My 3 Steps to 'Reclaiming' Life After a Chronic Illness Diagnosis
Life has a way of throwing us curve balls when we least expect them. Chronic illness and disease is at the top of the list of many of our biggest fears. For those of us who receive the unexpected diagnosis of having a chronic illness, it can be absolutely devastating. It changes the structure of the lives we have created and affects our relationships, careers, finances, and our overall mental well-being.
Having a chronic illness can feel hopeless. There are several ways it can destroy your will to continue living life as you have known it. Not only the physical pain it creates, but the mental struggle you begin to endure when trying to face this new reality. Here are my three steps to “reclaiming” your life with chronic illness:
1. Love Yourself — Sounds so simple, right? It can be challenging to do when you have a chronic illness. It’s an important aspect of healing and if your illness does not have a cure, I think it’s the most important part of living with your disease. I recommend making positive choices to combat your illness by creating a wellness program for yourself. For example, eating healthy, drinking plenty of water, stepping out into the fresh air when you can, and thinking as many positive thoughts as you can. Create a series of affirmations to say in the mirror and use them even on your worst days. An example of one is, “I am happy, healthy, wealthy, free, and fearless.” It may not be a cure, but when you apply the step of giving yourself the love you deserve with a little self-care, it can go a long way.
2. Embrace the Experience — I believe life gives us only what it knows we can handle and you have been given this experience as part of your own personal growth. You are stronger than you may believe you are. Chronic illness is not an easy battle to face, but I think the more you fight against it, the worse it becomes. When you are in conflict with what you are experiencing, that is often when you suffer more than you have to. Challenge yourself to embrace the experience. Read books, educate yourself, find a support group, seek therapy. Make positive actions to living the best life you can.
3. Advocate for your Disease — What better way to help yourself than to help others simultaneously. By advocating you may gain a sense of purpose and make a difference. Advocacy also helps to remind you that you are not alone. There are several ways to be an advocate. If you have to stay in bed you can even advocate from the comfort of your own home. Bring awareness to your disease by utilizing technology, social media, leveraging your experience by sharing with family, friends, and your community, or even create a foundation.
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Stephanie St. James is the daughter of a Russian born mother of Jewish descent & her father is of Guyanese decent and both met in Jerusalem, Israel. Her grandparents were Holocaust survivors, her grandmother Sofia Katz being one of two Jewish survivors of the entire Jewish community in Budslav, Poland & her grandfather David Kopelewicz a decorated Partisan Commander who saved the lives of hundreds of Jews during the Holocaust. Stephanie was born in Miami, Florida and grew up in the Northern California Bay Area where she began her career in the theater at a very young age. She has been seen internationally in such productions as Oprah Winfrey presents “The Color Purple (musical)”, for which she was nominated in 2008 for an NAACP Theater Award for Best Supporting Female – Equity for her role as “Squeak”. She received the 2010 San Francisco Broadway World Fan Award for Best Leading Actress in a Musical, for her role as Mimi in Rent. In 2011 she was honored with the FREC Award by The Film Recording Entertainment Council in South Florida. Stephanie St. James began her career after studying in New York City at the American Musical and Dramatic Academy, where she landed her first role. Stephanie was seen recently on the sixth season of “Portlandia” on IFC on the First Feminist City Episode. She has over 25 years experience of performing on the worlds stages and has even entertained the President of the United States Barack Obama. Stephanie has been seen as a panelist speaker for Facebook for which she currently serves on the Small and Medium Business Council as CEO to her Business Amazing Fairytale Parties™ LLC. She has appeared on television networks NBC, CW, PBS, IFC and is a published writer in USA Today. Stephanie is married to Business Man Ari Werba. The two live in the Pacific Northwest with their 3 Dogs and 2 Cats and enjoy traveling. Additional Background: After suffering for over a decade with the painful symptoms of Endometriosis, she was officially diagnosed with the disease in 2003. To date it is noted that she has survived six major surgeries from the disease and she went public in 2007 to raise awareness. She nearly lost her life to Endometriosis in 2012 when under going over 4 surgeries within a 2 month period & a 3 month hospital stay in NYC. When asked about that time in her life she states, “It was one of the most challenging times in my life, but I survived it and now I am fearless because of it and will do whatever I can to help others who suffer like me”. She is an advocate for woman suffering with Endometriosis worldwide and is known as one of the first women suffering from the disease to go public. For her work with Endometriosis Awareness she was honored as a 2012 WEGO Health Activist Award Nominee. Highlights: Working together with Facebook Inc. began as an invitation to be a panelist speaker. Facebook Inc. invited Stephanie to join the Facebook Inc. Small and Medium Business Council as a representative for Amazing Fairytale Parties™ LLC. In 2016 Stephanie became a published author in USA Today and The Future of Business and Tech. Stephanie was the recipient of the 2015 Spirit of Sonoma Award – Nominated by the North Bay Black Chamber of Commerce. In 2014 Stephanie was honored to be named by the North Bay Business Journal as one of the Top 40 under 40 in Business in Northern California.
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