Tag: Blogs

Monday Magic – Inspiring Blogs for You!

On By Claire Saul (PainPalsBlog)In Blogging, Blogs, chronic illness12 Comments

Hello and Happy Monday!  I hope that you have all enjoyed a relaxing weekend and are ready to face the week ahead.

This past week has offered us a smorgasbord on the world stage from the battle of words between the White House and North Korea to the retirement of possibly the greatest athlete to date, Usain Bolt.  As America’s top military officials arrive in South Korea and the leaders of China and Japan speak out publicly, let us all hope that this becomes no more than a war of words, not only for the the people of Guam, but for the world at large.

Over the last week our household has been glued to the IAAF World Athletics Championships. There have been some amazing highs and some breathtaking lows.  Athletics on the international stage is experiencing its own war at the moment: doping scandals, athletes fighting to prove that they are “clean” and able to compete,  medals being stripped and bans imposed.  The public made their feelings very clear with the booing of US athlete Justin Gatlin – an runner who has served 2 drug related suspensions and has become the representative bogeyman of all those accused of doping.

But we can also view many aspects of the championships as beacons of light in our allegory for world peace.  The final track races of sporting legends Usain Bolt and Mo Farah didn’t end as fairytales do, but instead showed these remarkable men to be human. They both won medals – just not the colour that everyone hoped for.  If Farah’s races had been the other way around and he had won his silver first and the gold medal last would this really have altered his achievements – or just the way his final race was reported in the media.  I don’t believe that anyone wanted to see Bolt fall in pain to the track rather than finishing his final race, but he showed his strength of character by returning to take a final bow for his international fans as the games closed.  Out with the old guard….but in with the new.  So many talented young people have sprung onto the world stage this week showing a spirit and enthusiasm that fires up even a chronic illness old crone like me!  There have been inspiring stories of overcoming injury and surgery, tears of disappointment and tears of joy.  For me a really memorable moment was when the Syrian high jumper realised that he had won a bronze medal, the first ever World Championship medal for his country.  The disbelief and ecstasy on his face told such a story of this man who lives and trains in war torn Damascus.  What an inspiration to us all!

89ff2e69-4236-4b54-86d8-99abce24ae80
Bronze High jump World Champion Majd Eddin Ghazal Picture from IAAF.org

You must have wondered where that was all leading, but it can only be to one place – one set of inspirational people to another!  So grab a drink, sit down and allow yourself some “me time” finding and exploring some inspiring posts from some more inspirational bloggers!

http://blog.michellerosado.com/2017/07/5-benefits-of-meditation/

https://yadadarcyyada.com/2017/06/02/nobody-puts-bloggers-in-a-corner/

love9

http://blog.mangohealth.com/post/159941981912/dont-suffer-in-silence-why-talking-about-pain-is

https://wheelescapades.com/2016/10/31/wimpole-estate-down-on-the-farm/

http://www.writersam.co.uk/post/163802388755/the-power-and-purpose-of-blogging-and-why-you

http://www.navigatingthestorms.com/coping-skills/you-respond-plans-change-unexpectedly/

https://intrestinalfortitude.wordpress.com/2017/08/13/letter-to-my-surgeon/

https://laurachamberlain.co.uk/2017/08/07/echo-prescription-app-review-uk-an-app-to-order-nhs-prescriptions-to-your-door/

http://www.diseasecantstopme.com/5-second-rule/

https://cozyclothesblog.com/2017/06/14/what-if/#more-1312

Please remember to like, comment and even share if you enjoy these posts,

Claire x

Monday Magic

 

 

Monday Magic – Inspiring Blogs for You

On By Claire Saul (PainPalsBlog)In Blogging, Blogs, chronic illness10 Comments

Monday Magic

Here we are a week into August – and it turns out that what my grandma used to say is true – time really does move faster the older you get!  Where has the year gone? In fact where have all the years gone?

 

 

 

 

I have just taken up the Chair of the alumni committee for my old school – whilst I’ve been on the committee for a few years the shoes I’m filling feel enormous as they were previously worn by my old chemistry teacher – one of my first official roles will be at the 30 year reunion for my own year group in September.  A couple of us are currently tracking down classmates – stalking people on Facebook, Linked In etc according to my kids – and it has unleashed so many memories.

Can it really be 30 years since we left school?  Some of this group know that I am now disabled, but it is going to be a really big deal attending this event in my wheelchair and answering the questions!  I think when I give a little speech at the beginning standing up, I might say that the wheels are to accommodate my high heels!

C and D
Who are those youngsters? Aged about 18 – Duncan in his Rick Astley days!!  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SONY DSC
The current 18 year old!

 

 

The funny thing is that despite all the physical changes in my body, the family I now have, the career I loved and lost, the exhaustion of life with chronic illness, inside I can still feel that 18 year old.  My own 18 year old just looks at me, shakes his head and tells me I am old – ha, ha, ha, none of us believe it will ever happen do we?

 

 

 

 

 

 

Playing 18
Mum and friends playing at 18 year olds!

So what better way to get over the feeling of being past it, than to find some inspiring blog posts to inject some zest today!  Kick off your shoes, grab a cuppa and settle down for some fantastic reads – I hope you enjoy this week’s gems as much as I have!

https://movementdisordersblog.wordpress.com/2017/07/31/skimming-through/

https://chronicyogiblog.wordpress.com/2017/07/31/what-if-it-stays-this-bad-chronic-illness-and-managing-the-what-ifs-spoonie-yoga-day-8/

https://brainlessblogger.net/2017/07/28/managing-work-with-chronic-pain/

https://wheelescapades.wordpress.com/2017/04/05/naidex-the-nec-birmingham/

http://jessicagimeno.com/how-chester-benningtons-music-helped-me-survive-depression-abuse-chronic-pain/

https://kellyontherun.com/2017/07/11/perception-icebergs/

http://www.goldengraine.com/2017/07/26/disabled-full-time-job/

http://www.chronicallypositivemom.com/the-last-lecture-inspiration-for-everyone/

http://www.themerrymomma.com/2017/08/3-ways-building-closer-family/

https://thoughtsinamoment.com/2017/08/03/biofeedback-therapy-with-mindful-nutrition-wellness/

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From Chronically Positive Mom blog

Remember to comment, like, share and make a blogger happy!

Claire x

 

 

Blog Tour & Review for fab new book from Laura Trentham – “Leave the Night On”

On By Claire Saul (PainPalsBlog)In Blogging, Blogs, Books! Reviews & chat...4 Comments

Leave_the_Night_On_BlogBanner_v2I was given an ARC of this book by the publisher in exchange for a fair and honest opinion.  All opinions are my own. The post does contain affiliate links on behalf of the author and publisher.

What would you do if the mechanic who is about to start work restoring your fiancé’s car pulls out a lacy thong from beneath the front seat of said car?  What if said tiny scrap of underwear didn’t belong to you, but you knew exactly who the owner was?  Not forgetting that you were about to send out your wedding invitations…..

This is precisely the situation that Sutton Mize finds herself in at the outset of the new romantic novel from Laura Trentham.  The garage is on the opposite side of the river to her own home and is a family business run by the Abbott brothers, all whom Sutton remembers from her childhood.  But today Sutton needs to keep her head held high having just realised that fiancé, lawyer Andrew Tarwater is having an affair rather too close to home.  So the obvious thing to do on confronting the guilty parties, if you are Sutton Mize, is to say that you have been having an affair yourself with…with…..the man who has just offered you support and comfort.  This man is Wyatt Abbott, mechanic.

I don’t want to give away too many spoilers but…..put into the mixing pot the rich girl, daughter of local Judge; the grease monkey attractive, muscled and sensitive; the self-absorbed, double crossing lawyer and fiancé; the “best” friend; and a sprinkling of family histories with a run-away mother, a superstition about the family line of Abbott twins and some very extreme weather conditions – you have the makings of a perfect chick lit romance novel!

I love a good old romance as much as the next person, but I always worry that there will be no character development and that the lead figures (particularly the women) will end up annoying me.  Not meaning to sound too pompous here, but there are some of those English literature lessons that I can’t shake off!  But I am pleased to say that Sutton proves herself to be more than just the pretty faced daughter of the local states man!  She is a savvy business woman with a hidden talent that her estranged sister and Wyatt help to nurture and her personality goes from strength to strength.  Wyatt also develops through the course of the book and I loved the relationship with his slightly eccentric twin aunts, which ran alongside his with his own twin and brothers.

If you are looking for a book to stick in your suitcase for a great summer read, this could be the one!  There seem to be enough a loose ends for the story to continue……Ms Trentham, do you have another up your sleeve?

For me this was a light hearted, enjoyable 4 star read!Leave the night on

Summer Fun Giveaway

Author Laura Trentham is running a Giveaway for a beach bag prize pack with Cottonbloom books! Win signed copies of the Cottonbloom series with bookmarks, bath bombs, scented soaps, and a beach ready bag at a Rafflecopter giveaway

 and at http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/746772681/?

Watch out for a Question and Answer post with Laura Trentham during the tour!

Author Bio:

An award-winning author, Laura Trentham was born and raised in a small town in Tennessee. Although, she loved English and reading in high school, she was convinced an English degree equated to starvation. She chose the next most logical major—Chemical Engineering—and worked in a hard hat and steel toed boots for several years.Laura Trentahm II

She writes sexy, small town contemporaries and smoking hot Regency historicals. The first two books of her Falcon Football series were named Top Picks by RT Book Reviews magazine. Then He Kissed Me, a Cottonbloom novel, was named as one of Amazon’s best romances of 2016. When not lost in a cozy Southern town or Regency England, she’s shuttling kids to soccer, helping with homework, and avoiding the Mt. Everest-sized pile of laundry that is almost as big as the to-be-read pile of books on her nightstand.

 

 

Social Links:

Facebook

Author Blog

Twitter– @LauraTrentham

Author Website

 

Buy Links:

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

Books-a-Million

IndieBound

Powells

 

 Brilliant blog posts on HonestMum.com

Monday Magic – Inspiring Blogs for You!

On By Claire Saul (PainPalsBlog)In Blogging, Blogs, chronic illness, Ehlers Danlos Syndrome13 Comments

Another week, another Monday – so that means one thing here at PainPals!  Thank you so much for the feedback for this feature – I love to hear if you are enjoying it, but please do send other comments and suggestions for anything you would like to see!

Monday Magic

There have been two major events in our house over the last week.  The first was a long awaited appointment with a geneticist for the beautiful girl(BG).  I can’t remember if I have mentioned before that we were struggling to find a consultant of any specialism who would accept the kids – just for a consultation.  Unfortunately University College Hospital London Hypermobility/EDS unit no longer take referrals straight from a GP but instead it needs to be from another hospital – this has changed since my own diagnosis.  My GP tried 2 rheumatologists – one recommended by UCLH – and both turned the requests down as the A level student (soon to be known as the politics student – we hope!!) and the BG were then under 18.  So..we tried a local paediatrician and by the time the referral was churned out through the system, said A level student had turned 18!  Then the children’s department decided that they really weren’t the right people to see the BG.  Finally a fantastic lady in the hospital bookings found a genetics consultant from a London hospital who runs a satellite clinic monthly in our local hospital – and even better she specialises in children! Hurray.

Meanwhile the BG has become convinced that she is just making a fuss and doesn’t really need to have a confirmation of symptoms – her biggest concern was that using the Beighton scale she doesn’t have a high hypermobility rating.  Hmmm…..mother here keeps explaining, as her shoulder clunks out of joint for the umpteenth time and she can hardly walk due to hip and knee pain, that there are so many other elements to consider here, particularly a very strong generational family history.  The consultant was a lovely lady who listened to me, my history, the family history, the issues my boys have had and then to the BG herself.  No she isn’t the most hypermobile person she has ever seen, but can she can already see that the BG has hips that are out of alignment and the dislocations are causing the same with her shoulders, so this immediately puts her back at risk of scoliosis and future problems.  Ringing bells in my ears!!!  More of this in another post…..

The second major event was our old dog Sam having a massive haircut with our fantastic groomer.  Now I don’t wish to play down the wonderful care given to my girl, but Sam is about 15 (rescue dog so not entirely sure) and like his human mum, has a very dodgy lower back,  hips and rear legs.  He has YuMove pills daily and struggles to walk now, so getting into the doggy bath and being strapped in the harness before the Jacuzzi begins is no mean feat for an old boy!  He came home a couple of hours later smelling wonderful, looking fab as always but absolutely shattered – doggie spoonie here.

Sammy
Spoonie Sammy

Back to all of you and I have found yet more great inspiring blog posts by writers who I haven’t featured before.  Whilst the majority have some sort of chronic illness background, the posts aren’t necessarily about health!  Did you know that National Cheesecake Day approaches? Find out about it at This Auto Immune Life and about the design and sewing of beautiful clothes from a fellow zebra at Sew Pretty in Pink – I don’t even own a sewing machine!! I may be a bit late to the party, but have found the wonderful Youtube channel from the SleepySantosha website – Spoonie yoga…great!  If you only have time to check out one piece of writing the poem by Bethany Kays is inspiring and heartbreaking in her quest to survive abuse. In fact I struggled to pick just 10 posts this week, so I am featuring 15 with a couple from some of my pals at the Chronic Illness Bloggers who have been here before.

Grab a cuppa, sit back and enjoy some great posts – and hopefully make some new online friends!  The first post is a shout out award for all us spoonie bloggers!

http://www.balancedespitethechaos.com/blog/an-award

https://jamisonwrites.com/2017/07/12/this-is-why-i-hate-summer/

https://sewprettyinpink.wordpress.com/

http://www.thisautoimmunelife.com/2017/07/23/national-cheesecake-day/

https://whenwomeninspire.com/2017/07/22/mental-health-tips-for-women/

https://bethanykays.com/2017/07/24/poetry-45/

https://beingcharis.com/2017/07/20/qa-with-charis-about-her-journey-with-ankylosing-spondylitis/

https://sleepysantosha.com/how-to-start-yoga/   plus Youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0ROkm_8Bjk0qOQ13XYOebg/feed

https://carlyscrazychroniclife.wordpress.com/2017/07/11/alternative-therapies-or-not/

http://voiceathlete.co.uk/dystonia/

http://momssmallvictories.com/self-care-for-moms-with-chronic-pain/

https://www.my-ra-perspective.com/single-post/2017/04/24/Working-and-Disability-Advice-on-working-while-disabled-and-knowing-your-limits

https://edsjour.blogspot.co.uk/2017/07/10-tips-for-coping-while-in-waiting-room.html

http://www.bloomingmindfulness.co.uk/?p=440

http://www.mesheacrysup.com/blog-living-a-fibrolife/re-visitedfibrosecretc-part-5-i-was-afraid-to-have-a-good-day

Funfetti-Cheesecake
Picture from “this autoimmune life” blog

Please make someone’s day with a follow, like and comment!

Claire x

I have shared this post with Honest Mum blog


Brilliant blog posts on HonestMum.com

Monday Magic – Inspiring blogs for You!

On By Claire Saul (PainPalsBlog)In Blogging, Blogs, chronic illness12 Comments

Good morning, it is a beautiful day here in South London and the beginning of the summer holidays.  The A level student – will have to change his name now – has been dog and house sitting for the last week, and the lovely girl is currently in her PJs painting…..she may be great at art, but she is so messy!!  There are paints, pencils and pencil shavings everywhere – the beginning of my lounge turning into an art studio for 8 weeks.

The rejected bull terrier!
At work….

She is currently working a matching picture of her grandparents’ other bull terrier (she didn’t like the first one that she started – pictured!!), has been asked to paint some canvases for the library in her old primary school (I think Harry Potter will figure!) and has a viking picture on the go for an instagram pal.  Oh, not forgetting the self portrait for her course work and the scrap book entitled “Blood, Flesh & Bones”.  She is taking some hideous pictures of family members hands, feet, elbows…..my dad told her she can’t afford his fee to strip off!!

Lucy self portrait
The start of a huge self portrait

As for me, well it has been a tricky week as you will have seen in my post about my benefits review, and I hate to complain about the lovely weather but it does send my circulation/POTS problems crazy.  I did manage a night out in London with Duncan though!  He told me we were going to a jazz concert in the Crypt of St Martins in the Field, Trafalgar Square – but when I saw some news feed that morning I had a sneaky feeling that I was actually being taken to the Formula One Live event in Trafalgar Square!  I wasn’t, but it did mean that the whole area was extremely busy and this was my first time in the wheelchair in a very crowded place which was quite intimidating.  The concert, with the wonderful Zena James, was fab though – a mixture of traditional and modern music jazzed up.  You should hear Zena’s version of Rag & Bone Man’s “Human”!!

Monday Magic

This week I have some posts on blogs that are all new to me and I have really enjoyed finding them.  I hope that you all enjoy exploring some new reads too…..so sit back with your cuppa and take some R&R with a new blog post!

https://needlintobenormal.com/2017/07/06/you-cant-go-back/

https://asecondlifeweb.blog/2017/04/11/idiocy/

https://headachehelper.wordpress.com/2017/07/16/the-what-not-to-do-if-you-have-chronic-pain-series-1-beat-yourself-up/

https://thelessonsoflyme.wordpress.com/2017/07/14/lizards-and-bunnies-and-cats-oh-my/

https://kathleenburkinshaw.wordpress.com/2017/05/03/why-did-i-choose-the-last-cherry-blossom-for-my-title/

http://www.bbhwithms.com/multiple-sclerosis-information-overload/

http://www.multipleexperiences.org/2017/07/15/what-i-would-have-done-differently-with-my-ms-diagnosis/

https://fromroopalismind.wordpress.com/2017/06/08/it-is-easier/

http://www.spinepainwarrior.co.uk/post/162956718101/coping-buying-equipment

http://www.lifeunplannedblog.com/how-to-be-less-of-a-hot-mess-and-rock-your-to-do-list/

Please like and post comments if you enjoy these posts – and for any C.I. bloggers who haven’t already, please check out The Chronic Illness Bloggers community, we are a very supportive bunch!

Claire x

 

 

 

 

Monday Magic – Inspiring Blogs for You

On By Claire Saul (PainPalsBlog)In Blogging, Blogs, chronic illness4 Comments

It has been a sun drenched week with temperatures reaching 35 degrees in London – too hot for us POTSIEs!!  I have been absent from the blog and social twitter as the heat has given me some pretty grotty days, but thank goodness for midodrine – this has kept the faints under control.  Up to now I have had to get my midodrine prescribed monthly by my cardiologist and then dispensed by the hospital pharmacy, a hassle for everyone, but this month my GP has been allowed to prescribe. Hurray!!Monday Magic

Something that the weather has played havoc with has been my icing!!  I planned to make a cake for our friends’ Silver wedding anniversary and it was all going well until Wednesday night when I came to ice with fondant.  Who has ever tried to ice a 24 ounce, 12 inch heart shaped cake in 34 degrees humid heat??  Three of us were doing it – I can’t roll it out any more due to dodgy wrists/hands/shoulders! – and if we tried to lift the wretched stuff once, we did it at least five times and each attempt the sheet of icing split.  Eventually the cake went back in the fridge, the fondant into its tub and me in front of the TV with a glass (large) of wine.  Panic not, yours truly was up bright and very early the next morning and icing the cake at 7 am before a rheumatology appointment at 9 am.  Very pleased with the finished product and I even made it to the party on Saturday for a couple of hours (in the wheelchair with a dislocated shoulder in a sling – colour co ordinated with my dress naturally) where the A level student got his sister tipsy on cocktails. Enough said!!

SONY DSC
SONY DSC

I’m rather later in the day getting some inspiring blog published, so I suggest that it could be time to sit down with a large glass of vino or a cold beer or even a Pimms, and enjoy some great posts & a vlog.  Think I need to take a close look at the sunburn one and I am intrigued by the Spoonie pin up……

https://confessionsofafibromama.wordpress.com/2017/06/26/a-tricky-parenting-secret/

http://hope-health-healing.net/blog/2017/6/19/how-can-i-prevent-sunburn-naturally/

http://chronicallywhole.com/dear-doctors-may-always-use-powers-good/

https://chronicallystrong.com/7-lessons-orange-is-the-new-black-teaches-society-about-mental-illness/

Image Source: http://bit.ly/2sf6PV7
Image Source: http://bit.ly/2sf6PV7 – Orange is the New Black – from Chronically Strong

https://thezebramom.wordpress.com/2017/06/19/autonomic-testing-what-you-need-to-know/

https://theinvisiblef.com/2017/06/20/swim-classes-lessons-confronting-anxiety-self-doubt-whole-shebang/

https://tipsforme.wordpress.com/2017/06/22/spoonie-pinup/

https://thedisableddivablog.com/2017/06/21/my-body-failed-to-meet-my-expectations/

http://livewithcfs.blogspot.co.uk/2017/06/weekly-inspiration-restorative-power-of.html

 

Hope you enjoy these and take time to leave a “like” or comment – and share some great bloggers’ work.

Claire x

 

 

 

Monday Magic – Inspiring Blogs for You

On By Claire Saul (PainPalsBlog)In Blogging, chronic illness6 Comments

Monday MagicAnother week and here in the UK we are electioned out!  Well at least I am!  Between the student engineer, now home, and the politics student-in-waiting and the younger sister, mealtimes in our house have proven lively and very noisy as political debates have raged.  Forget the House of Commons, just come to our house!

Of course the student-in-waiting has started his A levels this week and I am probably more stressed than he is.  The whole mum thing, where there is nothing that I can do yet I still worry.  We are keeping everything crossed that an EDS migraine doesn’t rear its ugly head on an exam day as he has had so many recently.  The pizotifen mad him feel worse, so he is now taking propanolol to try to stop the migraines before they start, if you get my drift.  He is pretty good at internalizing things though as believe me you would’t know that there were any exams happening!!

I have had more hospital trips and tests this week which I will tell you about in another post, but mum and I made friends with several delightful elderly gents in haematology outpatients, and the nurse became mum’s friend for life when she declared her to look at least 10 years younger than she is.  One thing we zebras can be grateful to Ehlers Danlos for – great skin!!

I have found another 10 great new blog posts for you – a couple from some friends who have featured before, others who will become new favourites with you I hope! There are a couple of great posts here with the summer holidays in mind – playdough and Disneyland, what more could you want??  So grab a cuppa, sit down and enjoy some fantastic reads……

Love-your-body-e1496630172878
Image from ChronicSex.org

http://theseatedview.blogspot.co.uk/2017/06/its-all-in-your-head-fighting-for.html

https://lightscameracrohns.com/2017/06/05/relationships-caretakers-and-crohns-a-candid-interview-with-my-husband/

https://findingmymiracle.com/2017/06/05/bigger-than-my-something/

http://www.prohealth.com/library/showarticle.cfm?libid=30398

http://patienceandpajamas.com/disney-travels-part-one/

http://www.chronicsex.org/2017/06/7-ways-feel-sexy/#main

https://reclaiminghope.blog/2017/06/08/maintaining-mobility-with-fibromyalgia/

https://beinglydia.com/2017/06/11/the-ache-of-triumph/

https://medicalmysterymusings.wordpress.com/2017/06/01/meet-the-admin-team/

http://strengthandsunshine.com/how-to-make-natural-homemade-gluten-free-playdoh/

 

……..please comment, share and make the blogger’s day!

Claire x

Disney
Image from Google

Monday Magic – Inspiring Blogs for You

On By Claire Saul (PainPalsBlog)In Blogging, chronic illness2 Comments

Monday Magic

The children of the UK have returned to school after half term, which should have been a week of fun and rest (and revision for the older ones!) – sadly it ended with another devastating terrorist attack which has seen more innocent lives destroyed, and yet more fighting for life across our capital’s major hospitals.

As a professional patient, and in a previous life a medical professional, I have been both a patient and worked in some of these hospitals – I was born in south London and lived in central London during my early nursing days.  My most recent in patient stays have been in Guys hospital, situated next to London bridge the site of the attack on Saturday night.  Being able to picture the streets where an atrocity has happened makes it so much more real – I am sure Mancunians will understand this too.  We spent a day in London last week whilst our 18 and 14 year old went to see the Harry Potter show.  Security was tight at the theatre, as you would expect, but it was lovely to see so many families out and enjoying a beautiful day on the South Bank – it is easy to say that we won’t allow terrorists to stop our normal life, but to actually make sure that we carry on is not always so easy.

Last night the young American singer, Ariana Grande, hosted a benefits concert in Manchester, watched by approx 14 million on the television.  I knew very little about this young lady, but I take my hat off to her for what she and her management team have achieved in the last week.  She was criticised in some parts of the press for “running away”, and then for arranging a benefit too quickly – I think that whatever she did she would be damned by someone.  But having been in an awful situation along with her fans, she used her fame and contacts to do something good…..there were lots of tears in Old Trafford last night, but lots of laughter, fun and inspiration too.

Speaking of inspiration, I am still finding fantastic different blogs from the Chronic Illness Bloggers community to share with you.  If you have followed this regular feature, you know the drill….make yourself a cuppa, settle down and enjoy some great posts from some inspirational people!

https://itpainsmeblog.wordpress.com/2017/05/21/using-distraction-to-heal/

https://medicallyodd.com/blogbreathemia/

https://primaryimmunepatientsunited.com/orphans-of-the-ahca/

https://charlottedebs.com/2017/06/02/footwear-friday-week-1/

http://www.nataliemabbott.com/choose-kind-kinda/

https://treasuresonthesand.com/2017/05/29/stress-a-chronic-pain-warriors-worst-enemy/

https://arkaysthoughts.com/2017/05/23/different-weird-alien/

http://oneticktobesick.blogspot.co.uk/2017/05/lyme-disease-awareness-month-check.html

http://www.whentaniatalks.com/browhaus-classic-brow-lead-review/

http://www.chronicandblessed.com/ditching-sugar/

Enjoy and please like or comment on the posts!

Claire x

 

Monday Magic – Inspiring Blogs for You!

On By Claire Saul (PainPalsBlog)In Blogging, chronic illness8 Comments

Monday Magic

I have found myself reading a lot of new blogs and posts recently – many that I have found through link /meet & greet parties and others through connecting on instagram, twitter etc!  It just strikes me what talented people are out there and also some pretty fantastic writers too.  Some of your poetry has blown me away.

So this week I have some very new bloggers to introduce you to along with some well established, but new to me, sites.  I hope that some of you newbies will consider looking up the Chronic Illness Bloggers network and joining us – we are a friendly bunch who communicate mainly on our members facebook page!  Details here : How to join Chronic Illness Bloggers.

So once again, grab a cuppa, put your feet up and enjoy some great posts – please remember to comment and share if you enjoy them,

Claire x

 

http://iwendy.ca/2017/05/17/hello-world/

https://3sistersabroad.wordpress.com/

https://fibrowarroir.wordpress.com/2017/05/11/life-then-life-now/

https://courtneymmorgan.wordpress.com/2017/05/21/week-one/

https://mywalkinthewoods.wordpress.com/

http://www.multipleexperiences.org/2017/05/19/this-is-jamie-the-raw-and-uncut-version/

https://highwaytohealingblog.wordpress.com/2017/05/14/named-remarkable-traveler-by-weigh-out-wander/

https://morespoons.com/chronic-talk-episode-2-mental-health-awareness-month-mother-schizophrenia/

http://www.abreak4mommy.com/2017/04/myobuddy-massager-pro-review/

http://sweatpantsandcoffee.com/sweatpants-self-care-8-tips-to-help-you-thrive-while-living-with-constant-fatigue/

Puerto-Vallarta
Puerto Vallarta – photo taken by Kirstin Larkin, HIGHWAY TO HEALING BLOG

 

 

 

Living with Ehlers Danlos Syndrome – film for #EDSAwarenessMonth

On By Claire Saul (PainPalsBlog)In chronic illness, Ehlers Danlos SyndromeLeave a comment

I am really pleased to have contributed, in a small and rather quiet way, to this video that Jenni has put together for EDS Awareness month.  Jenni is a vlogger/blogger and goes by the name 1nvisibl3Girl – please have a look at her channel & blog and the social media sites of the other great (very young!!) EDSers on this short film!!

“This video is all about living with Ehlers Danlos syndrome (EDS) as the zebras I have been lucky enough to get to know, and I, share our own experience of this chronic, invisible illness. We talk about what EDS is to us, how we manage our symptoms, how EDS has changed our lives, why we started our own EDS based blog or vlog and our hopes and dreams for the future. We hope this is shared as much as possible this May as it is #EDSawarenessmonth so people can learn what it is really like to live with EDS but also to support those also living with the disease. I know it is long but please watch it all if you can. There are some amazing people describing some very difficult things in their own words. This is a project I am very proud of.” Jenni Pettican