Joanna stops by to discuss everything going on with her MS diagnosis. What started with waking up blind in one eye came as a complete shock to her - as it would to any of us. After numerous trips to the opticians, Dr's and neurologists and a couple of misdiagnosis’ in the end, it was found that she had MS. She didn’t dare tell her optometrist about the tingling in her legs when asked though, as she didn’t know what help it would be. Invisible symptoms and stuff people say. Would you prefer it if people just asked you questions? Did you use an online network when you were diagnosed? Joanna tells us of her experiences of using one called ‘MS Buddy’. There are also shift.ms and My MS Team which are fabulous for connecting with people also. Are there other ‘buddy networks’ for different chronic illness charities? If so comment below so we can share them for others. We also discuss setting up your own Facebook Group and how most Facebook groups are quite negative :( do you think we need to change the narrative of these or should they stay areas to vent online? Joanna talks about the MS therapy centre that she goes to and wants to encourage young people to go to also. But if you’ve never been to an MS therapy centre, are you likely to go? There is a danger for people with chronic illness to put things down to one condition or another but sometimes a weird symptom may not actually be your chronic illness at all and sometimes you should really go to your doctor. Joanna tells us how she could have been diagnosed so much sooner than 10 years if she got her initial symptoms checked out. How did your work organisation handle your illness? Did you tell them? Do you know what your rights are? We also discuss Reiki after Joanna’s newly qualified Reiki practitioner qualification. Have you heard of Reiki before? I’ll be honest, I hadn’t! We talk about the worst part of having an invisible illness. Joanna says for her the worst part about it is that it’s invisible in the first place! Also, people don’t understand how your condition fluctuates day to day. Do you find that? Joanna’s inspiring book recommendation is: #ad Rebecca Campbell: Light is the new black click to get it from Amazon. Like alternative, holistic therapies? Try reading Reiki For Life: The complete guide to reiki practice for levels 1, 2 & 3 Buy purchasing through the links on this page a small amount of money will go towards running of the disabled to enabled podcast and helping more people like you with chronic illness. Check out Joanna’s links below and make sure to check out the Wigan MS therapy centre. Connect: Twitter: @gimmehopejoannaInstagram: @gimmehopejoanna Sick of negative Facebook groups?Join the ENabled tribe:Search Facebook: ENabled Warriors Or Insta: @Disabledtoenabled Reduce stress now go to www.ENabledwarriors.org for our free Facebook messenger 5-day stress course. Click to open in messenger and then click get started to begin. ____________________________________________________Have you ever felt out of your depth in the kitchen? Do you keep cooking the same thing?Liven up your dinner tonight with Gousto and have meals like this... Get 60% off your first box and 30% off your first month (UK only) by clicking here: https://mmini.me/gousto
