Coping Corner, Fall '97

By Jenn Waterman

Originally published in Youth Allied By CFIDS, Fall 1997

Hello from New England! There is a chill in the air as I write this edition of "The Coping Corner," and it hints at cozy evenings of hot cocoa and flannel sheets soon to come. I hope that you are all enjoying the beauty of this season in your own little corner of the world. Autumn means different things in different places, but for young people all over the country it means heading back to the books, teachers, tutors and the hustle and bustle of school. For that reason, I have some wonderful study tips to share with you from Vanessa Matthews and Patricia Labrador. (Thanks, you guys!) And when you're done studying, check out the fun new ideas I have for your Dream Boxes.

Testing... One, Two, Three... Testing
Ah, tests. What young person with CFIDS hasn't had dozens? The needles, X-rays, cute little hospital gowns, number two pencils. Wha...? Oh, that's right, we're talking about tests of the academic variety.

A first-year nursing student, CYA Youth Ambassador Vanessa Matthews is no stranger to these kind of exams. When it comes to studying, she advises her fellow young persons with CFIDS (YPWCs), "Rather than cramming the night before a test, look at your notes every day, if only for a few minutes, to learn your material. Make note cards, or have someone call stuff out to you when studying."

Patricia Labrador of New York concurs with this "study buddy" tip. And if no one is available to give you a hand, she suggests, "Try speaking the facts aloud to yourself - talk yourself into it." I have found it helpful to read aloud from my textbooks because sometimes, when words make no sense inside my head, they seem to unscramble a bit when they leave my mouth and hit the air.

To help yourself memorize information for a test, Patricia says mnemonics are a useful trick. Also, "Make songs (e.g., the alphabet song) about the information and sing them to yourself." Familiarize yourself with the things you'll need to know for the test and spend plenty of time reviewing.

"Don't be afraid to ask your school for the things you need," Vanessa says, "If you do better in a room by yourself during testing, do yourself the favor of asking for it." Check with your school's disability services department to see how they can help you to cope with the special challenges of being a student with CFIDS.

When it comes to keeping your equilibrium while balancing school and uncertain health, common sense and good habits can be a big help. Simple things like getting enough rest, drinking plenty of water and recruiting a friend to help you carry heavy books can make a big difference. Take good care of yourself and don't push yourself too hard.

"Don't get discouraged. Even the healthiest of students have a hard time!" Vanessa reminds us. Don't get down on yourself when things get tough. This just wastes precious physical and emotional energy. You should be proud of yourself for hanging in there through the difficult times. Be sure to take the time to congratulate yourself on your accomplishments - big and small! Although you may not be able to perform like your peers right now, you can be a success in your endeavors.

Whether you're attending school, studying with a tutor, or giving independent study a whirl, remember that there are other YPWCs out there who know what you're going through. Let's give one another the support and encouragement we need! If you have suggestions to share with other students with CFIDS, send them in to "The Coping Corner."

Dream Box
If you're faced with some sleepless nights at any point during the school year, push those school books aside for awhile and pull out your Dream Box.

For those who are new here in The Coping Corner and puzzled about what the Dream Box is, allow me to explain. Many YPWCs suffer from insomnia and find themselves feeling lonely and bored late at night or in the wee hours of the morning. The Dream Box was created to help you through these times. Each Dream Box is unique. Find yourself a box of medium size (a shoe box will do) and decorate the outside with pictures, drawings, comics, favorite quotations, etc. Cover it with things that make you smile. The inside will be filled with things to do in those hours of insomnia. For example:

• A Walkman: My radio/cassette player Walkman is my most valued companion during bouts of insomnia. At times when I'm too sick or tired to read, write or lift my head off the pillow, I can slip on my headphones and listen to some music or an audio book. In my Dream Box, you'll find tapes made especially for nights of insomnia. They're ones that friends have made or that I've made for myself. Some have soothing instrumental music and others have favorite songs - old and new.
  
• A Book of Poems: Often when my powers of concentration aren't enough to follow the story line of a novel, I can still manage to read some poetry. Nothing overly intellectual like Emily Dickinson or Shakespeare, but short, fun poems by writers like Dr. Seuss and Shel Silverstein. Yes, I'm 18 years old and I still read Seuss. At three in the morning, there's nothing quite like One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish to pass the time.