To the Lyme Warriors Feeling Fearful and Uncertain After the Election
As Lyme Warriors, we face adversity every moment. People who look at us like we are “crazy,” liars, incapable. But we know we aren’t. We know who we really are.
The future president has mocked the disabled. He might repeal Obamacare. A man with the power to take away many in our community’s healthcare has sent a message that reinforces what stigmas shadow our existence. But this is not the end of the story, friends.
We, the disabled, face immense, irreversible pain everyday, mentally, emotionally, spirituality and physically. Our whole existence is dedicated to surviving. We battle to keep ourselves not only alive, but living fully with joy in our hearts. Love, not hate, creates that.
As the chronically ill, we are forced to look within. On days of despair and loneliness, during moments where we don’t know if we can go on, along with years where our realities are grim. All we really have is ourselves. What we are really made of. Who we really are. The gritty stuff we hide behind sarcasm, the tears behind laughter. We boldly face it all and find a way to heal ourselves anyway.
Our self-love is our guidance, our guru, our hope and our way to health. Let us shine this light to our greater community who are now feeling fear, pain, confusion, uncertainty. Let us show them that fear does not win. From our strength, let us beam brightly for all to feel. Let us be a testament that we can live with pain, and use it to forge forward with grace and ferocity.
Spoonies do it every day. People with invisible illnesses, who you wouldn’t even expect. Our rights can be infringed upon, we get overlooked and under-appreciated. Discrimination is our reality.
Let us hold each other in preciousness and remind others that fear does not mean flight. We are fighters without ever using our fists. Let us Lymies show how to elevate without having to give up on beliefs. We can all be leaders for our country, citizens, family, friends. We are the disabled, everyday angels, and we are strong. We have lessons that make us all one.
We want to hear your story. Become a Mighty contributor here.
I was diagnosed with Lyme Disease, Bartonella, and Tularemia in 2014, while studying Occupational Therapy and teaching yoga. I spent 3-4 years getting better, tried oral abx, IV abx, got a picc line for 10 months and eventually dug myself out of the dark hell that is Chronic Lyme, disability and limbic brain dysfunction. I’m currently practicing DNRS, Dynamic Neural Retraining System created by Annie Hopper. I’m seeing big changes and would recommend it to anyone interested in neuroplasticity. Ask me anything! I was able to get back to teaching yoga in studios, but while I was very ill I created Lyme Yoga Warrior, where I teach yoga classes for people with chronic illness, pain, and Lyme. I’ve since held these as workshops in yoga studios. My mission is to create and implement yoga for every body and complete accessibility. I am back in graduate school online, this time for Library and Information Science. I also started a small hand embroidery business, which I love dearly! It helps to have a low key activity to do at home to pass the time and build confidence. My pieces are for sale on my website and I do commissions as well! I’m not back to working full time, but it’s my goal one day. Anyone who is struggling with Lyme, chronic illness, mental health, anything really, send me a message! I’ve been there or I can hear what it’s like. We are in this healing journey together, especially at this wonderful place called the Mighty.
lymeyogawarrior