this is probably the first question we have all asked. its the 1st thing that comes to mind when one is diagnosed with a chronic illness. and then another, and sometimes another. why?

This came up in part @ Healthevoices17 , in the form of Why do i advocate? In short i advocate because i was lucky enough to have a life changing illness. yep we all agree on that. but we didnt chose the illness it chose us. i guess being the chosen ones we are strong enough to not only fight the disease but get up everyday and advocate for it. without us many people simply wouldnt have the information they do now. they would be buying snake oils, and herbs, going on special diets, all while pouring thier earnings into a huge hole in the internet that gives way to these people.

i am proud for what i do and for the special family of advocates that i have become part of.

i maybe in pain today or tomorrow but i dont let that stop me from writing, doing videos, replying on twitter, or sharing my feelings in person.

 

 

disclaimer :  Janssen Global Services paid for my travel expenses for the conference. All thoughts and opinions expressed here are my own.

Its been a couple weeks since HealtheVoices17. A few of us met up a day early and walked around Chicago, as its got to be the most beautiful city I have ever been in, and this was my 3rd time there number 4 is coming up in August, and i cant wait!.

We had lunch at the infamous http://www.billygoattavern.com/ yes we all had double Cheezborger, Cheezborger, Cheezborger.

For dinner we asked the locals who all pointed us to https://www.loumalnatis.com/

i must say thank you, i loved this pie, sausage, cheese, tomato on a buttercrust, OMG!.

At the event we solidified our personal group “IknowPsO” had some teachings from Chicago Storylands own Scott Whitehair. Awesome class, made us think quite a bit. We are all storytellers and i think this class helped us grow in that respect.

The next couple days were extremely emotional, many hugs were given, more friendships were born and others matured. Its such an empowering event everyone spilling their hearts shedding their tears as to why we advocate. Everyone has a story to tell even the people who put the event together. They may not advocate, but EVERYONE has a story to tell. Everyone has someone in their family who has been stricken by a illness, many incurable, and thats why we advocate.

Personally when i was diagnosed with Psoriasis i was devastated. Why me? Well Healthevoices has told me why this disease chose me. Im big enough to stand up to it, and speak out against it so others wont feel so lonely and afraid as i did back in 2007. I didn’t chose to be an advocate it chose me. Psoriasis has tested my limits, with not sleeping for days on end and then when the Psoriatic Arthritis came into play the fatigue and pain that kept me in bed for so long.

Life has handed me many curveballs, and i keep on, keeping on. I promise not to give up.

 

 

disclaimer :  Janssen Global Services paid for my travel expenses for the conference. All thoughts and opinions expressed here are my own.