Dear Media
Representative:
Thank you
for taking the time to find out more about National Invisible
Chronic Illness Awareness Week (NICIAW).We hope you will find
helpful information to write your article, conduct your interview.
If you have a specific question for our readers, we are happy
to refer people to you.
For further
information, please contact Lisa directly at: lisa@invisibleillness.com
. She's happy to answer your questions or point you toward additional
resources or information.
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Other dates
to be aware of:
September is Pain Awareness Month -Visit the Partners for Understanding
Pain portal, available on the American Chronic Pain Associations
web site at www.theacpa.org
- National
Courtesy Month; September; 702-386-9115
- National
Shut-in Visitation Day; October 13; 215-374-2930
- Make a
Difference Day; October 21; 703-276-6445
- Sweetest
Day (act of unselfishness); October 21; 810-362-3223
Other resources
of interest:
Quotes about
II Week:
Have you ever
felt the devastating isolation of life with an invisible illness
that robs you of the energy to hug your children or greet your
spouse at the door? Well, you're far from alone my friend! There
are hundreds of thousands of us who dearly understand your trials.
Join us for National Invisible Chronic Illness Awareness Week
to break through the isolation that many have come to accept as
a necessary toleration in life. Discover that you don't have to
tolerate being alone anymore! -Trish Robichaud, Maximum Life Coach,
TeleClass Leader, Motivational Speaker, Facilitator and Disability
Awareness Coach
"As anyone
with chronic illness knows, and especially those with invisible
illness, the search for relief can be as painful and unending
as the illness itself. This psychological and emotional pain is
either soothed or magnified by those outside of these experiences,
such as the general public or the intimate circle of loved ones,
depending on their level of awareness and understanding of a condition
that they often cannot even see. This campaign for awareness is
vital to bridging the painful gap between what those with illness
face and those who do not understand, and opens us all up to healing...and
that is surely a blessing.", Nancy Gordon, Animal Angel Healers
It's time
the "inevitable illnesses" were given more than one
or two lines in the nursing textbooks. I work in a mental health
hospital, and many of my patients deal with fibromyalgia and/or
chronic fatigue syndrome. If the medical staff had a better understanding
of how these illnesses affect the whole body, mind, and spirit,
we wouldn't be telling them to wait to have their chronic pain
treated AFTER we have their depression, or other mental illness
stabilized. I am a registered nurse that has to keep my treatment
for fibromyalgia and severe chronic pain a secret for fear of
losing my job. I suffer through a 12 hour shift without my medication
so that I can never be accused of being impaired at work. I will
stay in there, trying to give what encouragement and support I
can to my patients for as long as I am physically able. - Teri
Beamer, R.N.
I live with
fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, IBS, debilitating migraine
headaches and rheumatoid arthritis. So many people will comment
on how healthy I look and yet I am in constant pain and struggle
to get through my day due to fatigue. I pastor a church, write
daily devotions and also am a wife to a man who is chronically
ill and I am his care taker. I feel awareness is extremely important
as so many suffer silently and need to know that there are those
out there who understand and are praying. Blessings, Rev. Frances
Gamble
Invisible
Illness week is a fantastic way to help educate people on the
challenges of those who live with chronic illnesses. I hear from
people around the world who feel so misunderstood by family, friends,
and the church. I believe awareness will lead to compassionate
hearts toward the chronically ill. -Janine Ridings, Author, Comfort
in the Storm: Devotions for the Chemically Sensitive
I have been
challenged with RSD - reflex sympathetic dystrophy and have renamed
it ridiculous social disorder - because it is an invisible illness
that is how it can be viewed. In the meantime for all of us, remember
God does heal and cure all illnesses. Wendy L Thorenz
The name of
this very important event speaks volumes! "Invisible Illness
Awareness Week" helps to give attention to the plight of
those suffering with chronic illnesses that may not be evident
visibly--yet the pain is real and very much a part of day to day
life. It is also an opportunity to minister one-to-another the
Christian comfort and the validation so necessary to the well-being
of these individuals. Claudette Palatsky, author of Think It Not
Strange, Making Peace with Chronic Pain www.thinkitnotstrange.com
One third
of the population lives with invisible illnesses. This means that
it touches everyone as 1 out of every 3 people we meet have at
least one. The NICIAW is necessary in all walks of life, and especially
in the church! The church is wonderful in responding to the needs
of those who have visible illnesses, surgeries, cancer, etc. But
for those whose illnesses are invisible, too often we are left
to suffer silently. We can all learn a lot during this week! -Terri
Kalmbach, Former Womens Ministries Director, I have Fibromyalgia,
Arthritis, Diabetes, Asthma, Bi-lateral Carpal Tunnel (among others)
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