We Are #MightyTogether

In this article, Mary Joan Cunningham reflects on 12 years of living with multiple sclerosis (MS), describing how she gradually learned to accept that she can be both strong and sick at the same time, rather than feeling pressured to portray herself only as resilient. She shares three tools that helped her manage fear and uncertainty after her diagnosis, including shifting perspective, finding “bright spots” in difficult situations, and taking small, truth-based actions to move through fear.

www.nationalmssociety.org/news-and-magazine/momentum-magazin...

#MultipleSclerosis #MightyTogether

Like many chronic health conditions, Functional Neurological Disorder (FND) is a difficult condition to explain to people. Many people will be familiar with some commonly used analogies, such as the ‘computer’ or ‘smartphone’ analogies. But what if you are trying to explain FND to someone who has difficulty understanding technology? Well, there’s also the ‘Roadway’ Analogy.
The Roadway Analogy:
Imagine that a person is like a network of roads – the body is like the roads and the body’s functioning is like vehicles using those roads to reach their destinations, i.e: the brain is like a hub that sends ‘vehicles’ carrying instructions out to various areas of the body so that these areas can function correctly. A person without FND is like a network of roads that are all in good condition and that the ‘vehicles’ can follow with ease and without issue to deliver their instructions to help function correctly. A person with FND is like a network of roads that has road closures and diversions meaning that the ‘vehicles’ have difficulty in reaching their destinations resulting in the instructions for functioning being interrupted resulting in some of the body’s functioning either not working correctly or not working at all.

#FunctionalNeurologicalDisorder #FND #FunctionalNeurologicalSymptomDisorder #FunctionalMovementDisorder #ChronicPain #ChronicIllness #Disability #MightyTogether #AskMe @fndhope

What is one self care thing you have done for yourself this week? What did you do? Have you stopped amidst your chaos to be gentle w/ yourself & breathe?

We all struggle with pain on some level: with depression, anxiety, worry etc.. Within the times you were hurting, what step dids you take to take care of yourself? How did you practice self care? Did you just stop, breathe and rest for an hour...or even ten minutes? Did you sit with a cup of tea and journal out your thoughts? Did you eat a favorite meal? Watch a funny movie? Listen to calming music? Did you sit and color, paint or draw? Did you dance by yourself when no one was watching? Did you push yourself a little and go out for a walk? Did you go for a hike in nature...or even just sit with your back up to a tree? Did you ride a bike, swim, go rock climbing or go to the gym? Did you take a bubble bath with soft music and candles? Did you take a hot shower? Did you hug someone...for no reason? Did you go to therapy or a support group? Did you get out of bed!?! Did you drink water throughout the day? Did you do anything that made you feel better about yourself... even just for moments?

Recently I’ve been exercising, swimming, hiking, and going out to dance and holistic events. I just bought a bike for fun and cross training to use soon. I’ve also been doing divination readings and cleaning up my apartment. Sometimes I struggle with basic self-care, not eating enough and not sleepy enough and those really good top list for things for me to take care of. I’ll give myself grace for trying and being aware of both and drinking a lot of water at least

These these self care options listed right above are ways I've taken care of myself or things that I’ve heard helped other people. Many are very short and simple, many help you stop for an hour or two and UNPLUG or put away your work or homework. Most are free, easy, and accessible, many require little thought or planning, many just require you to STOP and recalculate your direction...but any of these can help!

Which ones have you done this week or anytime you were hurting in the past??? Which ones will you try soon or keep in your mind to use during a tough time??? When I do some of these things I usually end up feeling better about myself, sometimes I feel like a heavy weight has been lifted off my shoulders, sometimes I just end up thinking that I care about myself! Please do anything that makes you feel better even if it takes every bit of your physical (and emotional) energy! YOU ARE WORTH IT! Sending blessings for peace, serenity, calm and balance during these difficult times...and here’s sending a big virtual hug to all of you!

#MentalHealth #Depression #Anxiety #SocialAnxiety #disability #ChronicPain   #ChronicIllness #selflove #selfcare #BipolarDisorder #BipolarDepression #Bipolar1 #COVID19 #parkinsons #concussion #BrainInjury #Migraine #Headache #BackPain #Pain #physicaltherapy #HIVAIDS #PTSD #stigma #PeripheralNeuropathy     #Addiction     #AddictionRecovery     #IfYouFeelHopeless #CheckInWithMe   #InsideTheMighty   #MightyTogether   #DistractMe