Fibromyalgia is a weird chronic pain disorder, think “everything hurts and I’m dying.” It’s different from person to person, and even within a single person it can be different every single day. You literally never know if you’re going to hurt, when you’re going to hurt, or how bad you’re going to hurt. So it’s really frustrating to say the least. I’m only 33 and it’s been really hard to admit that I need help. I’m not normal, whatever that is. And there are days when I need the help of aids, like braces and on occasion a cane to live my life. And I’ll be 100% honest, it’s embarrassing. I am working on that, but none the less it is embarrassing, especially because I “look” healthy. I don’t feel confident with this “new” aspect of my life. But I know that with time I will be able to deal with the situation.
I can’t remember her quote exactly, but my therapist said something along the lines of: “It’s better to life your life with aids, than you miss your life without them.” And ya’ll, let me tell ya something! That hit a chord with me. So what if I have to wear braces on all my joints or have to use a cane to walk, at least I’m not missing my life, or my children’s lives, by being stuck in bed. That would be so much worse I think. I would never want to miss out on anything. I’d much rather have memories of being able to live my life, with whatever aids I need, than memories of being in pain and being in bed. I feel so much more positive about the fact that aids will help me stay as active as possible, for as long as possible.
So whatever it is in your life, that bothers you or embarrasses you try to think of it in terms of “at least it helps you live your life” and not about how you look while out living your life. I’m so thankful that I cried about this issue to my therapist so that she could put it in perspective for me! I hope that you can do the same, and that you have someone who can help you put things in perspective. If you don’t, please search someone out!
Stay safe, stay rad, and wash your DANG hands!
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