2.02.2012

Building Community


There are several things that are important to me in life and with this blog. One of those things is authenticity. I want to be real, without being negative, and I want to represent only the truth, not a fake version of myself or my life.

Another thing is that I want Live Art.fully to be a community, not just a platform from which I write.

So in the interest of ensuring the development and continuity of those things, I thought we might do a {Tell Me Your Story} post. I would love to know more about YOU (if you are reading this, then yes, I mean you, especially if you are a lurker and haven't commented here before), and I want you to know me.

If you have questions about me, my illness, my life, my art or writing, my family, etc... please feel free to ask in the comments.

And I would love to know a few things about you. So please share:

Why do you read/follow Live Art.fully?
Where where you raised and/or where are you currently living?
What makes you come alive, and do you take time for it on a regular basis?
What's your favorite snack?
What's your favorite movie or TV show?
And please, if you are living with chronic pain or illness, share a little bit about that and how it effects your life.

I love the idea of Live Art.fully being a place where friendships begin or strengthen, and where we can encourage each other. If we were to meet for tea or coffee, what would you tell me about your story?

10 comments:

  1. Why do you read/follow Live Art.fully? ~ I love reading about others who live -- LIVE! -- with chronic illness.

    Where where you raised and/or where are you currently living? ~ Raised in Mechanicsville, VA (home of Jason Mraz & Kari Smith!) and now live at Langley AFB, VA.

    What makes you come alive, and do you take time for it on a regular basis? ~ Hrrm, good question. I'd say what makes me come alive is being around friends and family. As you know, chronic illness can be very isolating. Being around other people really helps me forget about the pain & enjoy others.

    What's your favorite snack? ~ I'd have to say chocolate. Dark chocolate. Add in some sea salt & I'm your BFF.

    What's your favorite movie or TV show? ~ Don't really have either of those, although I'm a huge fan of the Real Housewives franchise LOL.

    And please, if you are living with chronic pain or illness, share a little bit about that and how it effects your life. ~ Aha... knew that was coming! ;-)

    My story began in 2009, where, after a relatively routine abdominal surgery, I awoke with my left leg paralyzed. Further testing would show that my femoral nerve had been nearly completely severed. A few months later, they discovered that I'd developed a rare disease (Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy Syndrome) as a result of that injury. Now I'm trying to learn how to live again. Rehab is a hard job, but someone has to do it! :-)

    Thanks for putting this together. It will be interesting to hear how others respond to it as well.

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  2. Ooookay... I thought my response was too long so I wrote a blog post! http://rainintorainbows.com/2012/02/02/community-brought-to-us-by-live-art-fully/

    Now I see that it's posted LOL... I guess Disqus was having hiccups? Oh well, I'll leave mine up -- maybe I can send some new readers your way! :-)

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  3. Such a great idea! You are a great encourager and I hope anyone that reads and/or lurks will step forward and tell you a bit about themselves! And I follow you because your spirit leaps through the screen at me. Plus I glean so much about how I want to live through my life with cancer from you and your life with AS. Hugs girlie, I hope you are well :)

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  4. Sorry Shari, I have no idea what happened. Thank you so much for answering the questions and for sharing about this post on your blog. I appreciate you!

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  5. I am so thankful for you, Vicky. From Day One I have felt so honored to be your friend. Think of you often.

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  6. Shari, thank you! I know you a bit better now. And seriously, what does sea salt NOT make better? yum. Reading your answer to that question made me want to send you a care package with new pajamas and bars of dark chocolate with sea salt. Isn't it a gift to know we're not alone, on our own islands? It makes me feel better to know you and to know Vicky and Shannon and so many others here. And to know that every day we are all dealing with challenges, and still striving to shine and truly live.

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  7. Why do you read/follow Live Art.fully? -- I am inspired by the things you write. You make me think.

    Where where you raised and/or where are you currently living? -- raised in many places across Canada. Currently living in Northeastern Alberta (Fort McMurray)

    What makes you come alive, and do you take time for it on a regular basis? I love creating things with my hands - crocheting, quilting, baking - and I love giving to others. I often get too busy to actually take the time to create.

    What's your favorite snack? Chocolate, hands down.

    What's your favorite movie or TV show? Don't really have one.

    And please, if you are living with chronic pain or illness, share a little bit about that and how it effects your life.
    - I broke my femur 9 years ago and I currently have 1 rod and 3 pins in my leg. My right leg is now nearly 1" shorter than the other. Short enough to cause daily back/hip/pelvic pain but not short enough for them to do anything about it. I seemed to be managing ok, but over this past year, I've had several episodes where my hip is displaced and I find it impossible to do much of anything to care for myself, much less my family. It gets a bit discouraging at times.

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  8. Heidi! Thank you so much for commenting. So nice to hear from you. I had no idea about your injury and resulting pain. Thank you for sharing about that. I'm sorry to hear you are dealing with that challenge.

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  9. I am late coming to this post, but I still want to join in the fun!

    Why do you read/follow Live Art.fully? :: Because your blog is uplifting and inspiring to me. It is encouraging to read words from another wife and mother who has a chronic illness and strives to live for the glory of God.

    Where where you raised and/or where are you currently living? :: I have been all over, but I am currently living in Georgia.

    What makes you come alive, and do you take time for it on a regular basis? :: Serving others in any way I can: writing cards, sending encouraging emails, blogging, volunteer work for the Dysautonomia Information Network. I can't do all of those every week, but I usually do at least one of them every day.

    What's your favorite snack? :: Home popped popcorn. Delicious.

    What's your favorite movie or TV show? :: Right now I am really enjoying watching "White Collar." It is funny and smart, and I love that the main married couple has a good and loving relationship. The husband loves his wife, and she supports and encourages him in his life and work. You don't see many good marriages on tv anymore.

    And please, if you are living with chronic pain or illness, share a little bit about that and how it effects your life. :: I have dysautonomia. This means that my autonomic nervous system doesn't properly regulate things such as heart rate, blood pressure, temperature, digestion, vision, sensory processing, energy production, and more. It leaves me very tired and weak. I am mostly home-bound, and I have to be in bed for about 18 hours a day. It makes my heart ache to not be able to physically be with and serve my family as I would like. It is hard for my husband to work outside the home because the children and I need to be cared for nearly constantly. Life is challenging! But good things come from it too. My children have learned to be compassionate, patient, and sensitive at very young ages. My husband and I often have opportunities to share the gospel with others *because* of the situation we are in. Others are watching us (via facebook, blogs, and in real life). They see the hardships we face as well as the trust that we have in the Lord in these difficult times. They see that our faith is real, our hope is real, and our joy is real. It opens up some great conversations, and I am thankful to the Lord for the opportunity to be a witness for Him.

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    ReplyDelete

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