The Unchargeables

March 25, 2020March 3, 2020

6 spot on memes about Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia is a condition that causes pain. There are many different symptoms that can range from pain, fatigue, migraines to insomnia, inflammation and sensory overload.

When you live with Fibromyalgia or know someone who lives with it, you may recognise what they are talking about in the memes.

Taking a shower can cause pain. When the pressure of the water is too high, or the warmth. The water hitting against the skin can cause real pain. This is one of the reasons I don’t like taking showers. Next to it causing pain, it’s super exhausting too.

The little monster in the meme is called Gia. She is the Chargimal that represents Fibromyalgia. Together with her friends she has adventures, but with caution cause she is low on energy due to her Fibro. You can learn more about her and the other Chargimals over here

I pick my clothes based on which body parts hurts the least that day. That’s also how I pick which chair to sit in today.

Living with Fibromyalgia is not for the weak. There is no known cure, and keeping symptoms and flare to a minimum is hard to do.

March 21, 2020March 13, 2020

How can I explain my fatigue in a way you will understand?

It’ so hard to explain when you’ve not experienced it yourself, the debilitating fatigue that I often feel.

It’s not the same as being tired after working a long day. Even though that’s probably the only thing you can compare it to. And I’m happy for you, that you can not relate. But it is important for me that you try to understand what I’m going through.

Party time!

When I wake up, I am exhausted. As if I haven’t slept at all. You can compare it to going out partying all night, not sleeping and going to work right after. You feel like you can crash any moment due to lack of sleep, and maybe a hangover.

Well I feel like that, but without the partying and without the alcohol. I do sometimes have the hangover feeling though, as a bonus.

All day long I feel like I need a nap, the exhaustion is making me nauseous. I used to think it’s normal to feel nauseous when you’re tired. Recently I found out that’s not the case.

Got the flu

Imagine how you feel when you are sick. You have the flu or some other type of virus. You can’t think straight, forget everything, and just want to lay down. Not necessarily to sleep, just lay down cause you are so tired. Because your body needs it to fight of this virus.

You have no apetite, or a simply too tired to eat. Now you even have less energy, cause you have not eaten in days.

That’s me all day every day. My body is fighting itself, cause I have several autoimmune diseases. Naps are a part of daily life for me. There are many days that I’m too tired to eat, or too nauseaus to eat. Or too tired to prepare a meal. Bags of chips are my best friend. Not the healthiest but it helps.

Put yourself in my shoes

I know it’s a long shot, but hopefully these comparisons help you understand what it is to live in my body.

Please be patient with your chronically ill friends and family. They feel like they have the flu while hungover from an all nighter, all the time.

March 19, 2020March 16, 2020

Living with extreme fatigue? These 11 memes are made for you

Extreme fatigue is no joke. It’s much more than just being tired. It’s the bone tired, I can’t take it anymore kinf of fatigue. These 11 memes may help you explain it to other people.

This meme explaines exaclty how I feel every single day. The little monster is called Snore, he is one of the Chargimals. Snore represents extreme fatigue. Find out more about the Chargimals here

Share this with your friends and family, because it is definitely not for the weak

some days I’ve only got 1% energy to get through the day

A normal healthy amount of sleep is 8 hours they say. That’s not nearly enough for me. I really need 9 hours and sometimes even that is not enough.

But then when I take a nap and wake up 12 hours later I wonder, is it a good thing or a bad thing?

To be honest, I don’t get out of bed every single day…

Sometimes no amount of sleep is sufficient.

March 17, 2020March 16, 2020

Tips from fellow Chargies during these stressful times

Another article about coronavirus? Yes, but this is a good one.

We have asked our community members: ” Coronavirus is on top of everyone’s mind. What tips would you give your fellow Chargies during these stressful times? “

Here’s what they said.

Don’t panic!

1. Don’t panic. It is more likely we will catch the Flu, Strep or Stomach virus before CONVID-19.

2. Take things such as Vitamin C or Eldenberry (if you can) gummies to help immune systems.

3. Drink plenty of water to keep hydrated.

4. Wash your hands, we all do it anyways. Use hand sanitizer and if you feel like you need to, wear a mask.

5. If you have any symptoms contact your doctor or go to the ER ASAP.

6. Protect your mental health. Stay off the new media sites, turn your TV off if you need to, stay off social media if you need to as well. Protecting your mental health is just as important as your physical health. Limit your time/exposure if it puts your mental health in jeopardy. In the end, this will literally blow over in the next few months and then it will be old news.

Panicking and stressing out will cause us to have immune flares and make us worse. Live your life and if you really need to, stay home if you’re able to. However, this Chargie has decided to live her life, take precautions and keep calm and carry on. According to John Hopkins more people are recovering, the virus is coming under control and things will turn around pretty soon.

Laura replied. To which she got comments like:

Most of that is correct however we’re not supposed to be taking anything to stimulate the auto immune system such as Elderberry and echinacea. 😀 plus you are supposed to call the county health department before going to a doctor or ER if you have coronavirus symptoms so that you do not contaminate their areas.
Rachel

It’s much more easily spread and has a higher mortality rate than the flu. Most of all, it requires a higher rate of medical intervention because of the related pneumonia. As a population, we have built up an immunity to strains of the flu. We also have vaccines and Tamiflu. We don’t have a population with immune systems built up against SARS much less COVID 19. I know people who are able to isolate, even with young children. I live with 2 college students who are now home & a husband in the military. I take immunosuppressant drugs… so I will be shocked if my family doesn’t get it.
I’m not panicked, but am realistic.
Bonita

Don’t touch anything

“Something small but thought I’d mention it” said Jenny. “If you go out to a place that has a kiosk for appointment check in, ordering a meal, etc… bring a stylus with you and use that instead of touching the screen. Bring and use your own pen when signing receipts, checking into doctor appointments, etc… in public”

Alyx adds: It’s been told by the CDC that up to 80% of Americans will catch one of two strains. Don’t freak out trying not to catch it, because it’s all but inevitable for us. Wash your hands, shower frequently, and stay indoors if you can.

Carry hand sanitizer everywhere you go and if you have to go to the store, use the wipes to clean the shopping carts. Says Barbara

Wash your hands alot, dont touch your face, and stay home if you are sick. For us chargies I would add, stay home unless you need to go out
Lora-lee

Take care of your mental health

Keep calm, and listen to the Moody Blues. That is what I will be doing as often as possible.
Irene

Maria comments: “Remember that panicking (and excessive worry on top of whatever illnesses/chronic conditions you have) weakens the immune system. Watch a comedy show, curl up with a book you’ve been meaning to read, watch a movie, do gentle stretches, cuddle your furbabies.”

Melody advises: ” Go for a hike ,enjoy nature, listen to the birds, look for signs of spring, and new beginnings. Breath in the fresh air and be in this moment” This is obviously only possible if you live in an area that is not in complete lockdown.

“Focus on what you can control. Helping others feels good so maybe buy generic (or other cost saving measures) and make a donation to the food bank. Try to limit exposure to the news. “
Tammie

Do you have any tips to share? Would love to read them in the comments.

Stay safe everyone

March 15, 2020March 14, 2020

Stuck at home? 12 tips to not go stir crazy

Many coutries around the world are ordering their citizens to stay home due to the coronavirus outbreak. Many people have never been homebound and have no idea what they are supposed to do now.

This is a Facebook post my friend Ami wrote, and I wanted to share it here for all of you to see.

What to do when you’re stuck at home

Stuck at home? Already going stir crazy? I can help with that.
All y’all freaking out about self isolating and being stuck at home 24/7: welcome to my world. This has been my life for the past 9 years. Maybe after the crisis is over, more of y’all will come visit me, more often? (Riiiiiight)

12 tips so you don’t go crazy at home

Anyway:

•If you have a yard, get a comfy chair and shade and Enjoy it! Being outdoors, helps to make being home feel less confining. Even the simplest things like watching anoles, squirrels, birds, bugs, clouds, etc. Seeing their freedom to move and run is joyous.

•Start a garden! Digging in the dirt helps to get frustration out, while creating something beautiful, or food to eat is satisfying as all hell.

•Get CRAFTY! Always wanted to learn how to create something? Now you can YouTube ALL THE VIDEOS on how to do something you have always wanted to do! Order or brave the stores for things you need (make sure to disinfect yourself and items) and get crazy!

•play with your animals. This passes the time in ways that you both get joy out of!

•Time to PURGE! This is a great time to finally tackle that closet, spare room, or your whole house. Get items ready to donate or box away for a garage sale once the pandemic passes.

•Spring clean! I mean… it is about that time anyway, right? Get into those crevices you normally gloss over, because of whatever reason.

•Binge watch shows you’ve been meaning to catch up on. In this day and age, there are tons of streaming services to choose from.

•Read! This speaks for itself. There are tons of worlds out there to immerse yourself in.

•Too lonely? Time to make some calls! Interact via whatever app you want for video calls, texting, actual *gasp!* phone calls, etc. I bet your family would love to hear from you.

•Nap! Now you can catch up on some much needed sleep.

•Meal plan! Made a few big batches of food and separate to freeze for later consumption. Also, you can do this and see if any of your friends/family are in need of some help, regarding mealtimes.

•Pamper yourself! Indulge in that bubble bath with candles and whatever you want to relax! Paint your nails. Learn and experiment with different hair/makeup etc. Just have fun!

I think that is it, for now. I can’t always do a lot of these things, but I think you all will enjoy it!

Ami

Ami has been disabled for six years with DDD, herniated and bulged discs, spinal stenosis, severe spinal arthritis, and severe sciatica.

She also has PCOS, Endo, kidney disease, pleurisy, open heart surgery, COPD, PTSD, Carpal Tunnel, and manic depression. Creating this photo took a weeks worth of spoons away from her, but she wanted to showcase her passion. She was a Fire Performer, prior to becoming too disabled to do it any further.

Ami is admin of the Unchargeables support group.

March 14, 2020March 14, 2020

Fresh perspective on coronavirus from a chronically ill person

Yes, this is serious. Yes, you have to be careful. I’m not downplaying the threat the coronavirus poses, but it’s not the end of the world. If anything, everybody now understands people living with chronic illness better.

Wash your hands

When you live with chronic illnesses, in my case several autoimmune dseases, you always have to think about your health. Washing hands is a number 1 priority. Yes always, not only when there is a coronavirus on the loose. When I travel I have my hand sanitizer with me. And when I fly, I sanitize my hands after I’ve touched the little boxes you have to put your stuff in when you go through customs. Because those are hardly ever cleaned.

I try not to touch things unnecessarily, be mindful of where I put my hands, what I touch and to not rub my eyes or touch my nose or mouth.

I can’t believe I even have to mention this, but wash your hands after going to the bathroom, with water and soap. Apparently that’s a thing not everyone does.

To go or not to go?

I’m always conscious about going to events. Not even big events; I’m talking birthday parties, dinners, bbq’s, anything that involves a group of people being in one place. I weigh how well my health is at that given moment before I go. And to be honest, I don’t often go.

One of the last big events I attended many many years ago

When someone comes to visit me, kisses me on the cheek (that’s what we do in Holland and in Spain) and right afterwards tells me they are not really feeling well, I am livid. This means that I can be infected and now will be bed bound for at least two weeks. The chance of this happened is quite big since my immune system doesn’t work properly.

This goes the other way around too. Therefor when I don’t feel well, I will cancel engagements. I don’t want to infect someone with whatever I may have. And believe me I catch a lot of stuff, since my immune system is not the best.

Physical attendance is manditory

When I was in university, at some point I wasn’t able to physically attend the mandatory amount of 80% of classes. This was because I had to go to the hospital every four days for various tests. Not because I partied too much the night before and simply didn’t want to go. Nevertheless they failed me in a specific class three years in a row, due to lack of attendance. Even when my grades were up. In the end I stopped going to university because it was impossible for me to get my diploma with these rules in place.

Then I went to work jobs. Yes, I say jobs – plural. Because I couldn’t keep a single job, due to “lack of interest”. That means I called in sick too often, they thought I was close to burn out or simply not interested in the position. When that was the opposite of what was happening. It was just hard to physically get to the office every single day.

In interviews I always asked about the possibility to work from home. Every single time they assured me that was an option. Every single time it was not an option for me, for various reasons. None of which I agreed with, but they hide behind company policy.

What does all this have to do with the coronavirus?

In a matter of weeks everybody in the world suddenly knows about washing your hands, being careful to not infect someone by keeping your distance, not touching your face, cleaning surfaces in public places and not have gathering of people.

Suddenly everybody can work from home, and it’s even company policy to work from home during the coronavirus time. “Stay safe!” people say.

Where were the stay safe remarks when I needed to stay safe? When I needed to work from home? When I needed to be able to pass a class without attending 80% of the classes physically?

The whole world now knows what it’s like to live with a chronic illness, and to be home bound. Unwillingly.

The future

Going forward, I hope this moment in time stays fresh in everyone’s memory, and people will treat others with a chronic illness with more compassion, understanding and kindness. And make accommodations. We know it’s possible. You have all proven it now. The job ahead of us now is to make it last.

March 11, 2020March 3, 2020

9 memes you can relate to when you live with brain fog

Living with brain fog is super frustrating. You forget what you are saying while talking, or forget entire words. Loose your phone, your keys or other things while you just had it a minute ago.

These 9 memes will be relatable if you live with brain fog.

What was my idea again? Let me retrace my steps, it might come back to me…

And I’m telling her too, mom where did I leave my phone?

Brain fog moments can be funny too. At least they make us laugh.

Share your funny brain fog moments with us!

March 7, 2020February 27, 2020

How To Use Yoga as a Tool to Become More Motivated in Life

A thought that often crosses our minds in the morning is “I have no motivation to get through the day”. Lack of motivation; an easy thing to explain but a difficult thing to understand and fix. Every person experiences issues throughout life that can cause an impact on them, and this impact can be neglected. We carry all the negativity we acquire during the course of the day without being conscious or aware of it; and the next thing we know, we may become bound to our beds, struggling miserably to get out of it and get some work done.

Why does this happen, though?

Difficult situations are very draining on our energy. Our minds can become full with negative thoughts which can lead to poor self esteem and little self-belief. While for some this can result in one or two low and gloomy days, it can also become a severe and serious thing for others.

People with chronic illnesses can be even more prone to regular levels of low motivation. We should all be aware of different tools that can be used to become as healthy and as happy as you possibly can, even while experiencing a lack of motivation. Now that I have introduced this concept to you, it is time for me to tell you the answer to becoming more motivated; Yoga!

How yoga can help you become more motivated in life

Yoga has a great many benefits and one of the most obvious ones is instilling motivation. Given below are the few ways how yoga becomes the best practice to be motivated in life.

Yoga lowers stress and anxiety levels

Practicing yoga involves a great deal of stretching your muscles. This, in turn, reduces all the stress and tension accumulated in the muscles and relaxes them significantly. The constant breathing exercises help in energizing your body as it regulates the blood flow. This also helps rich and oxygenated blood to reach your brain.

As the brain receives rich blood and your body starts relaxing, the mind also works towards calming itself down. When this happens, you became aware of all the negative thoughts that have been causing you distress and anxiety and can, therefore, push them out of your head effectively. Once your stress levels are lowered, you feel more energized and motivated to work your way through most days.

How yoga can help lower stress and anxiety levels

Yoga increases your ability to problem solve

When your mood is low, one of the most annoying things that could happen to you is not being able to solve the slightest of the problems that come your way. Since your mind may be filled with negative thoughts, it can be difficult to think straight and therefore it may seem like the easiest thing to do is to give up on that difficult task.

The breathing exercises involved in yoga, as discussed above, help to clear out all the negative thoughts. They also assist in making your mind focus better. This means that when you come across a problem in life, you’d be able to focus on it properly. You will be able to come up with practical solutions faster, and therefore there would be no hindrance in the process of becoming a more motivated and happy self.

Yoga encourages self awareness

To keep yourself motivated, you need to know yourself properly first. You need to understand your behavioural patterns, as well as what makes you happy and what keeps you energized at work. Yoga helps in directing your focus towards your own self. It helps you understand your emotions better and makes you capable of consciously keeping them regulated. It helps you balance out all the negativity with positivity and enables you to make more practical and sensible decisions.

If what I have said above interests you, you can get started on your yoga journey by discovering which style of yoga works best for you.

About the Author:

Manmohan Singh is a passionate Yogi, Yoga Teacher and a Traveler in India. He organizes Ayurveda Courses in India and Yoga retreat in Nepal . He loves writing and reading books related to yoga, health, nature, Himalayas and Trekking Tours in India.

February 22, 2020February 20, 2020

Dating with Cerebral Palsy (My Personal Experience)

One of the biggest misconceptions about people with disabilities is that we have no desire to date or have no understanding of what a relationship consists of. I can tell you first hand that this is false. For as long as I can remember, I’ve always dreamt about the day I will finally get married. I dream of having a ceremony in the smoky mountains of Tennessee, and getting to ride off afterwards in a red 1978 Ford Truck with my future husband.

What I’ve Learned About Dating with Cerebral Palsy

Dating has been one of the most difficult parts of my life. Ever since I hit puberty in middle school, I had an interest in dating and having a boyfriend, like many young 13-year-olds would be. However, I often had trouble with this because boys wouldn’t dare to give me the time of day. This was mainly because of my Cerebral palsy, they just didn’t want to deal with the judgement and stigmas related to dating someone like me, and I can’t blame them for thinking that way.

Love Yourself First

All of this taught me that the first step of meeting and getting to know someone is being in love with yourself first, while accepting your circumstances and your situation. Once you accomplish this, then you can meet someone who will look past your disability and love you for you. Loving yourself when you have a disability may not be the easiest task for some people, but it helps you to move forward when you’re single and want to put yourself out there into the dating scene as someone with a disability.

What I’ve Learned About Dating with Cerebral Palsy — Picture of the Author: Tylia Flores

If you don’t love yourself, how can you expect other people to gravitate towards you and want to get to know you? Self-confidence is magnetic. If you don’t love yourself and accept that you are who you are and acknowledge that you were made this way, then others may find it difficult to love and accept you as well.

It all starts with you and whether you are willing to try loving yourself, including the way your medical condition shapes you, as well as how you perceive your life as a person with a disability.

I’ve also learned that not everyone you have a romantic interest in is going to return those feelings, and that’s okay. That doesn’t mean there’s anything wrong with you or the person that you are. You just have to accept their feelings and move on from it, while remembering that you’ll find to love you no matter what struggles you experience and what situation you’re in.

The importance of self love when dating with a disability

Dating May Be Hard, But It’s Worth It

All throughout my experience with dating with a disability, I’ve realized that while it isn’t an easy process, it is a worthwhile one. It is essential that no matter where you are in your journey, you take time out and learn to embrace yourself and your situation. In my case, I need to acknowledge my wheels, the adventures I get to go on because of my Cerebral palsy, and all the things that having Cerebral palsy has taught me over the years. I have learned a lot about myself during the experience of finding love with Cerebral palsy.

Although my life hasn’t been the easiest, I have learned that loving myself and my disability come first are foremost.

About the author:

Tylia Flores is a 24-year-old born with cerebral palsy. Although her condition has affected her mobility, it has never affected her will and determination to make a difference in the world. Through her many life challenges and obstacles, she discovered her passion for writing. Tylia’s goal in life is to share her stories with the world.

February 15, 2020February 14, 2020

How Watching ‘My Girl’ Taught Me Coping Skills for Life and Grief

Two days before Christmas my great-grandma passed away, and I needed something to help me cope with her passing so I decided to go on Netflix and search through the newly added movies. And there it was, a 1991 movie, My Girl which follows the story of 11 -year -old tomboy named Vada Sultness who lives with her father who is a funeral director and her grandma who has Alzheimer’s disease in the summer of 1972 in Madison Pennsylvania. Vada is also the outcast of her group of classmates and it didn’t help that her best friend was Thomas J.Sennett is a boy.

From the second I saw Vada pop up on my screen ridding her bike with Thomas, and getting into trouble while trying to find this to occupy their minds for a long summer I had fallen in love with My Girl. I couldn’t take my eyes off the screen as Thomas and Vada do many things together like go to the lake and going to the ice cream shop to share an ice cream.

It’s OK to Cry!

Although Vada seems to be having the summer of her life, she is struggling with the death of her mother, who died before she was born and asks her friends and family a ton of questions about her mother. Throughout My Girl, you see Vada and Thomas friendship blossom into a typical pre-teen romance. Thomas and Vada become inseparable but unfortunately, Thomas passed away after having a severe reaction to a bee sting while walking into the woods alone. Doctors couldn’t save him from his death, but while watching My Girl, I learned it’s okay to cry and grieve for as long as I need to.

When it comes to grief there is no time period on when we can stop grieving and stop missing your loved ones and the memories you shared with your loved one that is no longer with you.

But My Girl also teaches you although your loved one isn’t physically with you on earth anymore they are with you. They’re always with you in the memories you have with your loved one, therefore they’re never gone. As long as you carry on the lessons that you were taught by that loved one, their memory will never fade away.

It’s OK to Put Yourself First

I learned from watching My Girl that it’s okay to take breaks and cry and then come back to everyday life when grieving. Your self-care and mindset come first before anything else, and you should take care of your self when grieving before doing the task you would normally do.

It's okay to put yourself first when you're grieving

Your health is important while you’re grieving, and you shouldn’t put others before you when grieving, because you have to make sure that your mental state is okay before worrying about anything else. Watching My Girl taught me it’s okay to show emotion and not to be afraid to cry if you need to as well.