Presence @ 2014 Jane Waterman
Invisible illnesses

Being Okay with What Is

Letting life be what it is at any given moment is not something that comes naturally to us. I was reminded of this as a student from my new chair yoga class (wow!) observed that I looked tired. I confirmed that I was, and she asked what I would be

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Namaste © 2012 Jane Waterman
Healing toolkit

Beginning with Chronic Illness

I feel like I’ve waited my whole life to begin. In my young life, there were smaller obstacles: a lack of confidence and encouraging remarks, as well as the feeling of being different and sensitive in a noisy, overwhelming world. In my twenties, there came other challenges like physical and mental illness.

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Eternity © 2004 Jane Waterman
Invisible illnesses

Watermark

A watermark is an outline of the tide’s advance and retreat. In some ways I feel like I am part of that outline, lying at low ebb, among the beautiful broken detritus of the sea. These last weeks I have been merely functioning: meeting the very real needs of the

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After Munch #11 © 2012 Jane Waterman
Invisible illnesses

Fit, Fat and Chronically Ill

I wrote this post back on January 6, 2013. I suppose like anyone who is considered medically obese, I get nervous giving an audience ammunition. However, I’ve let that fear go enough to believe this needs to be said. This post began as a quiet plea – now it is

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After Vincent #5 © 2012 Jane Waterman
Invisible illness advocacy

Activist Love

I’m taking part in WEGO Health’s Health Activist Writer’s Month Challenge Day 14 #HAWMC – Thank a few of your fellow Health Activists for what they have done. Call them out by name or twitter handle. Share your love. I concur with many of my fellow health activists, and as I

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Love © 2002 Carmen Waterman
Invisible illnesses

Guest Post: Caregiving 101

I’m taking part in WEGO Health’s Health Activist Writer’s Month Challenge Day 9 #HAWMC – As a parent with health conditions or parent to a child(ren) with health conditions, what do you hope you’re doing right? Today I’m thrilled to present the first guest blog post on Blackbird at Night, written

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Invisible illnesses

Canary In A Coal Mine

I’m taking part in WEGO Health’s Health Activist Writer’s Month Challenge Day 8 #HAWMC – If your health condition (or the health condition of a loved one!) was an animal, what would it be? Is it a real animal or make believe? If either Sjogren’s or depression were an animal, I

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Balance © 2012 Jane Waterman
Invisible illnesses

The Law of Attracting Nonsense

I’m taking part in WEGO Health’s Health Activist Writer’s Month Challenge Day 7 #HAWMC – Say WHAT!? What’s the most ridiculous thing you’ve heard about health or your condition? Where did you hear it and what did you think? I’ve heard a lot of ridiculous things over my 24 year ‘career’

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Garden of Time © 2003 Jane Waterman
Creativity

To My Future Self

I’m taking part in WEGO Health’s Health Activist Writer’s Month Challenge Day 6 #HAWMC – Write a letter to an older you (tell us what age you’re writing to!). What do you want to ask yourself? What lesson do you want to make sure you remember? I’m writing to my

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Behind Glass © 2003 Jane Waterman
Invisible illnesses

Introduction to Sjogren’s Syndrome and Depression

I’m taking part in WEGO Health’s Health Activist Writer’s Month Challenge Day 2 #HAWMC – Introduce your condition(s) to other Health Activists. What are 5 things you want them to know about your condition/your activism? Sjogren’s Syndrome – Like me, you may have never have heard of it before you or a

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