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HAWMC Day 16: Pinboard

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Welcome to another post for the 30 Days, 30 Posts Challenge as part of the WEGO Health Activist Writer’s Month Challenge. It’s Day 16 and today’s prompt says the following:

Pinboard…Create a pinterest board for your health focus. Pin 3 things. What did you pin? Share the images in a post and explain why you chose them

For those who are not aware, Pinterest is a ‘virtual pinboard’ and allows users to organise and share photographs that they love or inspire them. Users are also able to browse pinboards created by others who share they particular interests and a great way for discovering new ideas. Pinboards allow users to be able to plan special occasions such as weddings, or ideas for decorating the home or for new recipes.

I have signed up to Pinterest and my username is serenebutterfly for those wanting to have a look at my personal pinboard

This is a tough assignment today – my condition is, as already mentioned is invisible, so finding images that reflect my health focus. This is where Google is going to come in very handy!!

1.

Image: http://reference.medscape.com/features/slideshow/vertigo

The above image shows an MRI, the scan on the left depicts a brain stem lesion which is exactly what is wrong with me. However, it is not necessarily located in the same place as mine, however I thought that this image best showed what was going inside my head – the best way to show my health focus which is obviously my condition. Using an image of an MRI is the best way to illustrate what my specific health focus is – my condition…

2.

Image: http://pinterest.com/pin/126593439495125404/ (Courtesy of Kyle Mills)

Okay so could not find a picture that really defines ‘dizziness’ adequately, I mean it is something that you feel happen to you, and cannot tell if someone is dizzy by looking at them. However, this picture does show what my view is like when experiencing an episode of vertigo – as if the world is moving, and also depicts what my vision is like, quite effectively during these attacks as I very often have visual experiences – things become very out of focus and blurred and even double vision. Excellently portrayed by the image as you are able to see two images of the woman’s face. Closest picture I could find which really summed up the experience of vertigo and visual disturbances…

3.

Okay, so this is the third and final image I have chosen. Again my condition or the symptoms that I experience are not visible, and therefore I have to use images that are a metaphor for what I face on a daily basis. The constant dizziness, is as if my world is always unbalanced, which is portrayed by the rocks being on a tilt. Also, one can never tell when one of the rocks is going to fall off and fall to the ground…This also depicts, in a really clever way the problems with my legs as just like the rocks, I never know when my legs are going to collapse, causing me to fall to the ground…

I thought I would share one more with you, as it is something that made me smile when I found it on Pinterest and something that I can very well relate to because of all the falls that I endure on a daily basis:

So, what do you all think of the images that I have chosen to represent my health focus? Are there any other images that I could have used to represent my condition? If you had to create a pinboard for yourself, what images would you pin?

As always love to hear your views, comments or suggestions…

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HAWMC Day 15: Writing with Style…

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Well, it’s now officially halfway through the challenge for the Health Activist Writer’s Month Challenge!! Hope you all have enjoyed the entries so far and will continue to visit the blog after the Challenge has ended.  So, today’s challenge is as follows:

Writing with Style…What’s your writing style? Do words just flow from your mind to your fingertips? Do you like handwriting first? Do you plan your posts? Title first or last? Where do you write best?

Before I Start Writing 

Okay so before, I begin writing any posts to my blog, the first thing is decide on the theme of the post, a topic to write about for that particular entry – it may be about how I am feeling, or how I have been feeling lately with my condition – if things have gotten worse.  Sometimes, I find inspiration in things I have written in my personal journal, or perhaps articles I have read in a magazine or newspaper, a topical issue that needs to be debated and talked about.  So, I always know what I am going to write before I put a pen to paper (or in my case, type on a keyboard)…

Image: http://www.nextgreatbrand.com/sure-you-can-blog-but-can-you-write/

The Writing Process 

Before, I actually start typing my new blog entry, I usually jot some ideas and key themes which I want to address within the post.  Once I finish brainstorming ideas, I then get down to business.  I find that I write best in my bedroom, my own personal space and where I am able to get peace and quiet from any distractions, I usually try to write when I’m alone in the house, so I am able just to focus on what I am writing.  And then I just start typing just letting my words flow freely from my mind, occasionally taking the time to read carefully over what I have written, editing as I go alone – checking for spelling and grammatical errors…

After the Writing Process…

Then after I am happy with what I have written and am satisfied that I have covered all areas of the topic that I have written about I finish typing.  I then take a look at what I have written, checking for any spelling or grammatical errors, or even sometimes add to what I have written.  Once I am finally happy with that I have written, I then search for any appropriate images that I could incorporate into the post, if there are any images that goes well with the subject matter of the entry.  Once all that is done, I add any ‘tags’ to appropriately match the article, so readers are able to get a quick sense of what the post is about before they decide whether or not to read on….

And then I publish!!…

However, I also find that my posts are not always planned and sometimes write spontaneously, especially if I am feeling low or I haven’t been well – I use it as a cathartic way of expressing my emotions and feelings regarding my condition and the effects it has on my daily life.

If there are any other bloggers reading, what is your writing style??  Is the process I use to write the blog effective?  Are there any techniques that could improve my writing style?

Again would love to hear all of your comments and suggestions and what you all think…

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HAWMC Day 14: My Dream Day…

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Hey Everyone, hope you are well. May have to keep this one short, as having a very bad day, writing this from my bed on my laptop. Thought about using one of the two ‘Get Out of Post Free’ days, but am bored so thought I would still take part anyway, give me something to do, and something else to focus on other than the dizziness, nausea or the intense trembling in my legs.

Anyway, here is today’s prompt:

My Dream Day…Describe your ideal day. How would you spend your time? Who would you spend it with? Have you had this day? If not – how could you make it happen?

Had a very hard think about this one, and eventually decided that my dream day would take me to Italy. Italy is a country that I so desperately want to visit – I love everything about it – the language, the food, and the history of the country and its splendid architecture.

One of my favourite Shakespeare play has to be ‘Romeo and Juliet’, so my dream day would definitely involve a trip to Verona, the place where the famous tragedy is set. Perhaps a visit to the balcony of the house in which the real ‘Juliet’, the girl who supposedly inspired one of the greatest plays of all time lived.

Image: http://www.coachbigbang.com/?p=1936

The person whom I would choose to share the experience with? Well, I would have to choose my Mum, who is also my best friend. I can imagine us now, roaming the streets of Verona, sampling the delicacies and authentic Italian food – pizza, ice-cream, pasta dishes…

My Mum has actually already visited Italy and Verona itself, but this ‘Dream Day’ hasn’t happened for me yet. Maybe one day it will happen – it would be fantastic if it did, but am not sure if it ever will – my legs would need to be stronger. All of you who are also suffering with chronic illnesses yourselves, am sure can understand, that it is so difficult making plans, or planing trips away as you can never be sure when you are going to be so unwell you are unable to get out of bed. Never know when your next bad day is going to be, and I never know when my legs are going to give way next…

So, what would be YOUR ‘Dream Day’? Where would you choose to spend it, and who would you choose to spend it with? I would love to hear all of your ideas…

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HAWMC Day 13: 10 Things I Couldn’t Live Without….

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Hello, again!!  Another day, and another post for the WEGO Health Activist Writer’s Month Challenge.  Ready?  Today’s prompt reads as follows:

10 things I couldn’t live without…Write a list of the 10 things you need (or love) most…

Another challenge that sounds so easy, but when sitting down and trying to complete it is actually quite difficult.  I presume that things such as food, water, air don’t have to be included as these are things that everyone needs to survive and live.  This challenge seems much more personal…things which I probably could live without, but things which make my life better…

So here’s my Top 10 Things I Love Most or Couldn’t Live Without (and in no particular order!):

My Parents – an obvious first choice, as they are the most amazing parents – supportive and caring.  They are both my rocks and have been with me through the good and bad times, and Dad without moaning, drives to appointments or wherever I need to go, or if I need to go to the shops for something, and when he’s not working will go out and buy me lunch which is a great help especially when my legs are feeling particularly weak so don’t have to worry about standing to make myself something to eat.  And Mum is super brilliant – helping me out whenever, phoning to check on me if they are both working and I’m alone in the house.  Mum is also the greatest person to talk to whenever I am feeling down or having a bad day, and we also have a great time together on the rare days we go out shopping together, or even staying in the house and watching a film.  No words can express my gratitude to them or how much I love them…
My Dog – my dog Honey, although crazy and unbelievably annoying at times (you should see her whenever people come over, particularly when they leave!!).  However, she is also the most sweetest, caring and loyal dog – if I’m on my own and have a fall she is there by my side straight away making sure that I’m OK.  Or, if I’m having a particularly bad day, and balance is bad and my legs are very weak she is constantly following me, and never wants to leave me out of her sights.  And if I’m bad, and lying in bed or if I’m on my computer, she will lie down beside my bed, or on the bed, or lie beside my computer chair.  Once I fell whilst on my own, and was unable to get up afterwards, and she lay down beside me the whole time, until Mum came home approximately 20 minutes later, soon as she came through the door Honey rushed to her to alert her that I needed help.  She is a super dog!!

Other family members – As with my parents, also couldn’t live without other members of my family, all of whom are also supportive and help whenever they can.  I have stayed with an Aunt and Uncle of mine when my parents have gone away on holiday, as couldn’t cope on my own for the duration that they would be away, and so they kindly took me in and looked after me in their absence…

My Crutch – My crutch is my main mobility aid which I am finding that I am becoming more reliant upon.  Whenever I am out of the house, I constantly make sure that I have my crutch with me as due to the dizziness and problems with my balance, I find that it is something that helps ground me.  And also due to the weakness in my legs, the crutch is incredibly useful to help keep me somewhat upright whenever my legs buckle or give way.  And it means that I can have somewhat more independence in the sense that I do not constantly have to hold onto somebody when out…

Online Friends and Community – The girls who I have met online are also something I can not live without now that I have met them.  It’s lovely to have finally found a group of amazing and special people, who I count upon during the good and bad times…who can understand what I am going through.  And it’s lovely that I am able to talk to them online via Skype and we can share our problems, or triumphs and have someone on the end of the computer to talk too when going through a horrible time of it, and know there is someone there who understands.  Love you guys and a special shout out to Marissa, Theresa, Lynda and Michele…

My Computer – Another love of mine and something that I couldn’t live without.  It enables me to buy things that I need such as new clothes, books or DVD’s, as I am not always able to get to the shops to buy these, especially long shopping trips due to the weakness in my legs and the inability to stand for very long.  As I found recently, when I have had the rare chance to get out, not all clothes shops even have benches or seats in their changing rooms, which I need to use, and as a result had a few falls whilst trying some clothes on – online shopping makes it so much easier in that I can order clothes and have them sent to me and can try them on at home.  Also enables me to Skype with friends who I have made online and who are very special to me, and other chores such as paying rent or researching and of course writing the blog!!…

My extensive DVD Boxset Collection – Yes, I have quite the Boxset Collection in my possession – CSI, Bones, Criminal Minds, Grey’s Anatomy, Private Practice and the rest.  But these are great at keeping me occupied during the times I am alone, stuck inside the house, or to give me escapism from my illness.  They also come in handy, on the ‘very bad days’ when my legs are so weak, and I am feeling very bad that I cannot get out of bed, and so they are excellent at keeping me occupied and entertained during those time…

Music – Yes, music is another passion of mine.  I love all different types – pop, rock, jazz, blues.  I listen to it when doing chores, or am stuck in bed, when I’m on the computer, to remember memories from the past or to create new ones. Music to make me happy or to wallow in when feeling sad.

Twitter and Facebook – I probably could live without these, but these are excellent resources for finding friends new and old, for keeping in touch with friends or family living near or far, or for generally keeping in touch with the latest news or gossip.  I use it a lot for the support group aspect – for making new friends who may be experiencing similar problems as me.  They are also fantastic for reaching out to different companies or for finding organisations which may be able to provide support or help. Also, a great tool for spreading the words of my blog and to let people know when there is a new post up…

Books – I could not live without my books…especially my Jodi Picoult novels as I adore all of her work and is a writer I really admire.  Love books which can provide escapism, to take you off and wonder different countries or worlds. Books which explore the past, present and future.  And especially, as with Jodi Picoult books, ones which make you think and question different moral and ethical questions.  If there are any avid readers out there, I would thoroughly recommend Jodi Picoult’s works!!  And there are an extensive number of books, to help you learn help you with particular problems or concerns.  Having a chronic and invisible illness can be so tough, knowing that there isn’t a cure out there or no treatments that can really help, so I have found a book called ‘Sick and Tired of Feeling Sick and Tired’…a books which provides hope and coping strategies for those like me suffering from an invisible chronic illness, and how to deal with the emotions and difficulties that come with living with them.  A book that has also been recommended to me is ‘How to Be Sick by Toni Bernhard.  All books mentioned can be found at Amazon.com (US), Amazon.ca (Canada) or Amazon.co.uk (UK).

So those are my Top 10 of things that I couldn’t live without, what are yours?

All comments welcome….

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HAWMC Day 12: Stream of Consciousness Day…

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A brand new day…and a brand new post as part of WEGO Health 30 day, 30 Posts Challenge for the Health Activist Writer’s Month Challenge. So today’s prompt is the following:

Start with the sentence “This morning I looked in the mirror…” just write, don’t stop, don’t edit. Post!

Okay so here it goes….

Today I looked in the mirror. I saw myself – dark circles, pale. Might be due to the fact that I had a rough night, woke up with the dizziness and when I woke up from it, I found myself holding onto the bars on my headboard – I must even be dizzy in my dreams!!

Even though looking at me, you wouldn’t be able to tell that I was suffering from a ‘disability’. However, saying this I have had many comments, especially of late when it seems my condition has deteriorated somewhat that I look very unwell – with my very pale complexion and bags under the eyes. So, I have started using tinted mosituriser and blusher when going out, whether it be to my voluntary placement, or a mini day-out, to give the illusion of a healthy and natural glow.

The only time that looking unwell is useful, is trips to the doctors’ office or hospital appointments. Sometimes it seems that if you look healthy, there can’t be much wrong with you. I certainly have had experience with doctors’ who have this idea, and often they are more likely to take you seriously if you indeed look ‘sick’.

I remember when I was younger, and kept going back to the doctors because of the frequent dizziness and constantly been sent for blood tests to check if I had anaemia because I was so pale…

It’s ridiculous, surely doctors’ should by now realise that not all conditions are visible, there a lot of conditions that are recognised nowadays that are certainly classed as ‘invisible illnesses’ and just because someone looks well and healthy does not mean that they are…

Remember, you cannot “judge a book by its cover”….

Image: http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/booksblog/2008/may/22/howtojudgeabookbyitscov

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