Chronic Illness: The Silver Lining

Now I know a lot of you may be wondering if I'm off my trolly from the title of this post but just keep reading and all will become clear...

It is estimated that 1 in 2 people in the US now has some form of chronic illness (chronic illness normally refers to a health problem that lasts 3 months or longer, such as asthma, genetic disorders, MS, ME/CFS, Fibromyalgia and cancer) and range from the barely noticeable to the devastating, but all is not lost!

I myself have a genetic disorder EDS-HM as well as a complicated history with Metal Poisoning linked to ME/CFS and know first hand what a challenge it can make even the simplest of tasks. I'm lucky in that I know my health could be a lot worse, but it does still cause a lot of pain and complications, especially when it comes to work and money.

Now here's the silver lining... The way I see it, yes we chronic gals and guys have been given a lot to deal with but we also have been given a remarkable opportunity! We have been forced through necessity to view life from a different perspective and seek more unconventional ways to make money and live~ and hence haven't become victims of the dreaded rat race.

It is difficult starting out on your own, it takes courage, focus and can be draining, but I believe and hope to prove myself that 70-80 hour work weeks (I physically wouldn't manage that anyway let alone want to!) aren't necessary if you're self-employed. We chronics (and indeed anyone) can potentially make a high wage without being a slave~ especially with the Business evolution that's taking place and the rise of the 'New Rich'~ and help change the World along the way.

You see most people get so caught up in the stress of making a living that they forget to live and that money is meant to serve us, it's a tool. We were not put on this Earth to work until we die. We have been given an opportunity to make things happen and like so many people I know, it was only after they became ill that they discovered their passion and talents in life.

Still don't believe those with chronic illnesses can mean big business and change the World? OK I have one name for you...Stephen Hawking. One of the greatest minds of all time was told at just 21 that he only had a year to live and yet he went on to change the world, even changing the way we see our world! Even when he became a paraplegic and lost the ability to talk, he continued to make a difference.

Most people when they are told (and I include myself in this) they have something incurable or at least life altering, believe pretty much what society and Dr's tell them...that they don't fit in, that they are useless etc. and should give up. But this is far from true, the opposite in fact. Coping with chronic illness gives you a rare strength and can lead to amazing things if you believe in yourself.

So come on then...How will you change the World?

Kaz xx