“I have found that the people whom society has deemed to be the weakest are inevitably the strongest.” SocietyStrengthDisabilityStrength QuotesStrength Through AdversitySociety QuotesChronic IllnessDisability QuotesChronic Illness QuotesChronic Illness Stigma Author:Michael Bihovsky
“Over the years I have developed and employed a variety of such coping mechanisms, mostly focusing around a philosophy I call, “Live Because.” “Live Because” is in contrast to what I’ve termed “Live Despite,” which is the idea that people can live rich, full lives in spite of their physical or emotional barriers. “Live Because” takes this a step further by suggesting that in many cases, patients can live a more fulfilling life with their illness than they could ever have done without it. Ehlers-Danlos syndrome has transformed me from a frequently petty and self-absorbed person into the person I am today (still somewhat self-absorbed, but a lot less petty, and with a clearly defined purpose of alleviating whatever suffering I can). I am better because of my illness, and not just in spite of it. But this process was, and still is, a journey. Chronic illness is nearly always accompanied by depression, and the need to constantly remain one step ahead of my illness has left me fearful and exhausted. I could never go through this alone... A part of me will always be angry; such is the process of mourning the pieces of oneself that are lost to chronic disease. I have learned to accept the duality of being bitter and at peace; ignorant and enlightened... while still laying a foundation of hope for the possibility that I can still realize my personal dreams and ambitions, even if not in the exact ways I had expected.” InspirationalInspirational QuotesDepressionDisabilityDualityChronic IllnessDisability QuotesCoping MechanismChronic Illness QuotesCoping Strategies Author:Michael Bihovsky
“Remember that healing others may very well be the clearest path to healing ourselves.” InspirationalPhilosophyInspirational QuotesHealingKindnessPhilosophy Of LifeChronic IllnessChronic Illness Quotes Author:Michael Bihovsky
“To those in need of healing, Who can never quite be healed: May curses be your blessing, And may weakness be your shield. To feel despite the numbness, And to hear the silent sound. To see there still is meaning When no answers can be found. I hope you’ll keep on searching, While you also search no more. For know that sometimes healing Is far different and far purer and far greater than a cure.” InspirationalPoetryPrayerAnswersHealingPoemSicknessChronic Illness Author:Michael Bihovsky
“We have a genuine and devastating epidemic of opiate abuse in this country, and it is of critical importance that this problem be addressed. But we must do so in a way that doesn’t cut off an effective (and often the only) treatment for the chronically ill, many of whom are able to function in this world at all only because of the small respite that responsible opiate use provides.” AddictionStigmaChronic IllnessChronic PainEpidemicOpiatesChronic Pain StigmaPain ReliefOpioid UseOpioid AbusePain ManagementMedical NeglectChronically Ill Author:Michael Bihovsky
“Every EDS patient knows that one of the hardest parts of our day is the moment we open our eyes and waken into the reality of our bodies, stirred from dreams of ourselves as we used to be, and the futures we imagined we’d have.” DisabilityChronic IllnessChronic PainDisability QuotesInvisible IllnessChronic Illness QuotesEhlers Danlos SyndromeChronic Pain Quotes Author:Michael Bihovsky
“EDS is a scary and challenging diagnosis, but the consequences of not knowing are far greater than that of a correct diagnosis. EDS symptoms can range from the very mild to the extremely severe. One thing is certain, though: If I had received a diagnosis back when my symptoms were mild, I would be living a very different life now. Every single day, in my struggle to actualize the person I still can be, I cannot help but mourn the person I could have been.” DisabilityChronic IllnessDisability QuotesPatientsInvisible IllnessChronic Illness QuotesEhlers Danlos Syndrome Author:Michael Bihovsky
“Every EDS patient knows that one of the hardest parts of our day is the moment we open our eyes and waken into the reality of our bodies.” DisabilityChronic IllnessChronic PainDisability QuotesInvisible IllnessChronic Illness QuotesEhlers Danlos Syndrome Author:Michael Bihovsky