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Article #67: Disability, Chronic Illness, and Spirituality

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When I was diagnosed with Multiple the context of disability is sparse, many
Sclerosis in the mid 1980's as a thoughtful writers have considered
"diagnosis of exclusion" (see, my illness religion and spirituality to be crucial
had been mis-diagnosed for about 25 years factors in adjustment to disability. BUT,
prior to this initial "diagnosis") I we must be careful not to "blame" God, as
became VERY angry with God. "Why me", I I did, or to say that my disability is
asked. Why did I have to be the one you "God's Will, or punishment for something
inflicted with this terrible disease? Why that I did". Saying these things isn't
couldn't you let the Doctors conclusively taking responsibility for our lives and
diagnose the condition? Why did I have to figuring out how to live a better life by
keep pretending that the Doctors were managing symptoms. Instead, become
mistaken, just so that I could live my reconnected with whatever spiritual
day-to-day life? process/religion that you find speaks to
I was asking the wrong question, you see. you, and live in the present with all of
Instead of asking "Why me, God?", I the gifts that you still have. Being
should have been asking, "Why NOT me, affiliated with a specific religion can
God?" See, I was trying to become the sometimes help those of us with
"before the diagnosis" me, and I just disabilities find comfort in times of
could not do it. So, I went into denial, isolation and despair.
and pretended that nothing was wrong. While little research has been conducted
And, as anyone who is disabled, or who is on the influence of organized religion in
living with a chronic condition can tell the context of disability, studies on the
you, living with a disability is hard general population have been positive.
enough without trying to become a pale For example, a 28-year follow-up of
image of who one might have been without thousands of people aged 18-65 years
the disability, i.e., trying to fit into found that the individuals who attended
a world designed by and for able-bodied at least weekly religious services had
individuals, most of whom are equally lower rates of depression, smoking, and
dispirited. It took me quite a while alcohol use; they also tended to have
(about 10 years, actually) to come to the greater social support. Frequent
conclusion that I needed to stop being in attendees were more likely to have
denial; I needed to accept the condition, engaged in other healthy behaviors,
learn how to manage symptoms, and get on including physical exercise. The effect
with a quality life. Indeed, I needed to on survival was good after other factors
ask, "Why not me God!" For living in were taken into consideration - their
denial meant that the ILLNESS DEFINED ME; risk of death was reduced by 34%.
I was very unhappy; I was seperated from When disability is integrated as another
my spirituality; I was alone; and, I dimension of living, spiritual growth can
contributed to disruptive events in my take place. Please reread this red phrase
life. again. It talks about integrating a
It may sound corney, but I used my disability or a chronic condition "as
illness/disability experience as an anothe dimension of living"! It means,
opportunity to get in touch with the taking back control of your life;
needs of my "true self". That is, I actually "living" again, and managing
decided to use this opportunity to take symptoms as part of every day life! AND,
back control over my life; to recommit to believe me, this is not easy! If you have
my spirituality; to discover and live a the opportunity to acquire the
quality life; and, to keep replenishing Disabilitykey Workbook, you will see that
my "well" of personal happiness and I use my actual condition as an example
satisfaction by reaching out to others in for others to follow. Whenever I have to
similar situations. I mean, who better to focus on my "Multiple Sclerosis Symptom
discuss about living with a chronic Impairment Matrix", I get depressed all
illness than someone who does so on a over again. My brother felt bad about
daily basis, and not just some asking me about his "condition" because
Researcher? Who better to create a he felt that it was NOTHING compared to
Workbook (found at to assist others what I cope with (more about his question
obtain disability insurances to which in further blogs). BUT, I only
they are entitled than someone who used concentrate on the symptom process when I
the process herself, and not just a need to. Otherwise, I concentrate on
theoretical social services person? Who symptom management, and on daily living
better to create a website and an online as quality a life as I can.
blog where we of similar condition can Integrating experiences of disability
chat with, and learn about extending our allows a person with a disability to
quality of life than someone practicing recognize that suffering and hurtful
each and every day? experiences are universal conditions. It
Does my spirituality help me in these can be a time for you to discover
endeavors? You bet it does! Spirituality untapped resources; it can be a time
is a quality that goes beyond involvement where you decide that you DO HAVE TIME TO
in a religious organization. It is a more play with your grandchildren, or read
basic construct. The highest level of our that book you have been putting off, or
development is affected by our ability to research your grandparents as they came
appreciate the sacred in life; to live to America long ago.
each day with purpose, and to find a Spirituality is a way for people with
sense of meaning and purpose for our disabilities to fulfill their potential
lives. Spirituality invites each of us and discover the possibilities while
with disabilities and/or dealing with a learning to live with and integrate their
chronic condition to live fully and in disability-related limitations and yet
the present - in REALITY, the here and expand their boundaries to experience the
now. Not in denial, but in control of our fullness of life.
lives, learning about, managing, and As part of my Internet research for this
living each day in quality! blog, I found the following website
Research suggests that people, and in entitled "Faithability Religion,
particular persons with disability, Spirituality and Disability Resources".
depend on spirituality and religion as an You can subscribe to the site, for free,
important, if not primary, method of and receive (I think - I haven't gotten
coping with physical health problems and anything yet) periodic information. The
life stress. Most research, however, has site looked interesting, so here it is:
addressed one's involvement in religion Once again, your comments, thoughts, and
rather than spirituality. ideas on this and other blogs are
Although research about spirituality in welcomed!






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