HIV/AIDS

We are growing fast …just passed 2,200 members a few months ago and are at 2,222 today and growing strong! (If you are not a member yet please consider joining us!) This is really exciting to me, we have all put in the effort and as a community we have grown, flourished and have built a sacred place where I hope you all feel at home! You have shown you care for each other, are there for each other and trust each other. This makes me very happy and proud. I envisioned the group would be a place where members would empathize with each other, ask for support, and offer support to others. When we are operating smoothly this experience is so exciting to watch spread & expand.

However, to be honest, I have been very frustrated that there is less activity recently and as our membership grows steadily the number of comments & replies has actually diminished. Our old co-leader Chris is no longer with the group and we need to have others step up and make up for her commitment to regularly respond to posts and comments. This means a collective effort from everyone in the group! I have had numerous layers of serious physical & mental health challenges recently and have had to step back and focus on self-care. This is a time when you can all help me by checking in here and see if there are new posts and hopefully respond.

My last post about hobbies with the image of all the colorful people doing different fun things only got ONE response. And Laura made a great post about disability after that and it got only two responses. When new members have the courage to open up and introduce themselves we want them to feel welcome and supported. Please especially respond if you share some similar health challenges and hopefully offer acknowledgement and encouragement!

This is OUR group everybody and it functions best when members support other members. We all have our varied health histories and with them the knowledge and wisdom we’ve garnered along the way! PLEASE let’s share these with each other. This communal empathy and understanding makes us strong.

Offering your own posts provides more content for the group and can generate great conversations. Write about if you are struggling and need support, encouragement and/or information. Write about how great things are going and share things that are helping you. Pose a question to the group which can excite others to chip in. Or just share a great meme you have found. It can be really powerful for others to see your post as they can then empathize and relate! I would be happy to support your effort if you want to run things by me before you post, I can help finding memes or images if you like, and I will comment on your posts to get the responses going to best support your efforts. I’m here for you and really enjoy the whole process, so please reach out to me if you need assistance or encouragement. I have made well over 100 posts since I started the group and learned a lot along the way! (Please scroll down back in time to find my other posts, you might find some of them helpful😉)

I believe in the power we have as a group and the community we have built. I am so thankful you have joined us and we are all on this journey together!

In service,

Moshe Adler
@moshe222mhc
🙏💥🫶💜🤗💥🙏

P.S. ✡️Happy Rosh Hashanah✡️ -The Jewish New Year. May today mark a time of new beginnings for us all.🌦️⛅️🌤️☀️

#MentalHealth #Depression #Anxiety #Disability #ChronicPain #ChronicIllness #Selflove #Selfcare #BipolarDisorder #Bipolar1 #Bipolar2 #BipolarDepression #ADHD #PTSD #ObsessiveCompulsiveDisorder #COVID19 #Migraine #Headache #RareDisease #HIVAIDS #PeripheralNeuropathy #BackPain #neckpain #Addiction #AddictionRecovery #IfYouFeelHopeless #Hope #CheckInWithMe #InsideTheMighty #MightyTogether #DistractMe #TheMighty #MightyMinute #MightyQuestions #Concussion #BrainInjury

@laurascardigno @texassonrisa @xokat @sparklywartanks

We are currently looking for a new Co-Leader for the Multiple Health Challenges group. We are growning fast and just passed 2,200 members. This is really exciting to me, however to be honest, I have been very frustrated that there is less activity recently and as our membership grows steadily the number of comments & replies has actually diminished. Our old co-leader Chris is no longer with the group and we need to have others step up and make up for her commitment to regularly respond to posts and comments. This means a collective effort from everyone in the group! I have had numerous layers of serious physical & mental health challenges recently and not been as active as I would like in order to step back and focus on self-care. This is a time having another co-leader to pick up the slack is essential!

My last post about hobbies was actually first posted 16 months ago (when we had at least 1,000 less members) and it got over 200 ❤️ & 👍and 100 comments then! It got only ONE this time. And Laura made a great post about disability after that and it got only two responses as well. When new members open up and post to introduce themselves and then get very little response that is even worse. I fear that new members will see this and not be active moving forward. This is OUR group everybody and it functions best when members support other members. We all have our varied health histories and with them the knowledge and wisdom we’ve garnered along the way! PLEASE let’s share these with each other. Without this empathy and understanding this group is falling short of what I first envisioned when I started the group and what it’s capable of.

For a co-leader I am looking for someone to welcome new members, comment or respond to posts and other comments & replies, and make new posts to the group. It is important for the group to have distinctly different voices to support people because people might relate more to either of us. What is a really good situation is if we both respond to the same posts, welcome new members from different perspectives and provide voices for people that are accessible and relatable. There is a commitment needed that you monitor activities on the group regularly and can respond pretty quickly.

Offering your own posts provides more content for the group. I can assist and support by offering to look at your new posts for feedback and editing before you post if you would like, will comment on your posts to get the responses going to best support your efforts, and I can help finding memes or images.

I look at potential leaders' history of posts and/or comments that have helped and supported others in the past. Willingness to be honest and open about your own health challenges is crucial to best support people.

You will get access to the Community Leaders group and your name will have a “Group Leader” tab next to it up top on your comments and responses so I think people pay attention especially to your activity and wisdom shared from your personal experience. Would you consider joining me on this journey? Let’s have a DM chat to discuss this! Thanks for considering taking on this role!

In service,
Moshe
@moshemhc

#Depression #Anxiety #MentalHealth #ChronicPain #ChronicIllness #Chronicpainwarrior #Disability #BipolarDisorder #BipolarDepression #BipolarIIDisorder #Bipolar1Disorder
#ObsessiveCompulsiveDisorder #ADHD #Schizophrenia #AspergersSyndrome #Autism #Dementia #Concussion #Addiction #AddictionRecovery #Cancers #TraumaticBrainInjury #BrainInjury #LossOfAParent #Grief #Suicide #ChronicFatigueSyndrome #DistractMe #HIVAIDS #MightyQuestions #DownSyndrome #IfYouFeelHopeless #Hope #Deafness #neckpain #BackPain #CongestiveHeartFailure #Migraine #COVID19 #PeripheralNeuropathy #LymeDisease #Diabetes #EatingDisorder #Headache #Stroke #Cancer #BorderlinePersonalityDisorder #Fibromyalgia #Disability #thankful #grateful #CocaineDependence #drugaddiction #Alcoholism #PTSD #EmotionalHealth #physicalhealth #PainAcceptance #Acceptance #relief #Selflove #Selfcare #MentalHealthHero #TheMighty #RareDisease #MightyTogether #RareDisease

Typically when people think of self-care, they think of: getting enough sleep, exercising, eating well, taking a nap, meditating, taking a bath or shower, or even going to a spa. But what if a rock concert is more your speed? Or Rockclimbing? Bowling? Backpacking? Fishing? Gardening? Deep cleaning? We are each our own person. What works for you may not work for others, or vice versa. There is no “right” answer as to what hobbies can and do improve our mental health. By sharing what helps you, hopefully other members will be inspired to explore those or other new activities!

I like listening to or making music on my drum. Recently I’ve found listening to podcasts can be very enthralling…entertaining and even educating! At the beginning of Covid Stay at Home I got some Legos and making things with them was fun and a great distraction…so it was a new creative hobby …and using colored pencils filling in mandalas and tattoo flash in adult coloring books (yes, they have these! They can be quite intricate and challenging …or simple) These were surprisingly therapuetc and calming! I love taking the time to create something, finish it, step back, and see the end result of my efforts. It can make me feel really good…proud, accomplished and empowered!

What have you found works for you?

Here’s a quick check-in for if you’re feeling self-conscious about your preferences…

Q: Does [insert hobby here] help you when you’re down?
A: Yes!

Conclusion: Then you’re doing it right, my friends! I am so glad you have found things that help you. Keep exploring to find new hobbies to expand your possibilities and new ways that you can turn to when you’re down or need a boost!

Please share those hobbies activities below — let’s see who has similar ones, or maybe ideas people haven’t thought about but will help them too!

#MentalHealth #Depression #Anxiety #Disability #ChronicPain #ChronicIllness #Selflove #Selfcare #BipolarDisorder #Bipolar1 #Bipolar2 #BipolarDepression #ADHD #ObsessiveCompulsiveDisorder #COVID19 #Migraine #Headache #RareDisease #HIVAIDS #PeripheralNeuropathy #BackPain #neckpain #Addiction #AddictionRecovery #IfYouFeelHopeless #Hope #CheckInWithMe #InsideTheMighty #MightyTogether #DistractMe #mighty #MightyMinute #MightyQuestions #BrainInjury #Concussion #BrainFog #MemoryLoss

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Being courageous and taking acts of faith requires self love. From self love we can do more self care. Then we can look for the moments when we have felt braver, stronger or smarter….and can start letting ourselves dig deep and find our inner strength that we all have. Without it we may not still be here today. Even when I’ve been physically weak and felt like I couldn’t do any more, contribute more, or just show up…l’ve learned to dig into the power I was born with. Over the years I’ve found myself losing my ability to do things I used to do (a lot) I have found that I have the power to dig deep and push through and have realized that I’m a warrior and I wouldn’t have survived all these years if I hadn’t tapped into my emotional strength and fought for my life, fought to overcome fear, worry, sadness, depression, lack of confidence and fought to try to ignore others judgements and negative thoughts. (Many of which are just my projections.)

I have the blessings of a support network of family, friends and amazing health care providers which has truly helped me survive. Over time I learned to accept their support, often only when I got the courage to ask for help. But my best support is what I have found deep inside me that I never knew (or believed) I had. I have learned to trust myself and just take one new day at a time, one challenge at a time, and fight through one type of pain at a time. Its a work in progress. Some days can be much harder than others, but I will keep moving forward on my journey of building self love..

YOU ARE ALL WARRIORS TOO! You have taken the risk to join The Mighty, and to join groups to find connections…to learn from others and then in the process have made the intention to better yourself as a person and found here that you are not alone. You may take medications, although often begrudgingly; you may go to doctors appointments, even if it takes all you have to get there; you may go to therapy, at first not knowing what to say… all in hopes of overcoming challenges, feeling better, and getting stronger. You have survived so much because you all have inner strength, courage and smarts you were not only born with, but you have built on and strengthened these powers from what you’ve learned along your paths of survival! So be courageous, be strong, be smart, and you will continue to survive and thrive and take leaps of faith!

#MentalHealth #Depression #Anxiety #Disability #ChronicPain #ChronicIllness #Selflove #Selfcare #BipolarDisorder #Bipolar1 #Bipolar2 #BipolarDepression
#ADHD #ObsessiveCompulsiveDisorder #COVID19 #Migraine #Headache #HIVAIDS #PeripheralNeuropathy #BackPain #neckpain #Addiction #AddictionRecovery #IfYouFeelHopeless #Hope #CheckInWithMe #MightyTogether #DistractMe

Like it says in this meme, I can feel upset, confused, frustrated, depressed, angry, despondent and especially lonely. … as I have spent too much time isolated and stuck at home due to my physical limitations. Recently I’ve had to step back from this group to focus on the layers of self care my body needs and the very regular doctor and health appointments I go to have really drained my energy. Meanwhile I have lost a close relative, a close friend and the branch of the men's group I’ve met with weekly for 6 years sadly officially disbanded & had our last meeting last week. At first these all became holes, empty spaces in my life. all people and a group where I felt very safe, felt loved and they were people who knew my past struggles and meandering path..and were always there for me.

It was really tough to lose all that support at the same time. I felt even more alone at a time when I have been in severely distracting pain and I’ve been physically and emotionally drained every day. I had nothing to give anyone else when I would usually have been supportive and always tried to be here for you.

Today my health is just a little better, and I’ll take small victories … My Physical Therapist just cleared me to go back for daily walks and/or go back to the gym. (I've been seeing him for my spine (neck/shoulder & back - injured in my second concussion) and ankle & foot (injured in an earlier fall) … and today the Neurologist specialist told me very confidently that I definitely don’t have Parkinson’s Disease, which we had feared. For almost a year I presented the same symptoms, and he stopped, changed dosages & changed meds very aggressively, did scans & tests and monitored me regularly. Yet he was very happy to see that my Essential Tremors are almost completely gone and my balance is better. I had other symptoms like brain fog, memory problems, very regular migraines, and worsened Neuropathy due to Covid Long Haul and then the brain injuries. With the more recent concussion all these things have intensified and the way I fell put pressure on my spine -neck down to lower back which have been the most troubling areas and triggers for the chronic pain.

I just keep doing the next right thing, treating what hurts the most first, then the next, and the next …and accepting my limitations; adapting my lifestyle; and I keep hoping that some symptoms will be over sooner than later. Over time I have settled into a routine of self care; and let myself to just BE, and not have to DO things all the time!

I’ve been worn out and missed many posts or comments here and haven’t supported you guys as much as I had been for over 3 years now. When I started this group I pledged to myself that I would respond to all posts, comments or replies. It has been an honor for me to help maintain this group and that you all trust me and each other. You all have helped me to create the safe “container” of this group where people feel comfortable enough to share, support each other and it has been rewarding to see the way people have connected with each other when they share things in common. We have grown into a strong, diverse and unique community!

#MentalHealth #Depression #Anxiety #Disability #ChronicPain #ChronicIllness #Selflove #Selfcare #BipolarDisorder #Bipolar1 #Bipolar2 #BipolarDepression
#ADHD #COVID19 #Migraine #Headache #HIVAIDS #PeripheralNeuropathy #BackPain #neckpain #Addiction #AddictionRecovery #IfYouFeelHopeless #Hope #CheckInWithMe #MightyTogether #DistractMe

For me there were a few…but one stands out. I’ve been going through a very difficult time right now physically and emotionally and the third one- just the simple reminder that my body is sacred and to cherish it was really important for me to hear right now …as a reminder and encouragement that at times like these it is especially important for me to focus on self care … and give myself permission to do so even if it means sacrificing other things I planned on doing. The fundamentals: drink enough water; eat well; make sure to get enough sleep so my body can rest & recharge; find a few moments to meditate or sit in silence and just focus on breathing; and just going on a short walk or exercising every day (and listen to my body so I don’t overdo it) They sound so simple and basic however they can actually be very hard for me to keep up with when I am down! I can’t change them all at once, but will pick a few to start with and build from there!

Did any of them inspire, encourage &/or empower you?

#MentalHealth #Depression #Anxiety #Disability #ChronicPain #ChronicIllness #Selflove
#Selfcare #BipolarDisorder #Bipolar1 #Bipolar2 #BipolarDepression
#ADHD #ObsessiveCompulsiveDisorder #COVID19 #Migraine #Headache #RareDisease #HIVAIDS #PeripheralNeuropathy #BackPain #PTSD #Addiction #AddictionRecovery #IfYouFeelHopeless #Hope #CheckInWithMe #TheMighty #MightyTogether #DistractMe #Trauma #MightyPoets #Grief

Letting go of visions and dreams unachieved is very hard for me. I can often feel like a failure, or that I let people down, or that I’m weak and haven’t reached my potential and these thoughts have weighed me down …but instead of beating myself up I always try to live in the moment…. I’m proud of the journeys I’ve been on, of the things I have accomplished, and sometimes I just have to simply remind myself that I’m a survivor in many ways… and I have to honor that part of myself…give myself credit for hanging on, sometimes just fighting to get through the day…

Then the hardest part becomes trying to reach acceptance and ownership of the things that have changed how I live my life day to day, and accept the limitations I live with, the things I may never be able to do again, and yet find joy in the many possibilities for new things I can do, new chapters of my book that lie ahead and find hope and promise in those new dreams and visions. As my wise friend Chris always says…There is more good than bad and there always silver linings!

#Anxiety #Disability #ChronicPain #ChronicIllness #Selflove #Selfcare #BipolarDisorder #Bipolar1Disorder #Bipolar2Disorder #BipolarDepression #ADHD #ObsessiveCompulsiveDisorder #COVID19 #Migraine #Headache #RareDisease #HIVAIDS #PeripheralNeuropathy #BackPain #PTSD #Addiction #AddictionRecovery #IfYouFeelHopeless #Hope #CheckInWithMe #TheMighty #MightyTogether #MightyQuestions #DistractMe #Depression #MentalHealth

Can you do something better with your hate? Maybe you can volunteer and help others, call someone that you love, help our elders, clean the city, etc, etc, or scratch your butt....but #StopHomophobia

#AltoALaHomofobia

HEALTHeVOICES - A groundbreaking leadership conference , HIV LONG TERM Survivors international network

We all struggle at some point whether it be with mental illness or physical health problems. This is just a sad fact of life but the good news is that we are stronger than what is in front of us. Sure our health problems may never go away but don't let that discourage you from reaching your goals and dreams. You are just as special as anyone else and just as capable even if you have limitations. There is something that makes each of us unique.

If you're struggling with negative or anxious thoughts like I am then take a breath and acknowledge it. The more you acknowledge it the less power it seems to have over you. Sometimes our thoughts are misleading …. They can only be guided by emotion. This is okay so long as we are willing to work with it. Struggling does not make you less than, it makes you human!

We are all on this journey of life together and our struggles possess the ability to teach us things. Some lessons are hard to face while others come quite easily.

The point is, you are stronger and more capable than you give yourself credit for. I sometimes downplay my accomplishments but I shouldn't. Neither should you. If you got out of bed today-good. If you ate-good. If you went to work-good. Every little accomplishment deserves attention no matter how small. By celebrating our victories we validate ourselves and we deserve that. Our feelings and situations are valid even if others don't think so.

What I am saying is: YOU GOT THIS! Whatever life throws at you is not impossible to deal with. So go out there and shine like the brilliant person you are because that's what the world needs, more people like you. I believe in you…and yes I believe in myself…most of the time, but reading this post really invigorated and empowered me.

As always please stay safe and reach out for help if you need to.

~Amcron
@stillsearching1994

#MentalHealth #Depression #Anxiety #ChronicIllness #ChronicPain #Selfcare #Selflove #BipolarDisorder #Bipolar2Disorder #Bipolar1Disorder #BipolarDepression #ADHD #ObsessiveCompulsiveDisorder #COVID19 #Migraine #Headache #RareDisease #HIVAIDS #PeripheralNeuropathy #BackPain #PTSD #Addiction #AddictionRecovery #IfYouFeelHopeless #Hope #CheckInWithMe #TheMighty #MightyTogether #MightyMinute #DistractMe #MightyQuestions