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.

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.

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.