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Be Forever Strong

December 23, 2020

Staying Forever Strong Interview with Leslie McKee

Today’s Interview was with Leslie McKee. She is a warrior battling Fibromyalgia and Migraines. She talked about her support system and advice she has for those who are recently diagnosed.

What do you suffer from?

Key diagnoses are fibromyalgia and migraines, though there are others

When were you diagnosed?

2004 (fibro), ten years after it started

What was it like when you were diagnosed?

A huge relief (having confirmation that it wasn’t all in my head)

Did you know a lot about your condition?

Quite a bit, though I know more now

What was your support system like? What is it like now?

Supportive

What is a piece of advice you have for someone who doesn’t understand or believe?

Keep an open mind, listen, and educate yourself to understand what your friend or loved one is going through.

What is the hardest part about dealing with your illnesses?

The fact that it’s invisible and people assuming that since I look fine on the outside, I must be fine on the inside

What is a piece of advice you have for anyone who is just being diagnosed?

Advocate for yourself! You know you and your body better than anyone else.

What helps to keep you Forever Strong?

My faith and family

December 16, 2020

Staying Forever Strong with Yvette Putter

This week I interviewed Chronic Illness warrior and blogger Yvette Putter. We talked all about her different illnesses and how she overcomes the hard times.

What do you suffer from?

Myalgic Enphitis, Fibromyalgia, POTS

When were you diagnosed?

5 years ago

What was it like when you were diagnosed?

Mixed bag of emotions

Did you know a lot about your condition?

No

What is a piece of advice you have for someone who doesn’t understand or believe?

I no longer try to convince others. But I can direct them to good mecical sites.

What was your support system like? What is it like now?

It has diminshed, but also I am well supported by the few who are left.

What is the hardest part about dealing with (issue)?

The need to pace – especially in a career perspective.

What is a piece of advice you have for anyone who is just being diagnosed?

Take your time go process, heal emotionally/mentally and then move forward.

What helps to keep you Forever Strong?

A desire to lead a happy life.

December 9, 2020

Staying Forever Strong with Sheryl Chan of a Chronic Voice

This week I interviewed Sheryl Chan Chronic Illness warrior and the voice behind the brand A Chronic Voice. She had a lot of great things to say about what she has gone through.

What do you suffer from?

Antiphospholipid Syndrome Lupus (SLE) Sjögren’s Syndrome Epilepsy PSVT (a heart rhythm disorder) A repaired mitral valve Clinical depression & anxiety.

When were you diagnosed?

2000 (14 years old)

What was it like when you were diagnosed?

Scary, fearful.

Did you know a lot about your condition?

Not one bit.

What was your support system like? What is it like now?

My mum mostly. Doctor back then was awful and even mocked me for crying at my first diagnosis.

What is the hardest part about dealing with (issue)?

The unpredictability of pain.

What is a piece of advice you have for anyone who is just being diagnosed?

Always trust your instincts – you are in pain, don’t doubt yourself.

What is a piece of advice you have for someone who doesn’t understand or believe?

They wouldn’t listen to advice anyway so I’d try and direct them to some actually good movies or books.

What helps to keep you Forever Strong?

That as a human being I am always vulnerable, but as a human being I am also forever adaptable.

December 2, 2020

Staying Forever Strong with Casey Stanley

This week I interviewed chronic pain warrior Casey. We talked all about how she was diagnosed with her chronic pain and what she has done since. She also had some great advice on those newly diagnosed.

What do you suffer from?

Fibromyalgia, Asthma, Anxiety and Depression

When were you diagnosed?

I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia, (which is my main condition) when I was 16.

What was it like when you were diagnosed?

Tough. With everything I had gone though, it took years for me to even believe that what was wrong with me was that. Did you know a lot about your condition?

I knew nothing about my condition. I was diagnosed and told to live with the condition. I was misdiagnosed with a lot of things before hand though so it was hard for me to believe that was what I had.

What is a piece of advice you have for someone who doesn’t understand or believe?

Look it up. Take the time to actual research what other people are going through. It’s hard enough for them to deal with what they are going through. They need support more than anything.

What was your support system like? What is it like now?

There was no support from school or doctors. I still don’t have a doctor to review my condition.

What is the hardest part about dealing with Your Illnesses?

The hardest part was other people. Getting the things I really needed in school. Getting any medication or doctor to even believe how much pain I was really in. I still struggle to this day. People don’t see you as disabled so you have to fight for everything.

What is a piece of advice you have for anyone who is just being diagnosed?

It’s gonna take a while to sink in. It will take a lot of self reflection and coming to terms with the condition. The internet really is a great place to find people who truly understands what you’re going through though. It can often give you much more information on your condition as well.

What helps to keep you Forever Strong?

I want to help others more than anything. I want to help people to learn about what we go through. To spread awareness and understanding. These conditions are real. Just because you can’t physically see it, it doesn’t mean it is all our heads.

November 25, 2020

Staying Forever Strong with Rachael Tomlinson

Today on Staying Strong Forever Strong I spoke with Primary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis warrior and I loved hearing her honesty.

What do you suffer from?

Primary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis

When were you diagnosed?

2018

What was it like when you were diagnosed?

A relief as what I had been experiencing finally had a name and I wasn’t being dismissed

Did you know a lot about your condition?

Not a lot no

What was your support system like? What is it like now?

I have been fortunate to have a good support system of family and friends

What is the hardest part about dealing with (issue)?

Accepting that my deterioration is permanent

What is a piece of advice you have for anyone who is just being diagnosed?

No two people with MS have it the same, you will go through a rollercoaster of emotions, don’t be afraid to ask for help when you need it.

What is a piece of advice you have for someone who doesn’t understand or believe?

Not all disabilties and illness is visable

What helps to keep you Forever Strong?

That’s a tough one because I am not sure I always am.

November 18, 2020

Staying Forever Strong Interview with Clinical Social Worker Monica Goodwin

I loved talking with Monica Goodwin all about how she got into her profession. She shared with us the best and hardest part of her career and advice she has for people suffering.

What is your profession and title?

Clinical Social Worker LLMSW

Why did you decide to go into Your Profession?

I wanted to be in the helping profession because I believe that everyone can benefit from therapy. I know that when a person finds the right “fit” with a therapist it can open up the door to tremendous growth and personal awareness. There’s a safety within the walls of that alliance that promotes introspection and change. I want to be that source of light for my clients.

What is the best thing about what you do?

I like being the person who can be there for my clients, helping them to feel heard, offering them honesty and a safe forum where they won’t be judged.

What is the hardest thing about what you do?

Pain and grief will find its way to each of us no matter what we do. I can’t eliminate pain and grief .. but I can listen.

What is some advice you have for those struggling with (mental health, illness and or pain)?

I think it’s important to reach out to someone, don’t suffer alone. Additionally, find ways to focus your mental energy in a mindful way because your thoughts can impact your physicality.

What does mental health mean to you?

Just like your physical health, your mental health is equally important. Mental health means an awareness of your emotional and psychological states and taking care of both. Getting help when you need it and not being embarrassed or afraid to say “I’m not ok today”.

What is a day in the life like for you at work?

It varies .. no day is exactly the same because no client is exactly the same.

How do you separate work from home life, especially if it was a tough day?

That can be tough some days. Life is messy and difficult and sometimes extremely unfair. Most therapists are empaths, meaning they feel others pain, so obviously it can impact our lives because we are human. That’s why self care is stressed so highly in our field. Being aware of burnout, taking time to to meditate, work out, or talk to our own therapist can help. I have a great support system of family and friends Sometimes just being with the people I love and practicing gratitude helps me.

Have you had any experince with (mental health, pain or illness) and has that helped or hindered you with work?

I don’t think anyone gets through life without dealing with something painful, either physically or mentally. For me, knowing that I have been able to weather many difficult storms in my own life has given me an awareness that no matter what is happening in life, it keeps moving forward .. change is happening every moment of our days.. so just take each moment as it comes, be in that moment and if it doesn’t feel good right now, maybe it will be better in five minutes, five hours or five days.

Is there anything else you want us to know about you or the field?

I love the helping profession and I worked very hard to earn my MSW while raising my family and going to school at the same time. I had an amazing support system who pushed me to accomplish my goal of being a therapist. There’s that story about a little boy on a beach with thousands of starfish that are washed ashore and how he throws one back periodically as he’s walking along the beach.. his friend asks how it can help throwing one back periodically when there are so many starfish left and the boy responds “ it helps the ones I can throw back”.. I can’t help everyone but if I can help even one person I’m happy.

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About Me

AvatarI am the author of With Love, Ella, and Daniel, Ever After. I am also the voice behind the blog and podcast called With Love Alexa. I created my brand after a traumatic brain injury caused me to have chronic pain and suffer in silence. I want to be the voice for those who can't advocate for themselves.

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  • Staying Forever Strong Interview with Leslie McKee December 23, 2020
  • Staying Forever Strong with Yvette Putter December 16, 2020
  • Staying Forever Strong with Sheryl Chan of a Chronic Voice December 9, 2020
  • Staying Forever Strong with Casey Stanley December 2, 2020
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