The Spoon Theory

[amberfocus]

I found this today.  It is probably the best definition of someone living with a chronic illness/depression I have ever seen.  Although the article is from the point of view of someone living with Lupus, I find it relates the same to any disabilities that are not visible.  I have felt this way at so many times in my life.  It really explains things for those who cannot relate in a way that possibly could make them relate.

http://www.butyoudontlooksick.com/articles/written-by-christine/the-spoon-theory-written-by-christine-miserandino/


Torchwood is taking forever for those waiting.  *sighs*

Comments

[captain91.livejournal.com]

i must say that's a fantastic explanation. i get the feeling soem days even my parents don't understand how much energy soemthing so tiny takes, so maybe this will help me explain too

[ageless-aislynn.livejournal.com]

Oh wow, that's such a profound and brilliant explanation of something that can be SO difficult to try to explain to somebody who's never experienced a long-term chronic illness that interferes with your ability to just have a normal day as most people know it. Thank you so much for that! ♥

[kaffy_r]

Oh, thank you so much for linking to this! It's a brilliantly simple way to help folks who aren't suffering from a chronic "invisible" illness understand those of us who are. I'm sending this link to my Best Beloved; he's been dealing with non-stop chronic pain and more for years.

(In a case of "The universe's twisted sense of justice," I thought I understood what he was going through after 20 years of love and living together; I didn't, until I was diagnosed with my own fun and games last year. I'd rather offer The Spoon Theory to folks who want to understand than wish on them the type of involuntary crash course I got.)

[amberfocus.livejournal.com]

I thought it was great. It just really hit home for me.

[amberfocus.livejournal.com]

It really hits the nail on the head. I just kept going yes, yes, yes, so much while reading it I probably sounded like Meg Ryan in that movie with Billy Crystal. I should know this...brain drain...When Harry Met Sally.

[amberfocus.livejournal.com]

It just explained stuff so well and I figured if I could use it in my condition, there would be a lot of folks on my f-list who might be able to use it, too. I seem to draw the chronically ill and the seriously depressed around me in a circle on LJ. Not quite sure how that happened, but it did. Maybe like attracts like. Yeah, no one needs that crash course, poor you.

[ramblinsuze.livejournal.com]

Isn't that a wonderful explanation of chronic invisible illness? I came across this several years ago and thought it was absolutely perfect. I think I even posted a link in my LJ way back when. Maybe it's time to post it again.

[who-in-whoville.livejournal.com]

Thank you for this gentle reminder... I have been rather impatient (in my mind) with my mom -- she is showing her age, and has chronic health problems.

This really hit me between the eyes:

I had the one spoon in my hand and I said “Don’t worry. I see this as a blessing. I have been forced to think about everything I do. Do you know how many spoons people waste everyday? I don’t have room for wasted time, or wasted “spoons” and I chose to spend this time with you.”

I just got back from spending 6 weeks with her. I wish I had not wasted so many spoons.

[amberfocus.livejournal.com]

Yes, it is. It is very hard having something that isn't readily apparent sometimes. It can be even harder explaining it. This woman did a marvelous job.

[amberfocus.livejournal.com]

I am sure from her view there was far less waste than you think. Just having you there was probably a wonderful thing for her, even with some impatience thrown in.

[crimedoc1.livejournal.com]

I love this - I've been showing this to people for ages now. I've got a joint disorder - it's not visible but there is frequent pain and I sometimes have to choose activities based on how much pain I might be in now and also how much the activity might cause. For example, I use handicapped parking spaces, because the less walking I have to do TO the store, the more I can do IN the store - but it means I get glares and even nasty comments from people since I don't "look handicapped." I should put this on a card and hand it out! :-)

[qtrhorserider.livejournal.com]

Thank you for this.

It is so much like what the days after chemo are like. I gain some extra spoons the further away from treatment that I get, but that also puts me that much closer to the next round.

It's been a stressful week and the concept that I just haven't had as many spoons this week seems a really good analogy for what it's been like. I'm tired now and I can probably hold out until about 9pm before I turn into a pumpkin.

I should be feeling better soon but on Aug. 10, I do the next round. The good news is that it is three of four and I'll be done with chemo. Then I'm on to radiation and a whole new set of spoons to get used to. Fortunately, for me there is and end in sight.