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RETURN
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Summer
2000
One to One
A
sharing of tips, strategies, ideas and helpful thoughts from one person with CFIDS to another
Dealing with disappointment
PWCs are often plagued by intense feelings
of disappointment
and worthlessness due to their illness. Here are some ways I’ve found to help cope with these feelings:
-
Find something to look forward to. If you have to decline a party invitation
or wake up
knowing that the trip to your favorite restaurant isn’t going to happen, plan something you can do. Put
on soothing music and soak in a bubble bath. Have someone bring you a video that you’ve been anxious to
see. Treat yourself to a new book.
-
Make a list of realistic daily goals, even if it only consists of a few
simple things,
such as writing some checks, washing your hair or making a simple casserole that can be frozen in individual
portions. Avoid the temptation to add more tasks.
-
Praise yourself. Pat yourself on the back occasionally and tell yourself
you deserve the
Medal of Valor for surviving this horrible illness.
Mary Ann Tricsko Sotero,
Lake Placid, Fla.
Using heating pads for pain
I have a lot of muscle pain and have
tried heat via
electric pads, without much effect. I then came across a product called “Make it Better Bag” that can
be heated in the microwave for one or two minutes and stays comfortably warm for more than an hour. It
is about 10 x 11 inches, and is filled with organic “beads” that shift to conform to your body. The bags
can be ordered from The Darlin Company, 800/643-2094, for $14.95 (includes shipping). During the past
winter, I sometimes used three at the same time
to help ease my pain.
Diane Steinberg, Moore,
S.C.
Easier way to drink lying down
Yes, I know that sports are the last thing on
your mind, but did you realize that a sports bottle will let you drink without sitting up? For those of
us who are bedridden some or all of the time, this can help save a little bit of energy.
Bek Oberin,
Melbourne, Australia
Combatting dehydration
It is important for individuals with neurally
mediated
hypotension or orthostatic intolerance to maintain adequate hydration. CeraLyte, a rice-based electrolyte
drink, helps replace important min-erals as well as fluid lost through exercise, stomach virus or diarrhea.
I’ve found it especially helpful when traveling by plane, which can be dehydrating. You may want to experiment
with adding unsweetened drink mix (like Crystal Lite or Kool Aid) to mask the salty taste.
Rebecca
Moore, Hyde Park, N.Y.
The success of this section depends on you. If you have a coping tip,
a favorite quotation
or a self-care treatment that has helped you, share it with others. Mark notes “One to One” and please
include an E-mail address or a phone number.
Build your resume
Having a disability poses
a unique set
of challenges when you present yourself to potential employers. Gaps in work history, several jobs of
short duration or special work needs can be negative flags. But there are things you can do to appear
more attractive on paper and draw attention away from potential negatives.
- Focus on specific skills instead of duties and positive personality traits,
such as dedication and flexibility.
- Cluster similar short-term jobs into one job description.
- In all job descriptions, include achievements, awards, positive evaluations,
achievements and anything else that shows your abilities, particularly quantitative results.
- Highlight volunteer activities, particularly if they involve work-related
skills.
Don’t disclose your disability on your resume;
you may choose to do this in
the interview, but your resume should focus on your skills and the ways in which you can use those skills
to benefit the employer.
For more information on job hunting with a disability, try the Equal
Employment Opportunity Commission at 800/669-4000. There are also many good
web resources.
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