ChronicBabe 101

An interview with Jenni Grover Prokopy and Toni Bernhard, about acceptance of chronic illness. Toni Bernhard is an author, blogger for Psychology Today, and chronic pain and illness advocate. She is the author of three incredible books, two of which focus on living with grace and joy despite chronic illness (which includes chronic pain), and one which focuses on the Buddha’s path to awakening to a life of peace and well-being. They are: How to Live Well with Chronic Pain and Illness: A Mindful Guide (Fall 2015), How to Wake Up: A Buddhist-Inspired Guide for Navigating Joy and Sorrow (2013), and How to Be Sick: A Buddhist-Inspired Guide for the Chronically Ill and their Caregivers (2010).

An interview with Jenni Grover and Kerri Morrone Sparling about building great habits when you have chronic ilness. Kerri Sparling has been living with type 1 diabetes for over 29 years, diagnosed in 1986. She manages her diabetes and lives her life by the mantra “Diabetes doesn’t define me, but it helps explain me.” You can find her at www.sixuntilme.com

An interview with Jenni Grover and Steven Kvaal, Ph.D., about the impact of past relationships on our self-assesment and negative/positive thought patterns. Dr. Steven Kvaal is an associate professor in the Department of Psychology at Roosevelt University, where he has been the Director of Training and Director of the PsyD Program in Clinical Psychology, and currently focuses on teaching and training. He began his work in health psychology in graduate school, where he provided behavioral treatments to tension and migraine headache patients and support services for hospice patients and their families.

An interview with Jenni Grover and Caryn Feldman, Ph.D. about how boundaries can strengthen relationships. Caryn Feldman, Ph.D. is a licensed clinical psychologist at the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago, Center for Pain Management. She is also an assistant professor at Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine, Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation.

An interview with Jenni Grover and Ev'Yan Whitney about sensuality and sexuality for ChronicBabes. Ev’Yan is a writer and female liberation artist. Her mission is to help liberate others into loving themselves, manifest their sexualities, and encourage them to be beautifully mindful... if only to teach herself the same lessons. She spins unadulterated truth and provokes self-actualization over at her blog SexLoveLiberation.com.

An interview with Jenni Grover and Lisa Copen about building an awesome support team. Lisa Copen founded Rest Ministries, Inc. after being diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis at the age of 24. Rest Ministries is a non-profit Christian organization that exists to serve people who live with chronic illness or pain, and their families. Find Lisa at www.RestMinistries.com.

An interview with Jenni Grover and Dr. Val Jones about the value (and stategy) of building terrific relationships with healthcare providers. Dr. Val Jones is a graduate of Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, board-certified in physical medicine and rehabilitation, and the founder of Better Health, LLC, one of the most popular medical blogs. With over 130 contributors, Better Health is a content partner with the Centers For Disease Control And Prevention, the American College of Surgeons, Harvard Health Publications, Diario Medico, and the Columbia Department of Surgery. Find more Val at www.GetBetterHealth.com

An interview with Jenni Grover and Rosalind Joffee, a career coach who focuses on helping people with chronic illness. Rosalind Joffe, founder and president of ciCoach, is passionate about coaching people and giving them the tools they need to thrive in their work while living with chronic illness. Rosalind draws on her experience living with chronic illnesses for over 30 years, including multiple sclerosis and ulcerative colitis. Her unique career coaching firm is dedicated to helping people with chronic illness develop the skills they need to succeed in their work lives. Find Rosalind at www.CIcoach.com/

An interview with Jenni Grover and Jennette Fulda about learning better communication skills. Jennette Fulda is a writer, web designer, chronic headache sufferer, weight-loss inspiration, blogger, and former governor of the fourth grade. She lives in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. In 2008 Jennette got a headache that still hasn't gone away. She wrote about her ordeal in a humorous headache memoir called Chocolate and Vicodin: My Quest for Relief from the Headache that Wouldn’t Go Away. Find Jennette at www.JennetteFulda.com.

An interview with Jenni Grover and Kevin Rynn, PharmD about navigating relationships with pharmacists. Kevin explains the extent of what pharmacists can do for ChronicBabes, and teaches us how to build an effective relationship to ensure you get excellent care.

An interview with Jenni Grover Prokopy and Jackie Sloane, MCC about handling difficult conversations. Jackie is an executive coach with an extensive practice and experience teaching people how to build effective relationships. You can find Jackie at www.SloaneCommunications.com.