LIVING with Long-Term Illness

’In 2013, my body began to malfunction in a confusing and terrifying way. By summer 2014, I could barely walk, I had continuous pronounced bodily tremors, my speech, hearing and sight were affected, I was severely breathless and fatigued, and I was experiencing several episodes of uncontrollable shaking and muscle spasms (seizure-like attacks) every day. And that was only part of the picture.’When we’re unwell for a long time, our illnesses can take over our lives. Endlessly justifying ourselves, talking and thinking about how we are and what we can and can’t do or cope with - it can chip away at us to the point that we lose sight of what matters in life: LIVING.This is a potted version of my real-life story followed by short easy-to-read chapters on various topics I consider to be important to quality of life - all of which are based on my own personal experiences. These include coming to terms with being unwell, keeping a sense of independence and control, staying positive (as much as possible) and how I’ve learned to navigate life in a different way. Each chapter poses questions for you to consider within your own circumstances at a time that’s right for you, with no outside noise to throw you off course. I won’t tell you what you should and shouldn’t be doing, nor how to live your best life or be your best self. In a nutshell, this a book about long-term illness by a person with long-term illness, and its main purpose is to help you help yourself.