How to live with an Illness

How do you live with an illness and still be yourself?
Its hard. First you have to get over the shock . Its like waking up one day normal and weird the next.
How did I attack the major new bump in the road? By taking one day at a time. It was hard to adjust to who I am today. I sat around wondering what to do know that my life had been shattered. I thought all the goals I had could never be accomplished. And some of them I really can't. I sat around wondering why God did this to me? Why was I the weird kid? Why couldn't it have been my sister? Because the process of finding out what I had took so long I had time to think about it. But it wasn't until I found out what I had I that I began to deal with it. It was very hard finding answers to my questions but I found them. I slowly began to realize God allowed me to have this for a reason. What reason I don't know, maybe I'm suppose to help other kids cope with finding out they have something major.

One thing to remember is don't plan that for the rest of your life all you can do is sit on the couch and eat potato chips. But rather take it slow at least in the beginning. Figure out what you can do and can't do.
For example I can't go diving into a pool but I can get in slowly. Don't sit on the couch all day moping around because your the one dealing with it. Stay active. For example maybe your on the football team and what illness you have makes it where you can't do a lot of running. Don't give up football right away talk to your doctor and your coach to see what they can do. You still can do things you just have to limit how long you do them.

The best thing you can do is get a support group. I have at least 3. (1) A local community theatre (2) My family (3) My Church. A school group is great but you're limited on time. Your family is perfect because they are always there. And a church is wonderful because you know someone is always praying for you.
A church can really lift you up. For one thing if you are going to a church then make sure you have an Incredible youth pastor or pastor. I am blessed, I have both. My youth ministry is always there for me. I can call anyone and have the youth ministry praying for me in an instant.
The whole thing is find people who are encouraging to you and can lift you up.