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MONTHLY MUSINGS
Have you been told, “But you don’t look sick”? You’re not alone. In our November newsletter, we mentioned how many of you use “The Spoon Theory” to describe the realities of your condition to others. From MS to fibromyalgia to depression, “The Spoon Theory” has become such a popular analogy that it has its own forum tag.
The idea is that patients living with a chronic illness have only a small number of spoons to use each day. As a result, they must carefully choose how they expend their energy, as each task or effort costs one spoon. If they use up all their spoons too early, that’s all they can manage for the day. The drawer of spoons is empty.
If you’ve found “The Spoon Theory” helpful in getting friends and family to understand, you may be interested to hear there’s a new (and quite humorous) companion analogy called “The Fork Theory,” developed by MS member OldSalt. Unlike spoons, forks are not something to cherish, but the very things that cause you pain and discomfort. Every day, the forks poke you, get in the way and pose challenges. You can try to put them in a drawer, but they’ll always return when you least expect.
Can you relate to this notion of “battling forks” throughout your day? If so, perhaps your friends and family can too.
- Kate, Emma, Liz, Jeanette & Sharry
JOIN THE CONVERSATION
What’s happening in the forum? Check out some of these active threads below. Then jump in with your own questions and answers.
The idea is that patients living with a chronic illness have only a small number of spoons to use each day. As a result, they must carefully choose how they expend their energy, as each task or effort costs one spoon. If they use up all their spoons too early, that’s all they can manage for the day. The drawer of spoons is empty.
If you’ve found “The Spoon Theory” helpful in getting friends and family to understand, you may be interested to hear there’s a new (and quite humorous) companion analogy called “The Fork Theory,” developed by MS member OldSalt. Unlike spoons, forks are not something to cherish, but the very things that cause you pain and discomfort. Every day, the forks poke you, get in the way and pose challenges. You can try to put them in a drawer, but they’ll always return when you least expect.
Can you relate to this notion of “battling forks” throughout your day? If so, perhaps your friends and family can too.
- Kate, Emma, Liz, Jeanette & Sharry
JOIN THE CONVERSATION
What’s happening in the forum? Check out some of these active threads below. Then jump in with your own questions and answers.
- Coping with worsening memory (Epilepsy Room)
- What types of exercise work for you? (Parkinson’s Room)
- Celebrating 30th transplant anniversary (Transplants Room)
- I love when my caregiver…(fill in blank) (ALS Room)
- Stopping methotrexate, starting Enbrel (Inflammatory Room)
- When others use the handicapped toilet (MS Room)