Rare Disease

When my daughter was first (mis)diagnosed with a rare disease in 2013, not only was I utterly devastated by the news that she had a progressive disease, but I was also shocked beyond reason by the realization that such a disease even existed in the first place. That moment was reality-altering. In fact, I remember very little from that day, except [...]

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Glenda McCoy

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Rare Disease

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How My Daughter's Rare Disease Opened My Eyes

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Thomas Ousterhout PhD

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@thomas_of_copenhagen

Conquer Your Mind 3h

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Depression can make life feel like something you have to earn. You tell yourself that once you have fixed enough, achieved enough, healed enough, or become a better version of yourself, then you will finally be allowed to relax, breathe, and live. But your life is not a reward waiting for you at the end of perfection. You are already here, and that matters. Healing is not only about becoming more. It is also about learning how to be present for the life that still exists right now, even in the middle of struggle. Sometimes the most healing thing you can do is stop treating your existence like a project and remember that being alive is already enough reason to be here.

What helps you come back to the life that is already in front of you when your mind keeps telling you to wait?

Also, if you're going through a tough time right now, I want you to know that I post mental health videos about how to deal with painful thoughts. So if you or anyone you know is struggling and wants help, click on one of the links below or write me if you have any questions you want me to answer:

www.tiktok.com/@thomas_of_copenhagen

~ Thanks to all. Thanks for all. ~

#MentalHealth #MentalHealth #Depression #Anxiety #BipolarDisorder #BorderlinePersonalityDisorder #Addiction #dissociativedisorders #ObsessiveCompulsiveDisorder #ADHD #Fibromyalgia #EhlersDanlosSyndrome #PTSD #Cancer #RareDisease #Disability #Autism #Diabetes #EatingDisorders #ChronicIllness #ChronicPain #RheumatoidArthritis #Suicide #MightyTogether

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#52SmallThings #CheckInWithMe #Selfcare #MentalHealth #Disability #ChronicIllness #ChronicPain #RareDisease #Anxiety #Depression
#Autism #Parenting #PTSD #BorderlinePersonalityDisorder #BipolarDisorder #Fibromyalgia #Lupus #MultipleSclerosis #Migraine #Spoonie

52 Small Things 7h

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What are 3 things you’re grateful to have experienced this year?

So much has happened this year, positive, negative, and everything in between.

What are 3 things you are grateful to have experienced? What made those experiences important to you?

Mighty staffer @sparklywartanks three things: having a more stable income, finding a therapist that's helping her achieve her recovery goals, and challenging herself in multiple aspects of her life and, despite experiencing really harsh symptoms, continuing to move forward.

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Thomas Ousterhout PhD

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@thomas_of_copenhagen

Conquer Your Mind 1d

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When you’re struggling with depression, it can feel like every quiet moment has to be filled with worry, productivity, or pressure to figure your whole life out. But healing is not always about pushing harder or getting somewhere faster. Sometimes it is about learning how to come back to the present in small, gentle ways. A warm drink. A slower breath. A few seconds of stillness. A reminder that this moment does not have to be improved before you are allowed to be in it. You do not have to solve everything today. Sometimes peace begins when you stop rushing past the life that is already here.

What is one small thing that helps you come back to the present when your mind is racing?

www.tiktok.com/@thomas_of_copenhagen

~ Thanks to all. Thanks for all. ~

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52 Small Things 1d

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Free write! Share what’s been on your mind.

Mighties, let's take a moment or two to free write today. You can write about something that you’re proud of yourself for accomplishing; a health goal that you have; a challenge you're facing; a poem that you wrote or something that you created; a list of thoughts, phrases, or words that have been on your mind; or even something you're looking forward to.

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Tazman1967

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@tazman

MentalHealth 2d

Taking care of business

It's something that no one wants to do but it would be neglegent on our part as adult human beings not to plan for the inevitable. An Advance Care Directive is something you have to utilize so that you and your family can have a day on end of life treatment. I have one on my mom of course but today I had to write one for my end of life and name my mother as being able to make decisions on behalf should I end up in the hospital. The whole thing made me very sad and frustrated as it is my duty to take care of her till she passes not for her to lose me. Anyways just had to let it out and this is my safe place.#MentalHealth #MuscularDystrophy #RareDisease #ChronicPain #DegenerativeDiscDisease #Fibromyalgia #Disability

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52 Small Things 3d

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Write a to-do list for the week. What do you need to prioritize?

This week we'll be exercising our writing muscles and jotting things down, Mighties. ✍️

Today's challenge will be to write a to-do list for the week. What do you need to prioritize?

Let us know in the comments below. 💌

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52 Small Things 6d

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What is a new tradition you want to incorporate into your life?

The great thing about traditions is this: We have the power to maintain the ones we like, but we also have the power to create fresh ones. And adopting new traditions can help us build our own sense of community, especially around what and who we value most.

A new tradition mighty staffer @sparklywartanks wants to incorporate in her life is having a family movie or game night at least once every month so she can see her siblings more regularly.

What about you?

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52 Small Things 1w

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Reflect on a time when you broke tradition. How did it feel?

Traditions are often celebrated or observed as they are passed down through generations or between family members, friends, or groups that share similar beliefs; but that doesn’t always mean they are "healthy."

Some traditions can be tied to toxic behaviors like childhood trauma or disordered eating and therefore can (and should!) be changed or challenged by those who once practiced them.

Mighty staffer @sparklywartanks broke tradition by deciding to no longer practice the religion she grew up with. She wanted to go on her own path and that made her feel liberated, especially in her healing journey.

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