.
18. Something I really miss doing since I was diagnosed is: being carefree, being able to walk on sand down to the beach and just walk forever along the coast.
19. It was really hard to have to give up: being creative with my hands like cross-stitching, quilting, etc.
20. A new hobby I have taken up since my diagnosis is: creative things on the computer like digital scrapbooking
21. If I could have one day of feeling normal again I would: Run. Play with my son, throwing a Frisbee, playing volleyball, running on the beach.
22. My illness has taught me: that life is precious and not to take moments for granted or to take the health of your family for granted. We never know how much time we have with those we love.
23. Want to know a secret? One thing people say that gets under my skin is: I’m so glad you are feeling all better now!”
24. But I love it when people: actually follow through when they volunteer to help me with something. It’s so hard to ask for help, and then when the person changes plans at the last minute because it’s just inconvenient for them, it can be difficult for a person with illness to find a back up (I’m thinking of generalities here, not a specific situation.)
25. My favorite motto, scripture, quote that gets me through tough times is: “My comfort in my suffering is this: [God’s] promise preserves my life.” Psalm 119:50 I put it in my emails and when I autograph books.
26. When someone is diagnosed I’d like to tell them: You are not alone in this. It will be hard, but the most important thing is to turn to God, not away from Him. And to find a friend who understands and will listen to you when you need to talk.
27. Something that has surprised me about living with an illness is: The amazing people you meet who have so much joy and strength in the most difficult of circumstances.
28. The nicest thing someone did for me when I wasn’t feeling well was: Just drop by for 5 minutes with a latte or dinner.
29. I’m involved with Invisible Illness Week because: I want people to know they are not alone in their illness journey and that there is hope and joy despite the pain.
30. The fact that you read this list makes me feel: thankful that you cared enough to be informed about illness, because with 1 in 2 people living with an illness, there are many others you know who can use your encouragement and support. Thank you!

Find out more about National Invisible Chronic Illness Awareness Week and the 5-day free virtual conference with 20 speakers Sept 14-18, 2009 at www.invisibleillness.com