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Sherri Connell

A Lifetime in 27 Years

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The World Lost a Spectacular Person

October 3, 2019 By Sherri

Jane Brown with her husband, Bill Cooper

Last week, I lost an incredible friend, Jane Brown. I knew her for 12 years, but my husband, Wayne, knew her even longer when he worked with her at Qwest Communications (now Comcast).

I am so devastated Jane is no longer with us on this planet. This world was definitely a much better place with her in it! She was a spectacular person unlike anyone I have ever known! She was smart, beautiful, funny, caring, giving and feisty! Jane was an amazing friend I could call and know I would not be met with judgment, but love, compassion, understanding … and possibly a swift kick in the pants if I was letting someone’s words get me down!

Jane earned a J.D. from Pepperdine University School of Law and an LLM from Washington University in St. Louis School of Law. She started her career working for various law firms and then as a corporate tax attorney for Fidelity Union Life insurance Company. Jane spent eight years as a government staff attorney with the Office of  Legislative Legal Services. Her most recent position was with Qwest as Senior Sourcing Manager. In 2007, she had to leave her career due to Multiple Sclerosis.

Like most of us, Jane was devastated after losing her career. Wayne called her and told her about the Invisible Disabilities Association. Jane was reluctant to check it out, but she had told Wayne she would, so she did. She joined the Invisible Disabilities online Community and started talking with other members about her loss and new life. Soon after, she joined the welcome committee where new members were met with open arms and listening ear.

One day, Jane asked me if we could open a Chat Room. I told her that it would require someone to moderate it, so if she was willing to do that, we would set one up! She was unsure of what it would all entail, but jumped in anyway! Jane quickly became a novice and reached out to thousands of people with her big heart and quippy wit! She was a HOOT! Everyone LOVED Jane and flocked to her chats!

In 2009, Jane decided she would venture out even more and see if she could meet someone she could have coffee with. So, she established a local Meetup group called, Disabled people want to meetup too! for people living with disabilities. She provided leadership for weekly coffees and other special events such as annual picnics, adaptive kayaking and Holiday dinners. The group quickly grew and has over 500 members today! Jane continued to be active in her group for many, many years, until she was no longer able to attend.

In 2011, Jane was awarded the Invisible Disabilities Association’s Volunteer Award for the work she did through IDA’s community, chatroom and her Meetup. Jane was humbled by the award, but she deserved it! Because of her, hundreds of people found new friendships and family! Video below. 

Thank you, Jane, for blessing me with your friendship! I will see you again. But I don’t know how I will get through this life without knowing you are just a phone call away. I miss you!

Jane received her award at 11 minutes into the video.

Filed Under: Grief and Tribulations, Living My Life Tagged With: Colorado, denver, disabled people want to meetup too, jane brown, meetup, support

My Quote Listed with Spurgeon, Chambers, Tozer and Piper

March 19, 2019 By Sherri

How interesting! I was searching for a radio spot from Joni Eareckson Tada about my book, “Not By Sight – Ministering to Believers Living with Chronic Illness and Pain.” I came upon this blog of “Great Christian Quotes” on Conviction of the Holy Spirit.

They listed my quote, “If we could CONTROL God, HE would not be God, WE would be God and WE ARE NOT God!” – Sherri L. Connell 

Wow! Look closer! My quote is surrounded by A.W. Tozer, Oswald Chambers, John Piper, Charles Spurgeon and more! Of course, I am certainly not a prolific writer they are, but it was quite a fun surprise!

Not By Sight is available through Where is God Ministries or on Amazon! Check it out!

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Filed Under: Awareness, In the Media, Making a Difference, Reaching Out to Others Tagged With: book, chambers, chronic illness and pain, church, family, friends, help, not by sight, piper, spurgeon, support, tozer

Friends and Family Don’t Always Get It – God Only Knows

March 12, 2019 By Sherri

Friends and family don’t always “get it.” In fact, they rarely do. I have several people in my life who try and really want to understand. I am so thankful for them! Nevertheless, I still need people in my life who do. Often, we have to find that understanding in a support group or counselor and not from our loved ones. 

No matter who we have or don’t have, I do find some comfort in knowing that God does know what we are going through, all our losses, all our hurdles and all our pain. This song gives me comfort.

If you need help right away, please call 911! If you want someone to talk to, call the National Suicide Prevention Hotline 1-800-273-8255.

Keep up the fight for your healing! Pursue joy amidst the battle! Seek ways to make a difference in the lives of others!

Sherri

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Thank you, everyone!

Filed Under: But I LOOK Good, Fighting for My Life, Relationships, The Truth Tagged With: compassion, faith, god only knows, king and country, suicide, support, understanding

My New ID Wallet Helping Others with Invisible Disabilities

November 5, 2017 By Sherri

For several years, I have been wanted to design some sort of ID Cards with a Lanyard and Card Holder. I wanted something that I and millions of others living with invisible disabilities could wear to doctor appointments, the grocery store or on the bus.

The card would say, “I Live With An Invisible Disability” on the front. And the cards that could be handed out would share, what is an invisible disability.”

This would give a visual to people living with debilitating conditions, in the hopes that we would be able to get better help in the stores and possibly a seat on the bus when all the seats are taken. It would give us a chance to bring awareness and education to the people we met, without having to expend the energy to explain to people what is an invisible disability.

The Invisible No More ID Wallets Were Born

Finally, I put a pencil to it and showed it to my hubby, Wayne, founder and president of the Invisible Disabilities Association (IDA). Wayne loved the idea, but he wanted to go a step further. He suggested instead of just having the badge on the end of the lanyard, to actually have a wallet for the cards.

I thought this was a perfect way to also allow people to carry their insurance card, credit card, cash and pens when they are going to a doctor’s office or grocery store! This way, when I have an appointment, I don’t have to carry my whole purse, I just put my essentials into the ID Wallet and I have my hands free to use my cane or crutches. Voila!

In September 2017, the ID Wallets were launched for the Invisible Disabilities Association’s Invisible Disabilities Week! It was a great addition to the IDA Store, along with Katie Maskey’s new IDA Lapel Pin!

Read more about both items, as well as the Invisible No More Glow-in-the-Dark Wristbands. Order from the  IDA Store. All proceeds go to help support IDA’s work around the world!

Filed Under: Awareness, In the Media, Making a Difference, Reaching Out to Others Tagged With: awareness, chronic illness and pain, education, environmental illness, i live with an invisible disability, id card, invisible disabilities, invisible disabilities association, invisible disabilities week, invisible no more, lanyard, personal story, support, wallet

Watch for My New MEME’s

June 23, 2017 By Sherri

Hi Everyone!

I have some new MEME’s that are being published by the Invisible Disabilities Association on Social Media! Watch for them on IDA’s Facebook, Instagram and Twitter!

Check them out friends! Like them and share them! Wahoo!

Sherri

Filed Under: Awareness, In the Media, Making a Difference, Reaching Out to Others Tagged With: awareness, chronic illness and pain, encouragement, invisible disabilities, make someone's day, meme, message, quotes, support

My Favorite Documentary About Elephants, Jenny and Shirley

January 12, 2017 By Sherri

Shirley and Jenny. Elephant Sanctuary. www.Elephants.com

I love The Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee! I have been supporting them for many years and this year, I am sponsoring Shirley!

I own “The Urban Elephant” documentary from 2001 and have been sharing this video with anyone who is willing to watch it. My brother wasn’t too thrilled about sitting through it when I brought it up. But after he saw it, he told me he was so glad I made him watch it and really, REALLY enjoyed it!

“On July 6, 1999, Shirley became the fourth resident of The Elephant Sanctuary, joining Tarra, Jenny, and Barbara. At The Sanctuary, Shirley experienced a very loving reunion with Jenny. Research showed the two elephants had been in the same circus 23 years earlier! This memorable event is the subject of an Emmy-winning National Geographic documentary, ‘The Urban Elephant'” writes The Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee.

Watch the 12 minute trailer! You will love this story!

Other rescues and sanctuaries I support:

Goats of Anarchy
Save the Elephants
African Wildlife Foundation
Wildlife SOS
The Wild Animal Sanctuary

Filed Under: Safari Sherri's Animal World Tagged With: animal conservation, animal rescue, animals, awareness, donate, elephant sanctuary, goats of anarchy, inspirational, jenny, PBS, save the elephants, shirley, story, support, urban elephant, video, wild animal sanctuary, wildlife SOS

New Product Design: Yes, I’m Faking It!

March 17, 2016 By Sherri



I created a new design for t-shirts, hoodies, mugs, bumper stickers and more! It was put on t-shirts, hoodies, totes, bumper stickers, mugs, buttons and more in the IDA Stuff Shop. All proceeds go to the Invisible Disabilities Association.


Have you subscribed to my blog yet? Are you following me on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, Google+ and Pinterest? What are you waiting for?

Go to the top of the right sidebar to Follow me!

♡ Sherri


#fakingit #illness #pain #injury #disability #disabled #invisibledisability #shirts #hoodies #mugs #bumperstickers #totes

Filed Under: Awareness, Making a Difference Tagged With: awareness, bumper sticker, chronic illness, chronic illness and pain, clothing, disability, hoodie, injury, invisible disabilities, mug, pain, store, support, t-shirt, tote

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.


Have you subscribed to my blog yet? Are you following me on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, Google+ and Pinterest?

What are you waiting for? Go to the top of the right sidebar to Follow me!

♡ 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

I’m Fighting for My Life! Help Me Win!

May 26, 2014 By Sherri

Believe in Me and Join Me

People really don’t have any idea what battles I fight daily.

I don’t expect them all to fully understand.

Still, know that if you would like to be supportive, believe me and believe IN me.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I am fighting for my life with courage & perseverance. Believe in me and & join me on this quest or step aside! 

Filed Under: Fighting for My Life, The Truth Tagged With: chronic illness and pain, encouragement, environmental illness, friends and family, helpful tips, hope, invisible disabilities, multiple chemical sensitivities, multiple sclerosis, relationships, support

There’s Someone Who Cares

May 13, 2014 By Sherri

There's Someone Who CaresNo matter where you are,
or how alone you feel.
There’s someone who cares,
and that someone is me!

Photo features my doggie, Snickers.

Copyright 2014 Sherri Connell.
www.SherriConnell.com
All rights reserved.

Filed Under: Thoughts for the Day Tagged With: chronic illness and pain, encouragement, environmental illness, friends and family, helpful tips, hope, invisible disabilities, multiple chemical sensitivities, multiple sclerosis, relationships, support

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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

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The Adventures of Pumpkin and Cookie

The Adventures of Pumpkin and Cookie
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Pumpkin Plots Mission Impossible

Pumpkin and Cookie Litter-box Trained

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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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