How The Mighty Has Helped Me Cope With My Illnesses
I have been writing on The Mighty since November 4, 2015 and in that year, I have had 15 articles published. When I was first diagnosed with complex regional pain syndrome, I felt alone. I had plenty of friends but nobody truly could understand what I was going through.Since then I have also been diagnosed with fibromyalgia, Lyme disease, joint hypermobility, anxiety and migraines. As I started meeting people with the same illnesses as me online, we supported each other which helped a lot. I realized how much better I felt when I could freely talk about what I was feeling to people who just got it.
I never used to like writing and I always thought I was bad at it. I came across an article one day that was written on The Mighty and I started scrolling through all of them. I then decided I would try and write one and see what happened. I wrote a piece to thank my mom for everything she has done for me over the years and it was accepted. Reading the positive
comments on it, I realized I could help others.
Combined, my articles have been shared over 8,500 times and I have had countless likes and comments on them. I hope that my articles have had an impact on the lives of people who have read them. I also hope that I have taught people about different illnesses and the impact someone can have. Some of the comments have inspired me to continue to do what I do and share my views. Some of the comments I have read are:
“Exactly what I needed to hear today, thank you so much.”
“This has helped me to support those close to me who also battle chronic pain.”
“It helps her and I to know that we aren’t alone and that this is a real thing.”
“You sound like a tremendous young lady.”
“LOVE this. Just perfect!”
“I appreciate this article so much. I am not alone in this.”
The Mighty has provided me an amazing support system because I have met multiple people through sharing our stories. It has given me the opportunity to make a difference in this world and teach others. It has improved my writing academically and it has allowed me to be more open. It has allowed me to vent and not keep everything bottled up.
I want to say thank you to The Mighty for giving me this amazing opportunity and to my readers for their countless likes, comments, and shares. I would not be where I am today if it wasn’t for you.
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At the age of 14 and as a freshman in high school, Nora was struck with a mysterious illness that would cause chronic pain along with many other symptoms. It wasn’t until she was 16 that she was finally diagnosed with Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) and Joint Hypermobilty. She was then diagnosed with Late Stage Neurological Lyme Disease and Lyme Carditis 17 years after the initial tick bite. Nora began writing for The Mighty over a year ago to raise awareness for her diseases and as a way to cope. Today, she has over 25 stories published and many shares and comments on each story.
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