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Sherri Connell

A Lifetime in 27 Years

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6 Ways to Build New Support When Facing Invisible Disabilities

November 13, 2015 By Sherri

6 Ways to Build New Support ImageBattling an illness, especially for an ongoing period of time, can bring about many losses, limitations and changes none of us would choose to face.

What’s more, it can be even harder to bear the adjustments when friends and family don’t seem to understand what we are going through or why the condition isn’t getting better.

Sadly, because of this lack of understanding, many relationships are broken. Frankly, sometimes loved ones don’t really want to work at it, watching us hurt may be too painful or they simply don’t know what to say.

Since most of us are accustomed to relying on loved ones, work and hobbies to keep us active socially, when those aspects in our lives dwindle down or disappear, we are left with a dilapidated infrastructure. As a result, we must learn to be intentional about building a new foundation of support and purpose.

Old and New Foundations

 

Here are a few building blocks I have discovered that are essential for us to embed into the groundwork of who we are and in our support community:

  • Loved Ones – Friends and family often try to be supportive by saying things they believe will encourage us to fight harder. Grievously, it can be hurtful when they say things such as, “But you LOOK good” or “Can’t you just try harder?” These kinds of statements can leave us feeling as if they have no idea how hard we are fighting and how much we want our lives back! Subsequently, loved ones may avoid us to avoid confrontation, take our saying “no” to a holiday dinner personally or inadvertently we become “out of sight, out of mind.” No matter what the reasons, we oftentimes feel misunderstood, abandoned and forgotten. Sometimes we have to work at keeping those relationships that aren’t perfect, but they are trying. Other times, we need to move on and find new relationships.
  • Medical Teams – Unfortunately, for many living with chronic illness, our worlds become full of tests, doctor appointments and treatments. Therefore, it is extremely important to build a great team of doctors, counselors and/or practitioners who care enough to listen and are capable of digging deeper into our case.
  • Social & Support – Finding a social outlet is crucial to combating loneliness. This can be found through a community center, club, church or support group where we can meet others who are facing similar life hardships. Of course, for many it is extremely difficult to get out and about. Thus, we can find ways that work for us, such as an online support group.
  • Purpose and Passion – We must remember that even without our careers or other things we have lost that gave us identity, we all have purpose and value. Therefore, we must grasp onto knowing that no matter what, our lives have meaning; we have meaning! To find our passion, sometimes we have to pull out an old hobby or create a new one such as artwork, crafts or writing. We can also find gratification in reaching out to others or volunteering. Even if we can’t get out of our homes to help in a local soup kitchen, we can send encouraging notes in the mail, by email, on social media or in an online support group. Who we are is what we enjoy, what we believe and how we love. Although how we express it can be limited, it can’t be taken away.
  • Healthy Living – Many people don’t think twice about the environment around us. Yet, it is important for us to do our best to rid our homes and bodies of unnecessary chemicals such as synthetically fragranced products, air fresheners and harsh cleaners. We can also seek out a healthy diet and nutritional plan, as well as address hidden food sensitivities, allergies or vitamin deficiencies. Being intentional about watching and listening to things that are encouraging or funny is another helpful strategy. Hope and laughter is good for the soul and the body. These things may not cure us, but we our giving our bodies the best fighting chance for optimum health.
  • Be An Advocate – Get involved in a non-profit organization that speaks to your fight. Support their cause. Tell others about their website and resources. Participate in their special projects.

2015 Invisible Disabilities Week:

One great opportunity to get involved is the 2015 Invisible Disabilities Week October 18-24.  It is a world-wide campaign for people living with illness, pain and injury, sponsored by the Invisible Disabilities Association.

There will be a week of activities people can participate in online! Participants will have the opportunity to share their stories, as well as spread awareness, education and support through photos, videos and MEME’s. This social media campaign will be on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram! Join us and see details at: InvisibleDisabilitiesWeek.org.

Sherri’s blog was published on The Mighty on 10/19/15. Some changes to the article on The Mighty were made by the editors. Main photo source: Thinkstock.


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♡ Sherri


#chronicillness #pain #injury #disability #disabled #invisibledisabilities #coping #support

Filed Under: Awareness, Making a Difference, Reaching Out to Others Tagged With: advocacy, author, awareness, chronic illness and pain, community, encouragement, environmental illness, fragrance-free, friends and family, healthy living, invisible disabilities, medical team, multiple chemical sensitivities, passion, personal story, purpose, relationships, support

The Adventures of Pumpkin and Cookie Now Available

April 1, 2014 By Sherri

The Adventures of Pumpkin and Cookie Sidebar www.PumpkinAndCookie.com

I finally completed a project I have been wanting to do for years! I am always so overwhelmed with just trying to survive, do my physical therapy, get my meals and go to my doctor appointments, that I never have time to do anything fun. I have dozens of art projects lined up, lots stories for books and stacks of frames by my desk. It is so frustrating to not be able to work on them!

I just had to put all my appointments aside and even went without meals (and showers) to write and illustrate this book. It was something I HAD to do for myself and my sanity. Thanks to my hubby and mom for the help, I got it done!

Here it is! The Adventures of Pumpkin and Cookie: Cookie Doesn’t Want to Be a Goat Anymore. Full color print. 36 pages. For children of all ages. Even adults love it!

Pumpkin and Cookie are on a quest to help other animals and encourage children with an awesome message! Come join us on our journey! 

Order Here!

ABOUT THE BOOK: The Adventures of Pumpkin and Cookie will take you on a journey with these amazing, real-life animals! Cookie Doesn’t Want to Be a Goat walks kids through Cookie’s struggle with being who she is … a goat. So, she decides she wants to be someone else. Maybe a frog, a bunny, a butterfly, a horse or a puppy?

In Cookie’s quest to become someone other than a goat, Pumpkin helps her realize that she should be herself. Pumpkin tells her she is unique and nobody else in the world is just like her. So, she needs to be the best goat she can be!

Pumpkin and Cookie’s book captures their incredible beauty and personalities with a fun life-impacting message for everyone!

BONUS PAGE: This book also includes a bonus page with QR Codes so kids can instantly watch videos of Real-Life Adventures with Pumpkin and Cookie!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: The Adventures of Pumpkin and Cookie was written and illustrated by Sherri Connell. Sherri was a singer, dancer, actress, model and accounting manager. She studied art and photography in high school and college. Since 1991, Sherri has been debilitated daily by Progressive Multiple Sclerosis, Late-Chronic Lyme Disease and Traumatic Brain Injury. Pumpkin and Cookie give Sherri smiles in the midst of her losses and pain. This hobby is very important and therapeutic for her life and overall well-being. Sherri’s husband, Wayne, has made this book available in print to give her a sense of accomplishment and joy in sharing her babies, as well as support great organizations.

PROCEEDS GO TO SOME GREAT CAUSES: Proceeds go to non-profit animal advocacy and rescue organizations, as well as organizations that serve people challenged by illness, pain, injury or cognitive disorders, such as the Invisible Disabilities Association.

Filed Under: Counting My Blessings, Living My Life, Safari Sherri's Animal World Tagged With: animals, art, author, book, counting my blessings, goats, just for fun, personal story, pets, the adventures of pumpkin and cookie

Meet My New Friends, Luis and Tuesday!

June 16, 2011 By Sherri

Meet my new friends, Luis and Tuesday! Let his story take you on a journey of how this soldier sustained debilitating, invisible injuries that nearly left him a prisoner in his own home. Luis lives with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and Traumatic Brain Injury.

It wasn’t until Tuesday, a Service Dog, came into his life and rescued him that Luis was able to live again. He is the author of the book, Until Tuesday: A wounded Warrior and the Golden Retriever Who Saved Him, which debuted at #18 on the New York Times Best Sellers List! Luis and Tuesday are bringing awareness and hope to those with PTSD and TBI.

Luis will be the Keynote Speaker for the 2011 Invisible Disabilities Association’s Honor Awards Banquet on October 2, 2011. He will also be in Denver at the Tattered Cover Bookstore on July 12th. See their site to find out when he will be in a city near you!

Watch Luis and Tuesday’s Story

Facebook: Luis and Tuesday on Facebook

Official Site: Until Tuesday

See Luis and Tuesday on CNN: Fmr. Army Captain: Dog saved my life

See Luis and Tuesday on CNN: Service dogs essential to military. CNN. May 6, 2011

Filed Under: Counting My Blessings, Living My Life Tagged With: author, awareness, book, invisible disabilities, luis carlos montalvan, personal story, post traumatic stress disorder, service dog, traumatic brain injury, veterans, video

About Me

About Me

I am a singer, dancer, actress, model. ... Oh wait! That was my life BEFORE Lyme Disease, Multiple Sclerosis, Traumatic Brain Injury and Chemical Injury. Join me on my pursuit to find joy in the midst of loss and pain! The one thing I certainly still have in this life is my humor! I hope you enjoy my blog full of information about living with disabling illness, pain and loss, as well as counting my blessings and just being plain silly!

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In the Media with Sherri

In the Media with Sherri

TELEVISION: Tick Bite Changed My Life Forever
PARENT MAGAZINE: Living w/ Invisible Disability
FORBES MAGAZINE: Break Down the Barriers
AUDIO: Living with Late-Chronic Lyme Disease
AUDIO: Marriage with Chronic Illness
AUDIO: Reaching Out to Others
VIDEO: What to Say, Not to Say, How to Help

Tick Bite Changed My Life

Living with Debilitating Illness and Pain

We Can All Make a Difference

Friendship Over Fragrances

MCS with Pluto and Minnie

MCS Can Be Lonely

Snickers the Amazing Alert Dog

Show Someone You Love Them

The Adventures of Pumpkin and Cookie

The Adventures of Pumpkin and Cookie

The Adventures of Pumpkin and Cookie
Facebook
Twitter
YouTube

Pumpkin Plots Mission Impossible

Pumpkin and Cookie Litter-box Trained

Pumpkin and Cookie Jump and Slide

Additional Favorite Websites

Calvary Chapel Aurora - Ed Taylor
Cleaner Indoor Air Campaign
Invisible Disabilities Association (IDA)
Invisible Disabilities Community
IDA on Facebook
IDA on YouTube
Where Is God Ministries

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