Invisible Illness

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The Invisible Kingdom

Author : Meghan O'Rourke
Publisher : Penguin
ISBN 13 : 0399573305
Total Pages : 337 pages
Book Rating : 4.3/5 (995 download)

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Book Synopsis The Invisible Kingdom by : Meghan O'Rourke

Download or read book The Invisible Kingdom written by Meghan O'Rourke and published by Penguin. This book was released on 2023-02-28 with total page 337 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: A NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER FINALIST FOR THE 2022 NATIONAL BOOK AWARD FOR NONFICTION Named one of the BEST BOOKS OF 2022 by NPR, The New Yorker, Time, and Vogue “Remarkable.” –Andrew Solomon, The New York Times Book Review "At once a rigorous work of scholarship and a radical act of empathy.”—Esquire "A ray of light into those isolated cocoons of darkness that, at one time or another, may afflict us all.” —The Wall Street Journal "Essential."—The Boston Globe A landmark exploration of one of the most consequential and mysterious issues of our time: the rise of chronic illness and autoimmune diseases A silent epidemic of chronic illnesses afflicts tens of millions of Americans: these are diseases that are poorly understood, frequently marginalized, and can go undiagnosed and unrecognized altogether. Renowned writer Meghan O’Rourke delivers a revelatory investigation into this elusive category of “invisible” illness that encompasses autoimmune diseases, post-treatment Lyme disease syndrome, and now long COVID, synthesizing the personal and the universal to help all of us through this new frontier. Drawing on her own medical experiences as well as a decade of interviews with doctors, patients, researchers, and public health experts, O’Rourke traces the history of Western definitions of illness, and reveals how inherited ideas of cause, diagnosis, and treatment have led us to ignore a host of hard-to-understand medical conditions, ones that resist easy description or simple cures. And as America faces this health crisis of extraordinary proportions, the populations most likely to be neglected by our institutions include women, the working class, and people of color. Blending lyricism and erudition, candor and empathy, O’Rourke brings together her deep and disparate talents and roles as critic, journalist, poet, teacher, and patient, synthesizing the personal and universal into one monumental project arguing for a seismic shift in our approach to disease. The Invisible Kingdom offers hope for the sick, solace and insight for their loved ones, and a radical new understanding of our bodies and our health.

Invisible Illness

Author : Megan A. Arroll
Publisher : SPCK
ISBN 13 : 184709306X
Total Pages : 176 pages
Book Rating : 4.8/5 (47 download)

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Book Synopsis Invisible Illness by : Megan A. Arroll

Download or read book Invisible Illness written by Megan A. Arroll and published by SPCK. This book was released on 2014-09-18 with total page 176 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Few books on invisible illness are written by psychologists. Based on work by the Chronic Illness Research Team (CIRT) at the University of East London, this expert, accessible book encourages people actively to manage their illness using the techniques shown. • Based on 20 years of research • Helps those often 'written off' by the medical profession • Pioneering text on Mal de Debarquement Syndrome (MdDS) • Authors specialist in chronic illness

Surviving and Thriving with an Invisible Chronic Illness

Author : Ilana Jacqueline
Publisher : New Harbinger Publications
ISBN 13 : 1626256012
Total Pages : 178 pages
Book Rating : 4.6/5 (262 download)

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Book Synopsis Surviving and Thriving with an Invisible Chronic Illness by : Ilana Jacqueline

Download or read book Surviving and Thriving with an Invisible Chronic Illness written by Ilana Jacqueline and published by New Harbinger Publications. This book was released on 2018-03-01 with total page 178 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: “An important antidote to the dogmatic ‘kale and vitamins’ tone of most ‘self-help’ literature.” —Alexa Tsoulis-Reay, senior writer, New York magazine Popular blogger Ilana Jacqueline offers smart and savvy advice, humor, and practical tips for living with an invisible chronic illness. Do you live with a chronic, debilitating, yet invisible condition? You may feel isolated, out of step, judged, lonely, or misunderstood—and that’s on top of dealing with the symptoms of your actual illness. Take heart. You are not alone, although sometimes it can feel that way. Written by a blogger who suffers from an invisible chronic illness, Surviving and Thriving with an Invisible Chronic Illness offers peer-to-peer support to help you stay sane, be your own advocate, and get back to living your life. This compelling guide is written for anyone suffering with an illness no one can see—such as postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS), chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), fibromyalgia, multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS), Lyme disease, lupus, dysautonomia, or even multiple sclerosis (MP). This book will tell you everything you need to know about living with a complicated, invisible condition—from how to balance sex, dating, and relationships to handling work and school with unavoidable absences. You’ll also learn to navigate judg-y or skeptical relatives and strangers and—most importantly—manage your medical care. Suffering from a chronic illness doesn’t mean you can’t live an active, engaged life. This book will show you how.

Invisible Illnesses

Author : Gloria Gilbere N.D., D.A. Hom., Ph.D.
Publisher : SCB Distributors
ISBN 13 : 1893910725
Total Pages : 200 pages
Book Rating : 4.8/5 (939 download)

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Book Synopsis Invisible Illnesses by : Gloria Gilbere N.D., D.A. Hom., Ph.D.

Download or read book Invisible Illnesses written by Gloria Gilbere N.D., D.A. Hom., Ph.D. and published by SCB Distributors. This book was released on 2010-04-20 with total page 200 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Millions of people are discovering they are victims of conditions such as chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia, intestinal permeability (a.k.a. leaky gut syndrome), etc.; although these are all relatively new terms to most of us, they are real and debilitating for those who suffer from them. Invisible Illnesses, 2nd Edition covers all these conditions, as well as multiple chemical sensitivities, chemically induced immune system disorders and prescription drug withdrawal syndrome among others. It introduces natural therapies and lifestyle modifications for overcoming these disorders. They emphasize diet, supplementation, non-toxic therapies, environmental modifications, and therapies that encourage the healing process-reserving drugs and surgery as a last resort. With this book, and the guidance of a naturopath or integrative medical doctor, readers can learn what is needed to achieve optimal health, naturally.

Ask Me About My Uterus

Author : Abby Norman
Publisher : Bold Type Books
ISBN 13 : 1568585829
Total Pages : 344 pages
Book Rating : 4.5/5 (685 download)

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Book Synopsis Ask Me About My Uterus by : Abby Norman

Download or read book Ask Me About My Uterus written by Abby Norman and published by Bold Type Books. This book was released on 2018-03-06 with total page 344 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: For any woman who has experienced illness, chronic pain, or endometriosis comes an inspiring memoir advocating for recognition of women's health issues In the fall of 2010, Abby Norman's strong dancer's body dropped forty pounds and gray hairs began to sprout from her temples. She was repeatedly hospitalized in excruciating pain, but the doctors insisted it was a urinary tract infection and sent her home with antibiotics. Unable to get out of bed, much less attend class, Norman dropped out of college and embarked on what would become a years-long journey to discover what was wrong with her. It wasn't until she took matters into her own hands -- securing a job in a hospital and educating herself over lunchtime reading in the medical library -- that she found an accurate diagnosis of endometriosis. In Ask Me About My Uterus, Norman describes what it was like to have her pain dismissed, to be told it was all in her head, only to be taken seriously when she was accompanied by a boyfriend who confirmed that her sexual performance was, indeed, compromised. Putting her own trials into a broader historical, sociocultural, and political context, Norman shows that women's bodies have long been the battleground of a never-ending war for power, control, medical knowledge, and truth. It's time to refute the belief that being a woman is a preexisting condition.

You Don't Look Sick!

Author : Joy H. Selak
Publisher : Demos Medical Publishing
ISBN 13 : 1936303426
Total Pages : 199 pages
Book Rating : 4.9/5 (363 download)

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Book Synopsis You Don't Look Sick! by : Joy H. Selak

Download or read book You Don't Look Sick! written by Joy H. Selak and published by Demos Medical Publishing. This book was released on 2012-12-17 with total page 199 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Chronicles one person's true life story of illness and her physicians compassionate commentary as they journey through the four stages of chronic illness; Getting Sick, Being Sick, Grief and Acceptance and Living Well. Designed for people at all stages of the chronic illness journey, this book is also illuminating for caregivers and loved ones.

Show Me Where it Hurts

Author : Kylie Maslen
Publisher : Text Publishing
ISBN 13 : 1925923584
Total Pages : 299 pages
Book Rating : 4.9/5 (259 download)

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Book Synopsis Show Me Where it Hurts by : Kylie Maslen

Download or read book Show Me Where it Hurts written by Kylie Maslen and published by Text Publishing. This book was released on 2020-09-01 with total page 299 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Personal essay meets pop-culture critique in this unflinchingly honest collection about chronic illness and misogyny in medicine, by Adelaide writer Kylie Maslen

Invisible Illness

Author : Heather Hausenblas
Publisher :
ISBN 13 : 9781737717911
Total Pages : pages
Book Rating : 4.7/5 (179 download)

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Book Synopsis Invisible Illness by : Heather Hausenblas

Download or read book Invisible Illness written by Heather Hausenblas and published by . This book was released on 2021-09-28 with total page pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Heather Hausenblas's son was diagnosed with Crohn's disease at the age of 16. Overwhelmed and all-consumed with grief at the thought of her son suffering with a chronic "incurable" disease this began her journey into understanding this disease, healing her son, and ultimately discovering what true health means. Integrating personal experiences and struggles with hundreds of research studies, Hausenblas reveals that we have the power to regain and maintain a vibrate, healthy, and happy life.She offers hard-earned wisdom, science-backed solutions, and simple tips and recipes for health and happiness. This is her case study of an autoimmune disease, from unhealthy to healthy, and its reach into the often overlooked behavioral and environmental sides of wellness.

Invisible

Author : Michele Lent Hirsch
Publisher : Beacon Press
ISBN 13 : 0807023965
Total Pages : 240 pages
Book Rating : 4.8/5 (7 download)

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Book Synopsis Invisible by : Michele Lent Hirsch

Download or read book Invisible written by Michele Lent Hirsch and published by Beacon Press. This book was released on 2018-02-27 with total page 240 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Already appearing on must-read lists for Bitch, PopSugar, BookRiot, and Autostraddle, this is an exploration of women navigating serious health issues at an age where they're expected to be healthy, dating, having careers and children. Miriam’s doctor didn’t believe she had breast cancer. She did. Sophie navigates being the only black scientist in her lab while studying the very disease, HIV, that she hides from her coworkers. For Victoria, coming out as a transgender woman was less difficult than coming out as bipolar. Author Michele Lent Hirsch knew she couldn’t be the only woman who’s faced serious health issues at a young age, as well as the resulting effects on her career, her relationships, and her sense of self. What she found while researching Invisible was a surprisingly large and overlooked population with important stories to tell. Though young women with serious illness tend to be seen as outliers, young female patients are in fact the primary demographic for many illnesses. They are also one of the most ignored groups in our medical system—a system where young women, especially women of color and trans women, are invisible. And because of expectations about gender and age, young women with health issues must often deal with bias in their careers and personal lives. Not only do they feel pressured to seem perfect and youthful, they also find themselves amid labyrinthine obstacles in a culture that has one narrow idea of womanhood. Lent Hirsch weaves her own harrowing experiences together with stories from other women, perspectives from sociologists on structural inequality, and insights from neuroscientists on misogyny in health research. She shows how health issues and disabilities amplify what women in general already confront: warped beauty standards, workplace sexism, worries about romantic partners, and mistrust of their own bodies. By shining a light on this hidden demographic, Lent Hirsch explores the challenges that all women face.

Invisible Illness

Author : Jake Taylor
Publisher : Father's House
ISBN 13 : 9781736281307
Total Pages : 276 pages
Book Rating : 4.2/5 (813 download)

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Book Synopsis Invisible Illness by : Jake Taylor

Download or read book Invisible Illness written by Jake Taylor and published by Father's House. This book was released on 2021-02-15 with total page 276 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: "If You Don't See It, That Doesn't Mean It Doesn't Exist..." From An Eleven Year Old Suicidal Boy To Thriving- Discover The Real-Life Story That Has Inspired and Helped Regular People Overcome Anxiety and Depression. I was 11 years old when I first experienced depression. For some, it may sound strange and even crazy, but not for me... I just wanted to end my life... There wasn't any social media back then. And I wasn't abused by my parents. "But, Jake, you were 11 years old, what was it for you to worry about?" - some people to this day still ask me. My parents were amazing and caring. My friends were always kind and supportive. What more an eleven-year-old could ask for, right? "But they didn't know what I was going through. And I knew they would not understand if I told them..." And that's the reason why I wrote this book- to help you realize and teach you how to get out of the same mess I was in for over a decade trying to figure out what it takes to THRIVE even when battling mental illness. Take a look at what's inside: - What to do in your darkest moments? (when you feel empty, alone, when '...is it a time to end it all?' thoughts kick in) - Do you like what you see in the mirror? I didn't, and here is what I discovered (it has nothing to do with weight loss or exercising) - How to attain the perfect soul, spirit, and body connection, so you have complete control over how you feel, act and think - How to control your thoughts and even program your subconscious mind for positive thinking - How to use the power of recovery and recharge your body for better mental health - How the "Law of Input" has changed my life for the better - How to Correctly use Hiking and Other Physical Activities to recover your brain and your health - Much much more... Now, listen to me closely. I truly believe that this book can change your life for the better! Scroll up, click on "BUY NOW," and Start Reading!

Finding Joy with an Invisible Chronic Illness

Author : Christopher Martin
Publisher : Martin Family Bookstore
ISBN 13 : 0990826961
Total Pages : 200 pages
Book Rating : 4.9/5 (98 download)

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Book Synopsis Finding Joy with an Invisible Chronic Illness by : Christopher Martin

Download or read book Finding Joy with an Invisible Chronic Illness written by Christopher Martin and published by Martin Family Bookstore. This book was released on 2021-11-14 with total page 200 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: "Christopher does a brilliant job of explaining the tools for managing the social, spiritual, mental, and physical aspects of chronic illness. I loved that the book contains straightforward tips for patients, their caregivers, and loved ones. Every chapter includes useful advice." —Edith Wairimu, 5-Star Readers' Favorite Book Review Live your best life — even when your physical health crumbles. Finding Joy presents a comprehensive, practical guide for living your best life with chronic illness. This psychology self-help book integrates personal and professional insights to give you tools for handling various aspects of living with a chronic illness. There is also a chapter specifically for the loved ones and caregivers of the chronically ill. While this book is designed for anyone with a chronic illness, the spiritual content early in the book suggests the value of sticking to your faith and offers several Bible references. Ultimately, Finding Joy is an A-to-Z guide that critiques the literature and empowers the reader with: Positive psychology techniques. These range from self-compassion, positive reappraisal, positive self-talk, and pacing to positive thoughts, emotions, and behaviors such as optimism, humor, and volunteer work. Stress-reduction methods. These include tools such as mindfulness, breathing exercises, simplification, and (therapeutic) journaling. Proven therapies. Examples include cognitive behavior therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), and acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT). Effective communication strategies and their impact on relationships and even the ability to access quality healthcare. Numerous tips to both access and optimize your your experience with high quality healthcare. Important considerations for loved ones of the chronically ill, so they too can know how to best support their loved one and take care of themselves in the process. Lastly, consider using the workbook by Oak Tree Reading on Amazon to enhance your reading experience. This could be useful for solo readers or support groups. “This book offers great value for anyone with chronic illness as it contains clear, practical, and actionable insights and steps that can be naturally implemented into daily life. An engaging, easy, and helpful read. Highly recommended.” —Alla Bogdanova, MSc, MIM, co-founder and past president of the International Empty Nose Syndrome Association "Having known Chris for decades, I am beyond fortunate to have been privy to such a work that serves others by providing a timely message, a powerhouse of practical strategies, and invaluable guidance.” —Mark Montgomery, PhD, chief diversity officer, SUNY Polytechnic Institute, and founder and chair of Joseph’s Experience, Inc., an organization that assists children impacted by cancer and/or leukemia “I have had various invisible chronic illnesses for nearly forty years, but I was still able to find suggestions that will help me. So many of the things I have gone through are reflected in this book. I highly recommend this comprehensive book.” —Sue on Amazon.ca

The Invisible Plague

Author : Edwin Fuller Torrey
Publisher : Rutgers University Press
ISBN 13 : 9780813530031
Total Pages : 442 pages
Book Rating : 4.5/5 (3 download)

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Book Synopsis The Invisible Plague by : Edwin Fuller Torrey

Download or read book The Invisible Plague written by Edwin Fuller Torrey and published by Rutgers University Press. This book was released on 2001 with total page 442 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Examines the records on insanity in England, Ireland, Canada, and the United States over a 250-year period, concluding, through quantitative and qualitative evidence, that insanity is an unrecognized, modern-day plague.

Invisible Illness, Visible God

Author : Merry Marinello
Publisher :
ISBN 13 : 9780985260323
Total Pages : 258 pages
Book Rating : 4.2/5 (63 download)

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Book Synopsis Invisible Illness, Visible God by : Merry Marinello

Download or read book Invisible Illness, Visible God written by Merry Marinello and published by . This book was released on 2013-05-01 with total page 258 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Nearly one in two Americans have an invisible chronic illness, and nineteen million are disabled by one. They have no cane or wheel chair to let others know that something is wrong. Caregivers struggle right along with them and wonder, "Is there hope? Does God care about what we're going through? What does God promise us?" Thirteen years ago the author's husband Dave was disabled by an invisible illness. He had mysterious symptoms such as chemical sensitivities, joint pain, bouts of confusion, and dizziness, but had to leave work without a diagnosis. "God, how will we live and raise our children?" Dave was finally diagnosed with Lyme disease, but that wasn't what changed their lives most. Are you ready to find something more than just a lesson to learn from painful experiences? Are you ready to meet God in a deeper, more meaningful way? In the package of suffering, God wraps a most surprising, precious gift: Himself. If you find yourself struggling to see God, may these meditations carry you to his arms of love and his throne of grace.

Stronger Than You Think: Invisible Illness Warrior

Author : Ansart Design
Publisher :
ISBN 13 :
Total Pages : 120 pages
Book Rating : 4.6/5 (218 download)

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Book Synopsis Stronger Than You Think: Invisible Illness Warrior by : Ansart Design

Download or read book Stronger Than You Think: Invisible Illness Warrior written by Ansart Design and published by . This book was released on 2020-03-05 with total page 120 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: For anyone struggling to manage their long term health conditions or anyone suffering from a chronic illness which can cause a plethora of different symptoms which can feel overwhelming to manage. Or anyone suffering from health issues who want to try and figure out what's causing you to feel unwell. Don't worry if you don't have any major health issues, if you just want to be more mindful of your health and wellbeing and just want to practice good self-care then this diary is still great for you. Makes a beautifully thoughtful gift for someone who suffers from pain, fatigue, low mood, or any other set of chronic illness symptoms, or buy it as a gift to yourself if you are looking for a book to help write down your thoughts, track your symptoms and use as a tool in your self-care. This book includes: FOOD DIARY (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner and Snacks) SLEEP TRACKER SYMPTOM TRACKERS ANXIETY, PAIN, FATIGUE AND MOOD TRACKERS DAILY ACTIVITIES MEDICATIONS & SUPPLEMENTS TAKEN HYDRATION (Water consumption) AND MORE... This symptom and triggers tracking journal is perfect to help you get a handle on things and bring your illness to the best possible conclusion and live your healthiest life possible. Your greatest wealth is health and this diary could help you keep your health organized. TRACK IT AND TREASURE IT We at Ansart Design hope this journal is a great help and brings to clarity and quality to your life and well-being. Specifications: Cover Finish: Matte Dimensions: 6" x 9" (15.24 x 22.86 cm) Pages: 120

But You Look Good

Author : Wayne Connell
Publisher : Invisible Disabilities Association
ISBN 13 : 9780692258453
Total Pages : 84 pages
Book Rating : 4.2/5 (584 download)

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Book Synopsis But You Look Good by : Wayne Connell

Download or read book But You Look Good written by Wayne Connell and published by Invisible Disabilities Association. This book was released on 2014-09-14 with total page 84 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Do your loved ones have a hard time understanding your chronic illness or pain, because to them you LOOK fine? But You LOOK Good is a book that gives those living with chronic illness and pain a voice about how they feel, what they need and how others can be an encouragement to them. It is a convenient, informative way to educate loved ones about what people living with ongoing illness and pain struggle with, fight for and need from their friends and family. It is easy to read, gives practical ideas on how loved ones can be supportive and is not too long for readers to lose interest! But You LOOK Good gets to the heart of why our friends and family have difficulty with understanding ongoing illness and pain. It serves as a tool to help explain to loved ones how extreme fatigue, pain, dizziness, cognitive impairments and other symptoms can be limiting, even though the person may not look sick or in pain. Moreover, it gives them simple, pragmatic ways to truly be an encouragement, what to say, what not to say and how to help. Often loved ones are enlightened as to why their well-meaning advice is not always well-received. It is cherished by both those living with illness or injury, as well as those who love them!

When Force Meets Fate

Author : Jamison Hill
Publisher : Inkshares
ISBN 13 : 1950301168
Total Pages : 302 pages
Book Rating : 4.9/5 (53 download)

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Book Synopsis When Force Meets Fate by : Jamison Hill

Download or read book When Force Meets Fate written by Jamison Hill and published by Inkshares. This book was released on 2021-01-26 with total page 302 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: "The gripping prose in this memoir describes a young man, whose life deteriorates from a healthy fitness trainer to the sudden depths of being sick and bedridden with a mysterious illness for years. Jamison’s dedication to life, however fragile, and advocacy, however impossible, have brought out this incredible story of survival." —Stephanie Land, New York Times bestselling author of Maid: Hard Work, Low Pay, and a Mother's Will to Survive At age twenty-two, Jamison Hill was a fitness instructor and competitive bodybuilder who could lift more than four hundred pounds. Five years later, after surviving a tragic car accident that killed the other driver, a rare disease left Jamison bedridden and too weak to hold a water glass. He spent every day lying motionless in bed, his body paralyzed by pain and weakness, his mind hijacked by flashes of crunched metal, broken windshields, and exploding gas tanks. After months of being too sick to express himself, Jamison’s health began to improve along with his ability to tell his story. When Force Meets Fate is an unflinching exploration of the human condition, notably how our limitations and strengths shape our identities and how unexpected events can inevitably alter those perceptions. It’s a story of perseverance—of sheer will and unrelenting fight—but also of overcoming life’s toughest challenges through the power of vulnerability, and how freeing it can be to surrender to the unpredictability of circumstances out of our control.

Young, Sick, and Invisible

Author : Ania Bula
Publisher : Pitchstone Publishing (US&CA)
ISBN 13 : 1634310748
Total Pages : 235 pages
Book Rating : 4.6/5 (343 download)

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Book Synopsis Young, Sick, and Invisible by : Ania Bula

Download or read book Young, Sick, and Invisible written by Ania Bula and published by Pitchstone Publishing (US&CA). This book was released on 2016-04-15 with total page 235 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Drawing on her own deeply personal experiences, Ania Bula explores what it is like to live with unseen chronic disabilities. She paints a vibrant picture of what it is like to be diagnosed with two life-long debilitating conditions as a young adult and relates the challenges and frustrations of dealing with predatory alternative medicine practitioners, arrogant doctors, indifferent bureaucracies, and well-meaning friends and family who always seem to say either the wrong thing—or nothing at all. As she discovered, suddenly everyone's aunt is a health expert and everyone's fad diet a cure. Making matters worse, her physical torment quickly translated into mental stresses. Relationships became strained, while others, including all-important romantic ones, never had a chance to start at all. Wading through a constant stream of ignorance and lies, in a desperate attempt to find peace, to stop the pain, and to return to a more normal life, she submits to being stuffed with powders and magic potions, poked and prodded, and even &“faith healed.&” With honesty and humor, she shares her journey of pain, suffering, and, ultimately, coping, both to help others gain some understanding about what it is like to live with chronic illness—and to help those who might similarly suffer feel less alone, so that they too might start living again.