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What is National Invisible Chronic Illness Awareness Week?
Do you feel lonely in your invisible illness?
Misunderstood? Frustrated?
You aren't alone. 96% of illness is the USA is invisible. You've come to the right place to help create an awareness!
National Invisible Chronic Illness Awareness Week, held annually in September, is a designated time, worldwide, in which people who live with chronic illness, those that love them, and organizations are encouraged to educate the general public, churches, healthcare professionals and government officials about the impact of living with a chronic illness that is not visually apparent.
You may have an invisible chronic illness, and that ride is and emotional roller coaster. Join us as we increase the awareness that 96% of all illness is invisible!
When Your Illness Is Invisible
Does this sound familiar?
"But you look so good!""I can tell you must be feeling better. You look great!"
"I'm so glad you were able to come. Thank goodness you finally are getting some relief."
To a healthy person, none of these comments seem unusual or insincere. Our friends are simply trying to find the right thing to say. Of course, they really do believe that you must be feeling better or you wouldn't be out of bed. Those of us who are ill, however, understand that if we stayed in bed until we felt better, we would never leave the bedroom and we would miss out on life. So we get out of bed. We put our energy into finding something to wear that doesn't clash too badly; something that looks acceptable, despite the wrinkles. We search for the lipstick that we used last week. We dig through the closet looking for something that resembles a shoe. And we go on. We go out.
To read more visit the NICIAW web site at http://www.invisibleillness.com and look under "articles."
Desperately Seeking Comfort?
ThermaCare Air-Activated Neck to Arm Heatwraps, 3-Count Boxes (Pack of 3)
Amazon Price: (as of 10/11/2008)
Lavender Wrap - Aromatherapy Hot/ Cold Therapeutic Wrap - Microwaveable Heat Pack - Moist Heat Herbal Wrap
Amazon Price: $39.99 (as of 10/11/2008)
Cuddle Ewe™ Underquilt & Free Pillow (Queen Size)
Amazon Price: $348.00 (as of 10/11/2008)
HoMedics SQM-N1 Squish Massaging Neck Pillow
Amazon Price: (as of 10/11/2008)
Great Chronic Illness Web Sites!
- But You Don't Look Sick
- ButYouDontLookSick.com magazine is about living life to the fullest with any disability, invisible disease, or chronic pain and hopes to provide answers to the endless questions of: But you don't look sick?
- Chronic Babe
- If you're a sick chick in search of like-minded folks-the kind of people who are living well in spite of illness-you're in the right place! ChronicBabe offers hundreds of resources designed to help you keep on being a Babe, even if you're a sick chick.
- The Invisible Disabilities Advocate
- The Invisible Disabilities Advocate strives to help friends and family better understand chronic illness and pain, as well as learn how to be a source of encouragement and support.
- National Invisible Chronic Illness Awareness Week
- National Invisible Chronic Illness Awareness Week, held annually in September, is a designated time, worldwide, in which people who live with chronic illness, those that love them, and organizations are encouraged to educate the general public, churches, healthcare professionals and government officials about the impact of living with a chronic illness that is not visually apparent.
- Just Fine: Unmasking Concealed Chronic Illness and Pain
- Sometimes it takes words and pictures to tell a complete story. In an extensive new work entitled "Just Fine: Unmasking Concealed Chronic Illness and Pain," the author, Carol Sveilich, reveals the dichotomy of appearing one way while feeling quite another. This unique book of "show and tell" literally shows the truth of concealed illness and cloaked symptoms through photographs and personal profiles. By blending her extensive photographic skills with years of writing, counseling and interview experience, She has produced an innovative and artistic vehicle for exploring chronic disorders that are easily concealed.
- Pds Facts - Disability Information You Need!
- Provides amazing resources for and workbooks to lead people applying for Social Security disability benefits through it step by step and greatly increase the odds of approval in the first round of application.
- National Pain Foundation
- An on-line educational and support community for persons in pain, their families and physicians. Your source for treatment options and pain information that is peer reviewed by leading pain specialists.
- Rest Ministries, founder of Invisible Illness Week
- Rest Ministries, Inc.%u2122 is a non-profit Christian organization that exists to serve people who live with chronic illness or pain, and their families, by providing spiritual, emotional, relational, and practical support through a variety of programs and resources, including HopeKeepers groups, online communities, daily devotionals, HopeKeepers® Magazine, Bible studies and small group materials.
We also seek to bring an awareness and a change in action throughout churches in the US, in regard to how people who live with chronic illness or pain are served, and teach churches effective ministry tools in ministering to this population. One tool for this purpose is National Invisible Chronic Illness Awareness Week, of which we are the founders and sponsors.
Video of founder of Invisible Illness Week
An Invisible Illness Week video is coming soon!
Rest Ministries Chronic Illness Video
This is a promotional video about a Christian ministry that serves those who live with chronic illness or pain. Rest Ministries is also the sponsor of National Invisible Chronic Illness Awareness Week and HopeKeepers
Runtime: 4:48
5758 views
10 Comments:
Household products to make life easier living with illness
Clorox BathWand Starter Kit, Case Pack, Six - 1 Count Kits (6 Kits)
Amazon Price: $66.26 (as of 10/11/2008)
Panasonic MC-V5485 HEPA Bagless Fold ' N Go Vacuum
Amazon Price: (as of 10/11/2008)
Black & Decker JW200 Lids Off Jar Opener, White
Amazon Price: $24.99 (as of 10/11/2008)
ReadiVac 39454 PowerPan Cordless Dustpan
Amazon Price: $14.99 (as of 10/11/2008)
Cascade 2-in-1 Action Pacs Dishwasher Detergent, Cinnamon Apple Spice Scent, 20-Count Bags (Pack of 5)
Amazon Price: (as of 10/11/2008)
New Guestbook
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SBernheart
What a GREAT week, huh? I was able to visit four of the seminars and I enjoyed each of them. I can't wait 'till the transcripts are available to see what else I missed and to share the information with our 'Fibromyalgia Group' at CarePlace! Again, thanks for all of your hard work!! Posted September 17, 2007 |
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rogercarr
Lisa, Posted September 02, 2007 |
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SheilaEllis
Hi! I just wanted to let everyone know that you don't have to let chronic illness get you down. I have fibromyalgia and I just published a children's story! If you want to learn more visit our lens. Never give up! Posted August 29, 2007 |
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APWearsPink
I know how difficult it is to cope with an illness that no one can see - I suffer with ME/CFS. I can relate to the well-intentioned comments about how well you look. If only they knew how you felt inside. Thanks for providing this lens - together, we can spread the word. Posted August 23, 2007 |
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ConnieW
I love your site! Lots of good information. Check out my site, too. www.squidoo.com/organdonor Posted August 06, 2007 |
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Invisible_Disabilities_Advocate
Hi Lisa! Thank you SO much the incredible work you do for people living with chronic illness and pain! You are an inspiration and your organizations are helping SO many! Posted August 05, 2007 |
Invisible Illness Week Blog Updates
Keep in touch with everything Invisible Illness Week! As the week grows closer there are updated 2-3 times a day with all of the information you will need when you need it!
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