Volunteering

I recently participated in a 4 day training program to become a Lay Leader for the Row Your Own Boat Program. This link is to a PowerPoint Presentation on the program which is aimed at empowering the chronically ill to take charge of their own disease management and life skills. www.chpna.ca/.../downloads/.../RYOB_PEI_Feb_2008_Freimark_Final.ppt

I look forward to next Spring when I'll be able to co-lead a group as they explore ways to cope with a chronic illness and feel more self-empowered. I carefully considered this program and feel that I can commit to 2 1/2 hrs a week for 6 weeks. Volunteering is a way to give back to a program that was so enlightening.

Is there a way that you can volunteer? It is a wonderful way to help others and distract yourself from some of your more worrisome symptoms.

2010 Invisible Illness Week

 Linda Cohen will once again be hosting  Invisible Illness Week in recognition of those who have chronic illnesses that aren't immediately visible. This year she is encouraging us to reach out to just one person with a sticky note posted in a public place.

New Year's Resolutions and Setting Realistic Health Goals

At the start of a new year it seems appropriate to make changes to improve or stabilize our health. Making those goals realistic and accountable is the difference between success and failure. The following method of setting health goals posted on familydoctor.org increases your odds of making lasting changes.

"Once you’ve decided to take an active role in managing your illness, you and your doctor can work together to set goals that will lead to better health. These goals will be part of an overall treatment plan.

Pick a problem. Take an honest look at the unhealthy aspects of your lifestyle. Start with a particular behavior that you’d like to change in order to have better control of your illness. For example, you might decide that you don’t eat enough vegetables, get enough exercise or take your medicines as your doctor tells you to.

Get specific. Once you’ve identified a problem, state a specific goal for dealing with it. The more specific your goal is, the more likely you are to succeed. For example, instead of saying, “I’m going to exercise more,” decide what kind of exercise you’ll do. Be specific about what days of the week you’ll exercise and what times you’ll exercise on those days. Your new goal might be: “During my lunch hour on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, I’m going to walk 1 mile in the park.

Plan ahead. After you’ve stated your goal, think of things that could go wrong and plan how you’ll deal with them. For example, if it rains and you can’t go to the park, where will you go to walk? If you plan how to handle problems in advance, they won’t prevent you from meeting your goals.

Check your confidence level. Ask yourself, “How confident am I that I’ll be able to meet this goal?” If the answer is “Not very confident,” you may need to start with a more realistic goal.

Follow up. As you’re working toward your goal, check in regularly with your doctor to let him or her know how you’re doing. If you’re having trouble following the plan, talk to your doctor to figure out why. Your setbacks can be learning experiences that help you make a new plan for success.
One of the most important things to remember is that you can change your behavior. Even though your illness makes you feel helpless at times, if you work with your doctor to set goals and you take responsibility for following through with them, you can make changes that will lead to better health."
 http://familydoctor.org/online/famdocen/home/healthy/prevention/785.html#ArticleParsysMiddleColumn0003