I think most of us who have been with the TMIC for a long time -- at least
those who have participated -- I know there are many who just read and don't
write in -- have "laid it all out there" about our particular symptoms and
issues at some time or another, but don't necessarily bring it up every week.
I'm more than happy, though, to share those things when a particular subject
comes up or someone asks a question that I think my experience might be
helpful
in relating.
Something I have found, too, is that the more I think about the symptoms I
struggle with -- the worse they are, the more magnified they are. Going on and
thinking about something else and doing other things takes my mind off of
them and thereby relives them just a little.
Maybe some are reluctant to share because they are used to others not really
understanding -- but that is what so many of us have discovered about the
beauty of the TMIC -- that there are people who DO understand.
I don't know, but I don't think there are many, if any, who don't share
their particulars pains or issues because of pride.
Barbara H.
_http://barbarah.wordpress.com/_ (http://barbarah.wordpress.com/)
In a message dated 5/26/2007 4:37:59 AM Eastern Daylight Time,
[EMAIL PROTECTED] writes:
This is a subject that I have not seen debated in the five years I have been
a member of this exclusive club of amazing, diverse people brought together
by a common problem...TM.
I recently received an email from someone who has been on the list quite a
while. This person has troubles just like the rest of us and we help one
another when we can, but I only tonight found out that they are in extreme
pain
and at times can only sit for a few seconds at a time. Yet, they take any
amount of time they can handle to use their knowledge to educate us and
promote
dialogue between us, in spite of being racked by pain.
This person is one of the "walking wounded" and was, I thought, in pretty
good condition. Tonight, I learned that conception has not been true...and I
find myself amazed to find the depth of their disability.
Now, I am wondering how important it is for us to put on a happy face and
keep our infirmities to ourselves rather than getting honest and sharing our
limitations with the possibility of connecting with someone else, especially
new members in need of knowing that they are not crazy and other people have
the same problems that they do?
I believe that it is possible to maintain a positive attitude while humbling
ourselves enough to show others on the List the true person we are. There
are ways to share our pain, frustration, loss, etc. without sounding like a
whining baby.
Who believes that it is important to put our honest personage out there?
Does it help others? Does it help ourselves to talk about things? Or does
it
serve others better to be stoic about our disease? I'd really like to
know...
I love you all,
Jude T3 to T8, Complete para with no b or b control,
and not a lot of hope of ever walking again.
"Our present troubles are quite small and won't last very long. Yet they
produce for us an immeasurably great Glory that will last forever"
2 Corinthians 4:17
NLT
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