Health- challenged but with a happy heart
Something I have heard many times (and I know others with Gastroparesis or Chronic Intestinal Pseudo-Obstruction) is 'you are to brave/strong/amazing to go through this with such a good attitude'.
Really, though... what choice do we have?
We have two choices... we can curl up and scream at the world, cry, rant and rave and be angry that we have to go through this, but the only thing that would accomplish is living a miserable life alone because no one would want to stick around a person that acts like that.
This might not be a wonderful life, but it is the only life we have and we would much rather smile than cry, laugh than weep and fight than give up.
I will tell you who the really amazing people are... they are the people that are not affected by these conditions, who learn about it by meeting someone that has it... and who help raise awareness by learning more about it and passing it on.
I have reconnected with old friends who, upon learning what I have been diagnosed with, ask more about it and tell others... one friend found a listing on CraigsList from a sufferer and passed the information on to me so I could connect with them and tell them where to find a huge support group online that is very active (www.facebook.com/gpact) as an example.
How absolutely amazing is that??? She saw an online ad from a complete stranger and did something about it by contacting me so I could contact them.
Just today I was contacted by a very sweet woman and friend who I connected with through a game on Facebook... on the other side of the world. We were complete strangers yet through time and little posts here and there we have followed each others lives through postings even after I stopped playing the game. I have watched as she goes on trips with her family or gardens and she has watched as I post about awareness and what I go through. She has been following this blog and my postings there... and today she told me that she is going to give a talk about Gastroparesis and Digestive Tract Paralysis to help raise awareness. I cried my eyes out.
Want to know the true definition of love... the definition of amazing.... it is those who step forward and help complete strangers.
I am so very humbled... the world is full of wonderful people and I have had the privilege to 'meet' people who remind me of this.
For those with Gastroparesis and other Digestive Tract Paralysis conditions who are reading this, I want you to know that talking about it does make a difference, sharing what you go through does reach wonderful people with huge hearts.
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