I can’t begin to catch you up on where I’ve been lately. Mostly, it’s the continuing saga of a long string of challenges. I can no longer categorize these challenges as either “good” or “bad”. I’m either in a really Zen place or I’m totally shut down, or I’m a bit of both! Over the past year, my health continued to decline, my better half and I have dealt with loss and illness in the family, and it culminated recently with job loss and financial collapse. What I would have until recently regarded as disaster, I now see as a kind of gift: a chance to begin again with the goal of living a simpler life doing what really matters. My decision to persevere with my commitment to the International Foundation of Autoimmune Arthritis (IFAA) as a volunteer Blog Leader is part of that.
In just a few hours, World Autoimmune Arthritis Day 2014 begins. It’s a virtual online convention, which means you can join in from wherever you live, as long as you have an Internet connection. If you can’t leave your bed or your home, you still have an opportunity to attend. I will be chatting with folks about Sjogren’s syndrome and an important and lesser discussed symptom, fatigue.
Fatigue with an autoimmune disease affects everything you do and shades every single aspect of your life. Developing skills to manage fatigue is a lifelong journey, and there are times when life circumstances (for example, moving homes in a couple of weeks) makes it impossible to do all the right things to preserve your energy and sanity. So, I’m taking the opportunity at the end of such a chaotic time to describe what autoimmune fatigue is actually like and to discuss (from amidst a pile of unpacked boxes!), what we can do to manage fatigue. Most of all, we’ll discuss strategies to cope with fatigue so that we can live a life that really matters. At the end of the chat, which is tentatively slated to last 30 minutes, I’ll open the floor to a general question and answer session about Sjogren’s syndrome.
To chat with me, join me during WAAD14 on May 19th, 2014, at 10 PM ET/US (7 PM PT/US) at the Blogger Meet and Greet Booth, Exhibit Hall 3.
Registration for the event is open, and costs $7 during the event. I’ll give you information about signing up just below. Funds raised during WAAD14, are used to research autoimmune diseases that are characterized by inflammatory arthritis, so it’s a great time to learn more about these diseases, while contributing to research at the same time!
I’d be honoured to meet you there!
Blessings,
Jane
2 Responses
Good Morning Jane, I am pleased to be able to joint the WAAD14 to speak with you. On a personal note, I would like your expertise on many questions I have regarding debilitating fatigue; depression; and keeping up with the world of work. I have followed you for a while now and feel that you are the best candidate to receive the information. I can’t wait to speak with you tonight and become part of the WAAD14. I have never become part of any online socializing; so this will be a first. Hope you are feeling a little better. Maggie Shannon
Hi Maggie,
That’s awesome – it will be great to talk to you later. I hope you will enjoy WAAD – so far I am too tired to enjoy it properly – isn’t that the way! I’m just going to rest for a bit so I will be brighter for the chat later on.
I recommend you try logging in early and finding your way to the chat – it took me a while to log in and find Exhibition Hall 3. The Blogger Meet and Greet is available under the image “Systemically Connected” in the bottom right corner. You should see the chat from earlier, so that will let you know that you are in the right place. :)
Talk to you soon!
Take care,
Jane