It may seem counterintuitive, but according to some of our members, there are actually some good things that can come out of being diagnosed with a serious illness. In the spirit of Thanksgiving – a time when many people are reminded of all the things they have to be grateful for – we thought we would share some of our members’ uplifting sentiments.
From our Fibromyalgia Community, some of the unexpected benefits include:
- Getting to spend more time with children or grandchildren
- Taking advantage of “good days” with a little extra gusto
- Appreciating what you have…and knowing it could be worse
- Refocusing on new hobbies like gardening and meditation
From our Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Community, some of the unexpected benefits include:
- Letting go of the pressurized feeling that you have to do it all
- A deeper understanding of how many people face major challenges
- Discovering new artistic talents, such as painting or needle work
- Slowing down the pace of life and prioritizing sleep – without guilt
From our Epilepsy Community, some of the unexpected benefits include:
- Learning to never judge a person by only what you see
- Becoming more patient and not taking anything for granted
- Filtering out fair-weather friends and uncaring partners
- Having extra motivation to live the healthiest lifestyle possible
What about you? Have you noticed some positive takeaways from your illness? Share them in our comments section in honor of Thanksgiving. And, from everyone at PatientsLikeMe, we wish you and your loved ones a wonderful holiday!