I suspect having that niche (young folks with chronic illnesses) helped for selling the book to publishers, although I haven't asked Laurie about that. Plus it's where she is/was at the time, so I can understand her focus. But I totally agree with you, and when I reviewed it on my blog and on Amazon back when it came out, I emphasized that too! :-) Her blog was the first one I found after I got sick in 2007, and I remain impressed at how well she writes and how well she's able to make people feel the commonalities rather than the differences between their health issues.
Er, I don't know if I should make clear, but I wasn't paid for the reviews I did on her book, either on my blog or on Amazon, or here for that matter! I'm just a huge fan of Laurie's writing. :-)
Yeah I kind of wish the book didn't have that twenties and thirties subtitle. I guess she was trying to reach a specific audience, but I would hate for someone to not read it because they didn't fit the age group.
Laurie also blogs at achronicdose.blogspot.com
Even though I was way over 30 when her book was published, I found it very inspiring too. Lots of wisdom in there.
excellent statements and thoughts!
i keep thinking i can do some activities i so loved. i still have hope, yet the reality is i am not doing them now due to some of this disease and its conditions. disk disease isn't helping either with the [want] to get back to extreme sports.
no one in my aa groups even related or acted like they heard me when i would mention ms so gave up that and now go to ms groups, where they completely and humorously understand. i take that back, two buddies there listen but only breifly and seem never to ever bring it up.
i'm still in the gray area of leaving some part of my life behind and moving towards a new and a bit different life. another life process with no road map, but trial and error.
i mean like NOBODY seems to hear you when you mention ms, unless they have it or have some empathy about it.
thank goodness for this site and the ms group i now go to and a few friends.
thanks for the topic
just IMHO
Thank you for posting this!
Sounds like an excellent book! I could relate to a lot of what you quoted. Hmmm.
I was eligible for a Mobility Parking tag after my second known exacerbation in 2008 (that's what they're called in Australia). I still have issues with it, although I'm entitled to it and need it. People often look at me weirdly when they see me get out of the car and walk. I often DON'T park in a designated car spot, because I always think "There's someone who needs this spot more than me".
The issue of perceived weakness is interesting, and I too relate to that. My husband and I have just been talking about it. I was remarking on what a lonely condition MS is, as no-one wants to mention it (and I'm talking about family and people who know I have MS). He said that I push myself too hard to my detriment to prove that I "can do it" and that I'm not a liability at work, with my family or friends. And that people don't want to bring MS up because it's not "obvious". He's right. And that's about my fear of being perceived of being useless, or incompetent.
I think the "weak animal" syndrome applies here too. Recently I spent a day at a fun park, on my son's birthday, in a wheelchair. I had just broken my foot on a toboggan ride. I was adamant I did not want to spoil the children's day, and told my husband if he would push me in the chair, we'd get my foot seen to later in the afternoon (which we did). What an eye opener that was! I just didn't exist while in that chair. Everybody who came near us judiciously avoided meeting my eye. They so obviously avoided looking at me, that it was obvious why! What a lesson.
Sounds like a very interesting book. Thanks for bringing it up. Sounds like something I need to read!