Project Spoonies

May is Women’s Health Care Month. Receiving adequate health care is incredibly important for Spoonies, but women often face additional challenges in terms of health care. Medical gaslighting, as we have covered before, is an extremely common experience for women, and especially Spoonies. For our female Spoonies, May is a crucial month to highlight the disparities in the healthcare system. Use this month as an opportunity to speak up for yourself and spread awareness about the importance of healthcare for women.



Information from: http://www.holidays-and-observances.com/health-holidays.html

It can be easy to demonize your body and blame it for having a chronic illness/disability. Battling your body, however, ultimately makes healing more difficult and prolongs the process. Forgiving your body and yourself is the first step to healing, because you are not your body, nor are you your illnesses/disability.



Information from: https://themighty.com/2020/03/body-dysmorphia-women-chronic-illness/

Ensuring accessibility is not merely a recommendation; it is the LAW. Businesses, including universities, are required to provide accessible options to those with disabilities, yet many still do not. If you or someone you know has encountered accessibility issues, there is something you can do. You can call the ADA to complain, and you also have the option to submit a report. Help improve accessibility by reporting these instances because lacking accessibility is breaking the law.

Information from: https://kb.iu.edu/d/atpk

Blogger Lindsey Morgan shares her experience with healing from POTS, as well as the anxiety, depression, and PTSD that she developed as a result of her illness. In this post, Lindsey describes her ongoing battle with her chronic conditions, detailing how painful healing can be. Despite this battle, Lindsey was able to find the side of her condition where “... hope, peace, healing and freedom live”. We have found Lindsey’s story inspiring, and we encourage our fellow spoonies to take a moment to visit her website linked below.
https://lindseymorganphotography.com/2018/03/06/my-story-of-overcoming-chronic-illness/

We have covered medical gaslighting before, however it can be extremely tricky when navigating accessing the care you need. We have provided some reminders for you when encountering a gaslighting doctor, which is unfortunately a common experience for Spoonies.

Information from: https://www.health.com/mind-body/is-your-doctor-gaslighting-you

Blogger Lindsey Morgan shares her experience with healing from POTS, as well as the anxiety, depression, and PTSD that she developed as a result of her illness. In this post, Lindsey describes her ongoing battle with her chronic conditions, detailing how painful healing can be. Despite this battle, Lindsey was able to find the side of her condition where “... hope, peace, healing and freedom live”. We have found Lindsey’s story inspiring, and we encourage our fellow spoonies to take a moment to visit her website linked below.
https://lindseymorganphotography.com/2018/03/06/my-story-of-overcoming-chronic-illness/

When dealing with a chronic illness, every single day might seem like a chore or a task. Life might be physically, mentally, emotionally and/or spiritually exhausting. Today we just want to remind our members that it’s okay to take a nap, sleep in, or rest. It’s okay to not feel okay!

March is a major month for those with chronic illnesses. It awareness month for endometriosis, multiple sclerosis, and cerebral palsy.

Information from: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/endometriosis/symptoms-causes/syc-20354656 #:~:text=Endometriosis%20(en%2Ddoe%2Dme,the%20tissue%20lining%20your%20pelvis.
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/multiple-sclerosis/symptoms-causes/syc-20350269
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/cerebral-palsy/symptoms-causes/syc-20353999

Endometriosis, Multiple Sclerosis, and Cerebral Palsy are all observed during the month of March. Although it is important to spread awareness on chronic illness during each month of the year, it is especially important to do so during now. With that being said, throughout the month of March, we will be posting information regarding each of the above illnesses to spread awareness and support. Stay tuned for next week’s post to learn more!

Information from: https://www.google.com/search?q=is+cerebral+palsy+a+chornic+illness&sxsrf=APq-WBtPep5u7gU3HiJnYCOaaIR4qFdomw%3A1645640166720&ei=5nkWYoi1K77TytMP-IuCkAE&ved=0ahUKEwiIwMKst5b2AhW-qXIEHfiFABIQ4dUDCA4&uact=5&oq=is+cerebral+palsy+a+chornic+illness&gs_lcp=Cgdnd3Mtd2l6EAMyBAgAEA0yBggAEBYQHjIFCAAQhgMyBQgAEIYDMgUIABCGAzoHCCMQsQIQJzoHCAAQsQMQCjoKCAAQsQMQgwEQQzoECAAQCjoECAAQQzoFCAAQgAQ6CAghEBYQHRAeOggIABAIEA0QHkoECEEYAEoECEYYAFDpEVi3QGDnQWgCcAF4AIABuAGIAZ8RkgEEMjAuNJgBAKABAcABAQ&sclient=gws-wiz

For this Feel-Good Friday, think about media that you enjoy. What is a TV show or movie that you have seen with representation from the chronic illness and disability community? Has this representation impacted how you or others around you view disability? In what ways does the media positively or negatively portray chronic illness? Comment your thoughts!

As midterms approach, it is important to check in with yourself. It can be easy to become distracted, however YOU are always the first priority. Use this post to take a moment to think about how you are doing and feeling today. If you chose C or D, it may be time to step back and take a break. We know everyone is busy, but taking the time to assess your well-being can help with both symptom and stress management. So, how are you really doing today? Let us know in the comments!

In honor of Black History Month, we want to discuss a detrimental issue that is faced by not only the black community but other minority populations as well. Health disparities impact every aspect of health, including chronic illnesses. Health disparities can pose significant barriers to treatment, which can be fatal, especially for those with chronic conditions.

Information from: https://www.cdc.gov/healthyyouth/disparities/index.htm #:~:text=Health%20disparities%20are%20preventable%20differences,experienced%20by%20socially%20disadvantaged%20populations.&text=We%20can%20improve%20health%20risks,addressing%20social%20determinants%20of%20health.