Podcast appearances and mentions of christine miserandino

In this episode, I introduce the concept of Spoon Theory, originally articulated by Christine Miserandino, to explore the experiences of individuals living with chronic illness and disability. Through my reflections and the reading of Miserandino's article, I emphasize the importance of understanding personal capacity and the systemic challenges faced by healthcare professionals with disabilities. The conversation advocates for compassion and awareness within the healthcare system, encouraging listeners to recognize their own limits and those of their colleagues.Early-bird registration from Creating Space 2025 is opening ONLY for the month of March! Head to⁠ joanchanmd.com/space⁠ to book your connection call and benefit from the early-bird payment plan and bonus coaching session

W tym odcinku porozmawiamy o tzw. "teorii łyżek" Christine Miserandino i tym, jak jej metafora wyczerpania przekłada się na psy. Dlaczego czasem zdarza się, że pies reaguje nieadekwatnie do sytuacji. I co zrobić, by pomóc mu szybciej powracać do równowagi i jak wspierać jego własne możliwości samoregulacji.Podam Wam w tym odcinku konkretne ćwiczenie - wspólnej relaksacji z psem. Z czasem umiejętność relaksacji, odprężenia będzie można przenieść poza dom na inne, znacznie trudniejsze dla psa sytuacje - takie jak kolejka do weterynarza, jazda samochodem lub pociągiem lub odpoczynek w parku, pełnym ludzi i psów. Zaproszę Was również do Wyzwania - Wiosna z Relaksem, 8-tygodniowego Kursu relaksacji, jaki dla Was szykuję. Serdecznie Was zapraszam do posłuchania. 

Faith Organizers Kelley Fox and Rev. Terry Williams share survival strategies for the hard times, using seemingly perpetual winter weather as a metaphor to understand the ongoing struggle for reproductive health, rights, and justice. Acknowledging the chill of the current political climate, Kelley and Terry help listeners take stock and get some hope-filled perspective in the midst of what is undeniably a rough time for people who value abortion justice, religious freedom, and the principles of reproductive justice in our state and nation. Links to discussed content:  What are "Love Languages" exactly? - https://www.simplypsychology.org/five-love-languages.html Love Languages reimagined - https://www.trystanreese.com/blog/2019/9/15/acts-of-solidarity-queer-love-languages What is the quality time love language? Plus, 9 examples - https://www.calm.com/blog/quality-time-love-language  Night Cannot Last Forever - https://www.faithchoiceohio.org/blog/night-cannot-last-forever The Spoon Theory written by Christine Miserandino - https://butyoudontlooksick.com/articles/written-by-christine/the-spoon-theory/ ACLU Ohio - https://www.acluohio.org/ TransOhio - https://www.transohio.org/ Equality Ohio - https://equalityohio.org/ Abortion Forward - https://abortionforward.org/ Music by Korbin Jones

Ever feel like you're constantly running on empty, struggling to explain why simple tasks sometimes feel impossibly hard with Hashimoto's? Living with Hashimoto's can feel like an endless battle with your energy levels, especially when others don't understand why you can't "just push through." This episode introduces the Spoon Theory created by Christine Miserandino. It's a simple yet profound way to understand and talk about your daily energy that will change how you navigate life with Hashimoto's.   Join me as we explore: how this theory can help communicate our invisible battles to family and friends. how to ask for support when we run out of "spoons." tips to manage fatigue better and discuss how understanding our energy limits is a strength, not a weakness! Listen now, because understanding your energy limits isn't weakness, it's wisdom.   The Spoon Theory PDF by Christine Miserandino https://cdn.totalcomputersusa.com/butyoudontlooksick.com/uploads/2010/02/BYDLS-TheSpoonTheory.pdf   Find all links on my resource page: https://healthwithhashimotos.com/resources/   ABOUT THE PODCAST & ESTHER: The Health with Hashimoto's podcast will help you explore the root causes of your autoimmune condition and discover holistic solutions to address your Hashimoto's thyroiditis. It is hosted by Esther Yunkin, a registered nurse, holistic health educator, and Hashimoto's warrior.   This podcast is for informational and educational purposes. Please discuss any questions or concerns with your healthcare professional.

Of course approaching the one year anniversary of losing someone very important, our thoughts turn to grief. In this episode we discuss grief as it pertains to chronic illness patients and even try to apply it to how the doctor's feel/act.We've also added a resource to every discription which is the most elaborate checklist of symptoms associated with Ehlers-Danlos. You have to school a bit past some technical jargon but the checklist is there and easy to read.  We're on YouTube too: https://www.youtube.com/@taleoftwozebrasAmberlyn aka Mrs. Labeezy's Amazon Must Haves includes some of Ann's loved items too:https://www.amazon.com/shop/mrs.labeezy/list/1U6RAYC0SJK4T?ref_=cm_sw_r_apin_aipsflist_aipsfmrs.labeezy_NQXZZ7SVJ2PSF3EZ700Y&language=en_USZebras are the rare type of spoonies often affiliated with the Ehlers-Danlos patients. Please check out the website: https://www.ehlers-danlos.comHere is another checklist of common issues with EDS: https://www.orthopt.org/uploads/Management_of_Hypermobility.pdfIf you'd like to be a guest, please reach out to Ann and Mrs. Labeezy at TaleofTwoZebras@gmail.comGiving credit where credit is due: Christine Miserandino revolutionized the chronic illness community by sharing her Spoon Theory with the world on her blog: https://butyoudontlooksick.com Because of her contribution, those suffering with chronic illness are often referred to as "Spoonies" and we often refer to energy stored and expended in units of spoons.

Become a monthly subscriber for just $1.99 per month and receive an additional two to three episodes per week!https://app.redcircle.com/shows/9472af5c-8580-45e1-b0dd-ff211db08a90/exclusive-contentIn this episode of The A to Z English Podcast, Xochitl and Jack talk about spoon theory:Spoon Theory: The Spoon Theory is a metaphor used to explain the limited amount of energy and resources that people with chronic illnesses or disabilities have to accomplish daily tasks and activities. It was coined by Christine Miserandino in 2003 in an essay she wrote to explain her experience with lupus to a friend.Transcript:00:00:01JackWelcome to the A-Z English podcast. My name is Jack and I'm here with my co-host social and today social and I are going to talk about something called Spoon theory and I don't really know what this is, to be honest. I am kind of ignorant on this topic, but social is going to explain.00:00:22JackThe meaning of spoon theory and then we are going to complain like a couple of old people about all of our physical ailments that we're dealing with, right? So, OK, awesome. Alright. What is spoon theory? Social.00:00:34XochitlYes.00:00:39XochitlSo spoon theory is a metaphor, and it describes the amount of physical or mental energy that you have available for daily activities. So if you live with chronic pain or chronic illness, whether it's mental or physical or both, you're kind of limited in a way that other people aren't. And so.00:00:59XochitlThe idea is that you have a set amount of spoons. Let's say you have 10 spoons for your day, and then things that other people don't realize take up energy because they have.00:01:09XochitlA more fit body do take up energy for people with chronic pain. So let's say getting up and out of bed, taking a shower, making something to eat.00:01:23XochitlEven getting ready for bed, getting dressed, all those things can put strain on your body and eat up your spoon. So maybe by the time you even get ready to go to work, you're down 5 spoons and someone who doesn't have chronic illness might have just used a spoon or half a spoon of energy to do all those.00:01:44JackYeah. And let's just, uh, quickly, uh, unpack a little bit of the vocabulary. Chronic means, like, always constant. So chronic pain means you're always in pain from the time you wake up to the time you go to bed. You have some kind of pain.00:01:54발표자Yes.00:02:04JackIssue.00:02:05JackAnd and so social was describing like, like the spoons are not literally spoons. We're not talking about real spoons. We're saying, like, they're like metaphors. Like, you got 10 spoons and.00:02:19XochitlThey're like units of energy, basically.00:02:21JackUnits of energy. Right. Exactly. And so.00:02:24XochitlLike hit points on a video game when your character has like a little green.00:02:28XochitlR.00:02:30JackYeah, right. Energy. Your power gets, you know, goes down and down and down, yeah.00:02:30XochitlAnd then yeah it.00:02:35XochitlIf your character is a healthy character, let's say they did all their tests and their bar is still green. But if your character has chronic illness, then by the time they're done with their morning routine, they might be down to yellow. They might be.00:02:47XochitlDown to half points.00:02:49JackRight. And let's say your energy level for the day for a person with chronic pain is 10 spoon.00:02:55발표자And.00:02:56JackLike social said, getting ready in the morning, making breakfast, taking a shower, getting dressed, that might be 5 spoons, which means you only have 5 left for the whole day, so you get the bus, get to work, open your computer. You know, there's three more spoons now. You've got 2 spoons.00:02:56XochitlYes.00:03:17JackLeft, you don't even have enough to get home, you know.00:03:20XochitlRight.00:03:22JackUntil you hit the wall right and you're so exhausted.00:03:22XochitlAnd.00:03:24XochitlRight.00:03:26XochitlAnd a lot of people get through their day-to-day on like a spoon deficit. So you're, but you're the concept basically suggests you're borrowing spoons. You're borrowing energy from your next day, which is how people who have chronic illness might end up pushing through of five day work week and doing 40 hours a week.00:03:46XochitlBut then on the weekend, they're just laying in bed the whole 2 days.00:03:50JackRight. They're just totally wiped.00:03:52JackThat out. OK, I love the idea of spoon theory. I think it's a really good. I'm not sure why they call it spoons. Like use spoons as the as the example, but it could be anything. Yeah.00:04:02XochitlRight. I don't know. I think I think because you run out, you run out. I don't know if this is true or not, but you know when you're doing dishes like you only have a certain amount of spoons and you have to do the dishes again.00:04:13JackOhh yeah, that's right that that's probably it. Yeah. I think that makes sense. Yeah, so.00:04:16XochitlYeah.00:04:20발표자So.00:04:22JackUh, I'll, I'll. I'll start with myself here first. Uh, I've been. I've been dealing with. Uh, a chronic chronic back pain for probably 20 years, I would say.00:04:34JackI had my first.00:04:36JackMy first surgery, my first back surgery for disc.00:04:42JackProblems when I was 27.00:04:45JackAnd and then, uh, probably about 10 years later, maybe 15 years later, I had another back surgery for more disc problems. And now for the last like maybe three weeks. I've been dealing with some serious chronic pain just all the time.00:05:07JackWith my back and my discs again. So what? What I find is when you're in pain all the time.00:05:16JackYou're more tired.00:05:18JackYou can't exercise, so when you eat you get bored. You just sitting around. So. So in for me, I'll eat more to, like comfort myself, which makes me.00:05:30XochitlHave something to do right? Yeah.00:05:32JackGain weight, which makes my back hurt more, which makes me more depressed, which makes me want to eat more, which makes me not exercise more and it's like a a horrible spiral. You know, as I just go down the drain, you know, and things are getting worse and worse, so.00:05:48발표자Right.00:05:50JackSo.00:05:51JackYeah. So I so I I know what the spoon theory thing you're talking about is like there are times where I go to work and I run out of spoons, you know, by the my third class, I'm just like.00:06:04JackI don't. Whatever. You know what, guys? Just take a rest and, you know, draw a picture on your paper or whatever you wanted to, you know, talk with your friend like I'm completely. I'm done. Like I I don't have the the mental capacity.00:06:15XochitlAll right.00:06:23JackOr the physical capacity to do this anymore?00:06:27JackAnd and it's a really, it's a really depressing way to live because living with pain all the time means you're kind of always thinking about the pain. It's always in your mind. And then that leaves a little bit of space for you to think about and deal with other people. So I find that I'm really short tempered.00:06:38XochitlYeah.00:06:47JackWith my wife, I'm like, short with my wife. You know, my wife will ask me a question. Like what? You know, what do you want for dinner? What? You know that. That's my response to something like that. And it's like it's so rude.00:06:59JackAnd so disgusting of a response. But it's not. It's not because I was mad at her or anything to do with her. It's just cuz I was in some pain. I'm just like not able to focus. Like what? What did you say? Like I I can't. I can't even hear what other people are saying to me. And I really hate being like this. Like it. Really.00:06:59XochitlRight.00:07:18JackIt really makes me frustrated and I and I.00:07:21JackCan't get good.00:07:22JackSleep because I can't lie on my side. It hurts if I lie on my back. It hurts if I.00:07:27JackLie on my other side, it hurts.00:07:28JackSo it's really I've I've been dealing with this and and I know that you also have understand what I'm saying, cuz I think you've dealt with some like physical issues as well.00:07:38XochitlYeah.00:07:39XochitlDefinitely, Jack. I I completely understand what you're saying. I was born with.00:07:45XochitlBorderline hip dysplasia and both hips, and that just means my anatomy is wonky, so my bone is like here instead of being here, it's like on the edge of where it's supposed to be. And every time I walk it, like beats up the other bone I.00:08:01XochitlSo it like pinches and it's really bad in one hip specifically, which has become weaker due to the pain, but it's really hard to do physical therapy with it because.00:08:09발표자MHM.00:08:14XochitlI'm in pain, so it's hard to start doing exercises around it because it hurts more and it's more tiring and I have like a very limited.00:08:25XochitlAmount of what I can do in one day.00:08:28XochitlWhich means that I'll if I feel like I have energy to do something, I'll do as much as I can in one day and then I'll end up borrowing spoons for the next day. So I'm totally crashed out the next day. I have no energy and I know what you mean. I can also get really short tempered. Uh, one thing, a lot of people don't realize is that.00:08:47XochitlIt affects your sleep.00:08:49JackRight.00:08:49XochitlSo imagine that you had really poor sleep for like a week straight. At that point, if you're only sleeping.00:09:01XochitlFar less hours a night than you're supposed to be, far less comfortably. You probably start getting confused, agitated, irritable.00:09:12XochitlAnd unfortunately, people around you suffer because.00:09:15XochitlYou can snap at them unexpectedly.00:09:18JackYou're not gonna snap at strangers. You know you're gonna snap it. You're the people that you love because you know that they can't abandon you. You know, it's like.00:09:25XochitlRight. You're comfortable with, you're comfortable around them and you're also interacting with them?00:09:29XochitlMore, yeah.00:09:30XochitlOn a daily basis than you would with any strangers, right. So.00:09:34XochitlIt does. It is really hard. It it's one of the reasons that I have a hard time.00:09:39XochitlFinding a full time job that I can do is because.00:09:45XochitlI only have so many spoons in a day and I really struggled with college when I was in college for the same reason. It's not that the work was too hard.00:09:52XochitlFor.00:09:53XochitlMe. It was that I would just get so burnt out in a day from I didn't. I like. I won't sleep well. I'm not eating well. I feel terrible. I can't walk well. Some days I really have to drag myself around.00:10:08XochitlGet anywhere and I think.00:10:12XochitlIt really puts a strain on what you can do in any given day and a lot of people just don't understand.00:10:17XochitlAnd especially when it's kind of an invisible disability. So like people like Jack and I, we might look fine to people on the outside, but we're suffering internally through all these physical and emotional stressors because it does affect your mental well-being as well.00:10:35JackYeah, chronic pain is is a it. It doesn't just affect your body, it it affects your mind as well it it. It plays games with.00:10:42JackYour.00:10:43JackWith your mind and and changes your personality and and your outlook on life and and everything so.00:10:49JackOhh yeah trying trying to overcome it. If you can find some way of dealing with like physical therapy or some kind of you know if there's a if there's a way out of it. I highly recommend pursuing it if it's possible and staying away from like painkillers and opiates and that sort of stuff.00:11:12JackBecause that stuff is.00:11:13JackJust uh masks the pain for a little while, but then that'll send you down a whole, you know, could send you.00:11:20XochitlOhh, their wormhole, right? Yeah.00:11:21JackYes, exactly, exactly so there. You know, there isn't really necessarily always a good solution to our problems. You know, sometimes they can throw painkillers at it. That's not gonna solve the problem.00:11:33XochitlYeah.00:11:34JackYeah.00:11:35XochitlIt's like seeding the monster temporarily, then it like rears its ugly head again.00:11:40JackYeah, it it gives you, you get a week of, you know, like a kind of uh. But then you're foggy, you know, you you're not yourself, you know, so.00:11:48XochitlAnd you can also get your table like as soon as you're off the pain meds or as soon as anything. Yeah, and you get dependent on them. So I think it. Yeah, I I really haven't had much. I did get an injection, A cortisol injection in my hip.00:11:52JackAll right, absolutely, absolutely.00:12:03XochitlThat worked for about two weeks, and then the pain is back, I suppose, to work for average to three to six months. So I'm like, well, totally didn't work. So I burned through that. So we shall see. But yeah, it is. It is a frustrating condition and I think.00:12:11JackYou're like, whoops.00:12:23XochitlFirst world so-called first world countries are just now starting to treat chronic pain as its own condition, not just the underlying cause, but managing it on its own. And we're just now making strides and.00:12:37XochitlMaking accommodations for it in the workplace, and I think we're making big leaps, but yeah, I'm curious to know about your guys's experience as listeners. Do any of you suffer with chronic pain or chronic health conditions? Obviously, only share as much as you're comfortable sharing, but yeah, I'm just curious to know what, what are things like in your country?00:12:56XochitlUM, how does it operate in your country and your culture?00:12:59XochitlThere.00:13:01XochitlYeah, I'm very interested to know. So leave us a comment down below at AZ englishpodcast.com. Shoot us an e-mail at at ozenglishpodcast@gmail.com.00:13:10XochitlAnd make sure to join the we chat and WhatsApp groups to talk to us directly. If you can spare $1.99 Jack and I are making exclusive episodes for subscribers. This really helps us to be able to increase the level and amount of content that we're making. So we really appreciate your support and thank you so much to those of you who have subscribed.00:13:31XochitlReady. And I'll see you the next.00:13:33XochitlTime. Bye bye.00:13:34JackBye bye.Podcast Website:https://atozenglishpodcast.com/topic-talk-spoon-theory/Social Media:WeChat: atozenglishpodcastFacebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/671098974684413/Tik Tok: @atozenglish1Instagram: @atozenglish22Twitter: @atozenglish22A to Z Facebook Page:https://www.facebook.com/theatozenglishpodcastCheck out our You Tube Channel:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCds7JR-5dbarBfas4Ve4h8ABecome a member of Podchaser and leave a positive review!https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/the-a-to-z-english-podcast-4779670Join our Whatsapp group: https://forms.gle/zKCS8y1t9jwv2KTn7Intro/Outro Music: Daybird by Broke for Freehttps://freemusicarchive.org/music/Broke_For_Free/Directionless_EP/Broke_For_Free_-_Directionless_EP_-_03_Day_Bird/https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/legalcodeSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-a-to-z-english-podcast/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Tis the season! What season? Struggle Bus Season! And it doesn't just pertain to Spoonies but Amberlyn and Ann discuss the reality of the struggle and some ways to manage it. Hint: supportive friends and humor. We're on YouTube too: https://www.youtube.com/@taleoftwozebrasAmberlyn aka Mrs. Labeezy's Amazon Must Haves includes some of Ann's loved items too:https://www.amazon.com/shop/mrs.labeezy/list/1U6RAYC0SJK4T?ref_=cm_sw_r_apin_aipsflist_aipsfmrs.labeezy_NQXZZ7SVJ2PSF3EZ700Y&language=en_USZebras are the rare type of spoonies often affiliated with the Ehlers-Danlos patients. Please check out the website: https://www.ehlers-danlos.comIf you'd like to be a guest, please reach out to Ann and Mrs. Labeezy at TaleofTwoZebras@gmail.comGiving credit where credit is due: Christine Miserandino revolutionized the chronic illness community by sharing her Spoon Theory with the world on her blog: https://butyoudontlooksick.com Because of her contribution, those suffering with chronic illness are often referred to as "Spoonies" and we often refer to energy stored and expended in units of spoons.

Co-host Ryan Piansky, a graduate student and patient advocate living with eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) and eosinophilic asthma, and co-host Holly Knotowicz, a speech-language pathologist living with EoE, who serves on APFED's Health Sciences Advisory Council, have a conversation about the Spoon Theory. In this episode, Ryan and Holly discuss the origin of the Spoon Theory, their experiences, and what the Spoon Theory means in their lives.   Listen to this episode to learn how the Spoon Theory could work for you. Disclaimer: The information provided in this podcast is designed to support, not replace the relationship that exists between listeners and their healthcare providers. Opinions, information, and recommendations shared in this podcast are not a substitute for medical advice. Decisions related to medical care should be made with your healthcare provider. Opinions and views of guests and co-hosts are their own.   Key Takeaways: [:50] Ryan Piansky and co-host Holly Knotowicz introduce the topic of today's episode, the Spoon Theory. Both Ryan and Holly will discuss their experiences.   [1:39] About ten years ago, fatigue became a challenge for Holly. As she researched options for managing her fatigue, Holly came across the Spoon Theory, a tool she uses and teaches now in conferences and talks.   [2:05] The Spoon Theory is a story written and copyrighted by Christine Miserandino in 2003 to help explain how chronic illness affects the amount of physical and or mental energy a person has available for daily activities and tasks and how it can be limited.   [2:28] About a year ago, in a Community Conversations episode of APFED's podcast, guest Ashley Spencer discussed EGPA. Ashley and Holly brought up the Spoon Theory. Ryan calls the Spoon Theory a digestible way to convey the effect of living with fatigue from chronic illness.   [2:46] Holly shared how Christine Miserandino developed the Spoon Theory while at brunch with a friend. Her friend asked Christine how she was coping living with lupus. Christine grabbed all the spoons from the table and explained that each task throughout the day costs a spoon.   [3:21] Christine asked her friend to walk through every activity of her morning. As her friend started talking about the different things she does, Christine would remove a spoon from her pile of 12 spoons. When dinnertime came, there was only one spoon. That limited her choices for dinner; this was long before dinner delivery services.   [4:19] Through this exercise, Christine's friend learned how chronic illnesses use up a lot of energy just from existing. For listeners who want to read more, please check out Christines' website, ButYouDontLookSick.com, linked in the show notes.   [4:33] Ryan sees the Spoon Theory as an easy way to convey what living with a chronic illness is like. He asks, why is it 12 spoons? Does everyone have the same number of spoons? In interviews, Christine has said 12 was the number of spoons on the table but it is a good representation of the limited supply people with chronic illnesses have.   [5:07] According to the theory, healthy people have an “unlimited” supply of spoons, while people with chronic illnesses have to ration their spoons to get through the day. Everybody's number is slightly different but the theory uses 12.   [5:22] Ryan shared a story about seeing his sister during the holidays. She doesn't have a chronic illness. She seems to have unlimited spoons for activities she plans, while Ryan may run out of spoons around 10:00 a.m.   [5:46] Ryan asks if it is always the same number of spoons per day. Holly says your baseline number is about 12 spoons. It can vary if you borrowed spoons from the day before or if you have spoons left over from the day before. Some say on a good day, you might wake up with 20 spoons but a bad day would start with 12 spoons.   [6:34] Holly explains about borrowing spoons. If you run out of spoons on one day, before you finish your activities, you might borrow spoons from the next day by canceling a planned activity for the next day. Holly also explains it to people as a lending library.   [7:49] When Ryan was young, he attended the APFED patient education conference every year. He recommends it. His parents warned him not to overextend himself but to take it easy and rest during the day. At every conference, he just kept going for 12-plus hours. When he got home, he would crash for a day. He had used up all his spoons!   [8:36] Ryan asks what happens when you run out of spoons. Holly shares that when you run out of spoons, your body might have a flare-up, or be more susceptible to getting sick because you've become rundown. [9:10] It can also lead to comparison with others and feeling sad or anxious because you don't have the energy that healthy people around you have. For the average person with chronic illness, cooking from scratch from a recipe could be three or four spoons. [9:51] For someone with a specialized diet, that could double. You're not just reading the recipe, you have to think about substitutions and go buy them. You have to know if the recipe will taste good with substitutions. It's mentally exhausting to follow recipes for specialized diets.   [11:04] Holly is an extrovert but sometimes being with people can take too many of her spoons, so she carefully plans her socializing. Being with good friends might take three spoons. Presenting at a conference takes more spoons. Walking a dog could take two spoons. Taking medication or brushing her teeth could take one spoon.   [12:10] For children with chronic illness, going to school might take four of their spoons. Playing soccer might take five spoons, so at times they don't have the energy. This can result in absences from school because they want to have typical social lives but don't have the energy and reserves to do so. It's the same for adults but it's a hard fact for children.   [12:53] Ryan was diagnosed with EoE at age two. Ryan thinks back to high school. He woke up at 6:15 every day to get to high school before 8:00. Getting to school on time probably took most of his spoons. The rest of the day was exhausting. He never did any extracurriculars in high school. By 3:00, he was down for the count.   [13:50] If Ryan's friends wanted to spontaneously do something after school, he often had to refuse. He needed a few days to prepare physically and mentally for extra activities. Having something sprung on him at the last minute drained more of his spoons. He would like to have had the Spoon Theory to explain it to his friends.   [14:52] Holly says there is a mental aspect to having a chronic illness. You have to think about things in advance, especially people living with eosinophilic diseases and/or those who have specialized diets. To consider going out to a meal, you might have to research a restaurant in advance or even talk to the chef. Thinking about and making these phone calls requires spoons.   [16:06] Recently Ryan planned to go out with friends. After they picked a restaurant and Ryan chose what he would order, the friends decided to try a different restaurant. Ryan had to check the menus of six other restaurants before they settled on the original one. The extra effort depleted Ryan's energy and he just sat quietly during dinner.   [19:14] Ryan didn't push himself to be social because it would have eaten into his reserve spoons for the following day. As it was, he slept in the next day.   [20:07] Ryan has had days where he has had to use up the next day's spoons, and then had the next day be equally busy.    [20:28] The Spoon Theory can be applied to different chronic illnesses. Most of them are invisible illnesses. It makes sense that Christine's website is named ButYouDontLookSick.com.   [21:29] Holly loves that the Spoon Theory provides a visual representation of how our energy works and how we can manage it. Because many chronic illnesses are invisible, people don't always understand why we have to cancel, abort, or decline plans. We often have to prioritize activities to protect our health. It's a different standard.   [22:10] We prioritize activities to protect our health and how we feel. Holly uses the Spoon Theory to explain why she declines plans in advance when she has too many things scheduled. She wouldn't be her best self. Holly rarely schedules anything for after an eight-hour workday.   [22:55] Holly thinks of herself as a dynamic person who brings a lot to the table. She doesn't want to be in an activity where she can't participate fully. It reflects on how much her diagnosis seeps into her life. She doesn't like to share her EoE with everybody, even though many people in her life know it and she does this podcast!   [23:25] Over the last six months, Holly's goal has been to map out her week to keep her energy consistent. She plans when to work out in the morning, when to see patients, and when to fly for international conferences. She gives herself a rest day after the flight or she stumbles and mumbles during the presentation. This means she often declines dinner invitations.   [24:45] Holly will accept invitations to destination weddings but then will not book anything extra for a week afterward or she knows she will get sick. It's a pattern.   [25:28] Ryan says sometimes people can tell when he's not at his best, but for the most part, he looks relatively healthy. He's up and about, at meetings and conferences but it's such a limited amount of energy that he has available. It's hard for people with unlimited spoons to gauge how many spoons Ryan has left.   [25:57] Holly often presents at medical conferences about feeding therapy, eosinophilic diseases, food allergies, FPIES, and tube feeding, and she incorporates the Spoon Theory into some of her talks. She has spoons at the podium and starts dropping them as she goes, holding one or none by the end. That's when questions come.   [27:25] Holly likes people to know that when they're working with kids with chronic illness, it's important to pace out their therapy. For example, give a patient two things to work on until the next time, not ten, to be successful.   [28:50] Ryan clusters his multiple specialist annual visits at the start of the fall semester and at the beginning of the spring semester. That means he misses some classes and lectures at the beginning of each semester. It is draining. Tests eat up half his spoons for the day.   [30:35] Holly shares how applying the Spoon Theory impacts managing her health. The Spoon Theory helps her create and maintain boundaries. She adamantly tries to stick to a schedule that rarely depletes her spoons per day. It's still a work in progress. Holly has a therapist who is helping her work on it.   [31:08] Holly schedules social things on days when she has little to no other obligations. She has to maintain that schedule. She has good days and sometimes great weeks which leads her to add more to her plate, but then she runs out of spoons more quickly because she's borrowing from the next day. Eventually, she has no spoons to borrow.   [31:42] Holly went on vacation for her birthday and then last week she was doing great, taking some urgent referrals for babies. This week, she had to cancel things. She is learning that she needs to schedule time to recharge and rest even on good days.   [32:26] Holly has learned there are ways to increase your number of spoons. The most important things are to be compliant with treatment and follow a specific diet (if recommended). A lot of chronic illnesses have a specific researched diet to help you stay healthy. When you have a cheat day, you're harming yourself by taking spoons from your next day.   [33:31] Working out helps with anxiety and depression. There are physical and mental health benefits. Holly started tracking over the last eight months how many spoons working out earned for her, compared to the spoon it took from her. She finds that it adds three to five spoons to her daily reserve. The endorphins boost her energy.   [34:14] Ryan agrees. He goes to the gym at least twice a week. If he misses a day, he feels worse. He goes out for a walk on days he's not going to the gym just to get moving and he feels better after that. Being stuck inside all day is mentally draining as well. Going for a walk takes extra effort but it does feel better.   [35:32] Ryan and his mother have similar food allergy issues so they both carefully stick to their diet. If they vary their diets on vacation, even without eating triggers or allergens, they feel physically bad for a few days until they get back to their usual diets.   [36:28] Once Holly learned about this theory and was making new contracts, she realized that there may be times when she might have to cancel and reschedule. When she sends an email about an engagement, she includes an article on the Spoon Theory and describes what she is struggling with, in case she has to reschedule.   [37:42] The Spoon Theory is a good way to describe to friends or family why the person with the chronic illness isn't hosting the holiday but may need to go to a room and rest at the host's home. It's a tool to inform loved ones and friends so they can be supportive. It's a different way to share our struggles with our chronic illness. [38:27] When Ryan meets people and tells them about his health issues, he might say he has food allergies but then also explain how his conditions lead to a limited supply of energy, and then tell about the Spoon Theory. It's a helpful tool we can all use, going forward.   [39:08] Our listeners can learn more about the Spoon Theory by going to Christine Miserandino's website, ButYouDontLookSick.com.    [39:47] To learn more about eosinophilic disorders, visit APFED.org. If you're looking for a specialist who treats eosinophilic disorders, use APFED's specialist finder at APFED.org/Specialist. [40:05] To connect with others impacted by eosinophilic diseases, please join APFED's online community on the Inspire Network at APFED.org/Connections.   [40:14] Ryan thanks Holly for sharing information about the Spoon Theory. It means a lot to Holly that we have a platform to reach a lot of people. Holly hopes if you are struggling with a chronic illness that you are not alone and you can use this tool to bring your loved ones and friends closer. Maybe weed out the people who aren't helping.   [41:15] Holly thanks APFED's education partners, AstraZeneca, Bristol Myers Squibb, GlaxoSmithKline, Sanofi, and Regeneron, linked below, for supporting this episode.   [41:26] Ryan shares how he just met his partner's friend and by discussing symptoms while picking a place to eat, it turns out she was diagnosed last year with EoE. It's unusual for him to meet people with EoE out there randomly. Ryan is glad to be creating this resource for people. Holly agrees 1,000%.   Mentioned in This Episode: Christine Miserandino ButYouDontLookSick.comAmerican Partnership for Eosinophilic Disorders (APFED) APFED on YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram Real Talk: Eosinophilic Diseases Podcast APFED.org/Specialist APFED.org/Connections   Education Partners: This episode of APFED's podcast is brought to you thanks to the support of AstraZeneca, Bristol Myers Squibb, GlaxoSmithKline, Sanofi, and Regeneron.   Tweetables:   “Approximately 10 years ago, fatigue became a real challenge for me and as I researched options on how to manage fatigue, I came across the spoon theory, which is what we're going to specifically discuss today.” — Holly Knotowicz   “[The Spoon Theory] is such an interesting story and it feels like such an easy way to convey what living with a chronic illness is like.” — Ryan Piansky “We all have people in our lives whom we love dearly, but they could maybe be taking too many of our spoons, so you have to be thoughtful about when you plan time with them.” — Holly Knotowicz  

Both Amberlyn and Ann have some experience living in areas with severe weather and they've both gone through prepping education. While Amberlyn is much more formal with military training, Ann didn't do too shabby using using resources found at the library. Now is a great time to be talking to your providers about getting a few extra days worth of medications in case of an emergency. Don't forget to have your shoes handy and ready to go. And remember that part of prepping is thinking about the worst case scenario. You don't need to plan every detail in the event of a death, but it's a good idea to share basic wishes with your loved ones. We're on YouTube too: https://www.youtube.com/@taleoftwozebrasAmberlyn aka Mrs. Labeezy's Amazon Must Haves includes some of Ann's loved items too:https://www.amazon.com/shop/mrs.labeezy/list/1U6RAYC0SJK4T?ref_=cm_sw_r_apin_aipsflist_aipsfmrs.labeezy_NQXZZ7SVJ2PSF3EZ700Y&language=en_USZebras are the rare type of spoonies often affiliated with the Ehlers-Danlos patients. Please check out the website: https://www.ehlers-danlos.comIf you'd like to be a guest, please reach out to Ann and Mrs. Labeezy at TaleofTwoZebras@gmail.comGiving credit where credit is due: Christine Miserandino revolutionized the chronic illness community by sharing her Spoon Theory with the world on her blog: https://butyoudontlooksick.com Because of her contribution, those suffering with chronic illness are often referred to as "Spoonies" and we often refer to energy stored and expended in units of spoons.

Yes, we're a few days late, but we discussed some "Good News" that was shared on Rare Disease Day, February 29th. We'd love to hear what you think.We also got a new mascot and are in the process of naming them. (We are all inclusive so our mascot uses they/them pronouns.) Listen in to find out who the mascot could possibly be. Big surprise: it's NOT A ZEBRA! We're on YouTube too: https://www.youtube.com/@taleoftwozebrasAmberlyn aka Mrs. Labeezy's Amazon Must Haves includes some of Ann's loved items too:https://www.amazon.com/shop/mrs.labeezy/list/1U6RAYC0SJK4T?ref_=cm_sw_r_apin_aipsflist_aipsfmrs.labeezy_NQXZZ7SVJ2PSF3EZ700Y&language=en_USZebras are the rare type of spoonies often affiliated with the Ehlers-Danlos patients. Please check out the website: https://www.ehlers-danlos.comIf you'd like to be a guest, please reach out to Ann and Mrs. Labeezy at TaleofTwoZebras@gmail.comGiving credit where credit is due: Christine Miserandino revolutionized the chronic illness community by sharing her Spoon Theory with the world on her blog: https://butyoudontlooksick.com Because of her contribution, those suffering with chronic illness are often referred to as "Spoonies" and we often refer to energy stored and expended in units of spoons.

Ann has experience having a service dog and Amberlyn wants to know more so why not have the discussion on the podcast, right?You may notice the new name: Tale of Two Zebras. Amberlyn aka Mrs. Labeezy and Ann aka Elder Zebra are making this thing official so you'll be noticing our efforts to make this brainchild a reality.  Like so many things involving chronic illness, it will take baby steps and time to fully reach 100% official status. Thank you for joining us on our journey. Glad you're here. We're on YouTube too: https://www.youtube.com/@taleoftwozebrasAmberlyn aka Mrs. Labeezy's Amazon Must Haves includes some of Ann's loved items too:https://www.amazon.com/shop/mrs.labeezy/list/1U6RAYC0SJK4T?ref_=cm_sw_r_apin_aipsflist_aipsfmrs.labeezy_NQXZZ7SVJ2PSF3EZ700Y&language=en_USZebras are the rare type of spoonies often affiliated with the Ehlers-Danlos patients. Please check out the website: https://www.ehlers-danlos.comIf you'd like to be a guest, please reach out to Ann and Mrs. Labeezy at TaleofTwoZebras@gmail.comGiving credit where credit is due: Christine Miserandino revolutionized the chronic illness community by sharing her Spoon Theory with the world on her blog: https://butyoudontlooksick.com Because of her contribution, those suffering with chronic illness are often referred to as "Spoonies" and we often refer to energy stored and expended in units of spoons.

Thank you to our special guest this episode. We had a lot of fun talking about POTS, living with chronic illness, and sharing stories. There were a lot of resources mentioned and I will be adding them to the episode description asap. TBH: It was much harder editing the recording than I expected. It is one thing to live with health challenges, it is another to listen to others validate the experience. Listening back to the recording I was moved to tears and I need some time to process my feelings before finishing all the notes and details for reference. Thank you for your patience and understanding.Very soon we will be doing an official intro to our "new" podcast: The Tale of Two Zebras. Amberlyn and I feel it is a better reflection of our podcast topics and discussions. We're on YouTube too: https://www.youtube.com/@taleoftwozebrasAmberlyn aka Mrs. Labeezy's Amazon Must Haves includes some of Ann's loved items too:https://www.amazon.com/shop/mrs.labeezy/list/1U6RAYC0SJK4T?ref_=cm_sw_r_apin_aipsflist_aipsfmrs.labeezy_NQXZZ7SVJ2PSF3EZ700Y&language=en_USZebras are the rare type of spoonies often affiliated with the Ehlers-Danlos patients. Please check out the website: https://www.ehlers-danlos.comIf you'd like to be a guest, please reach out to Ann and Mrs. Labeezy at TaleofTwoZebras@gmail.comGiving credit where credit is due: Christine Miserandino revolutionized the chronic illness community by sharing her Spoon Theory with the world on her blog: https://butyoudontlooksick.com Because of her contribution, those suffering with chronic illness are often referred to as "Spoonies" and we often refer to energy stored and expended in units of spoons.

Sleep is suppose to be restorative but for EDS Zebras, it is often every but restorative. Who knew there was an illness where sleeping can actually be painful? Pillows quickly become friends. There are also higher risks of serious issues and it is strongly recommended that sleep troubles be discussed with  medical professionals. We're on YouTube too: https://www.youtube.com/@taleoftwozebrasAmberlyn aka Mrs. Labeezy's Amazon Must Haves includes some of Ann's loved items too:https://www.amazon.com/shop/mrs.labeezy/list/1U6RAYC0SJK4T?ref_=cm_sw_r_apin_aipsflist_aipsfmrs.labeezy_NQXZZ7SVJ2PSF3EZ700Y&language=en_USZebras are the rare type of spoonies often affiliated with the Ehlers-Danlos patients. Please check out the website: https://www.ehlers-danlos.comIf you'd like to be a guest, please reach out to Ann and Mrs. Labeezy at TaleofTwoZebras@gmail.comGiving credit where credit is due: Christine Miserandino revolutionized the chronic illness community by sharing her Spoon Theory with the world on her blog: https://butyoudontlooksick.com Because of her contribution, those suffering with chronic illness are often referred to as "Spoonies" and we often refer to energy stored and expended in units of spoons.

Welcome and Thank you for joining us. We are not doctors and we do not give medical advice. We DO share our personal experiences good and bad and what has worked for us. With it being the month of February and Valentines Day in the week, Mrs. Lazbeezy and Ann decided to discuss friendships and the challenges presented by being a spoon.Here's a link to the reel that talked about 8 minute friends: https://www.instagram.com/reel/C3BM8ZkpMIG/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_linkWe gave a shout out to the our TikTok creator friend, eryykc, and his brilliant life hack to remember what he needs to bring with him for the day and how to make sure those items get home. Here's the link to hear his idea from the source: https://www.tiktok.com/@eryykc/video/7332858626647854379?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc&web_id=7173368752716793390Mrs. Labeezy highlighted a Zebra "must have": handwarmers that are rechargeable, don't burn, and are highly portable. Here's a link and she is eligible for commission if you use the link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CMQMYBK7?starsLeft=1&ref_=cm_sw_r_apin_dp_2DQG2WTP3K5B8D7V0KND&th=1 Giving credit where credit is due: Christine Miserandino revolutionized the chronic illness community by sharing her Spoon Theory with the world on her blog: https://butyoudontlooksick.com Because of her contribution, those suffering with chronic illness are often referred to as "Spoonies" and we often refer to energy stored and expended in units of spoons.Zebras are the rare type of spoonies often affiliated with the Ehlers-Danlos patients. Please check out the website: https://www.ehlers-danlos.comIf you'd like to be a guest, please reach out to Ann and Mrs. Labeezy at GotAnySpoons@gmail.com

Welcome and Thank you for joining us. We are not doctors and we do not give medical advice. We DO share our personal experiences good and bad and what has worked for us.Our main topic of discussion this week is mobility aids. It's a hot topic and often a rough one with generational challenges of who, when, & why people should use them.Trigger Warning: we do talk about depression and mention suicidal ideation along with giving specifics to our weight as it relates to some mobility aids.Please visit Mrs. Labeezy's Amazon Link to see our Zebra "Must Haves". She is eligible for a small commission if you purchase by following the link.https://www.amazon.com/shop/mrs.labeezy/list/1U6RAYC0SJK4T?ref_=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_aipsflist_aipsfmrs.labeezy_AQWPX1V8SSS04G2WRF8ALast week I mentioned the Body Braid and shared the video that helps me get the most support out of my braid. I forgot to share a link to purchase the Body Braid, so let me correct that here: https://bodybraid.com/pages/products Giving credit where credit is due: Christine Miserandino revolutionized the chronic illness community by sharing her Spoon Theory with the world on her blog: https://butyoudontlooksick.com Because of her contribution, those suffering with chronic illness are often referred to as "Spoonies" and we often refer to energy stored and expended in units of spoons.If you'd like to be a guest, please reach out to Ann at GotAnySpoons@gmail.com

Welcome and Thank you for joining us. We are not doctors and we do not give medical advice. We DO share our personal experiences good and bad and what has worked for us.The episode is a bit random and is a great example of our general randomness dealing with our chronic illness. I had never heard of the Ladle Theory so join in Amberlyn teaching me neat things. Please visit Mrs. Labeezy's Amazon Link to see our Zebra "Must Haves". She is eligible for a small commission if you purchase by following the link.https://www.amazon.com/shop/mrs.labeezy/list/1U6RAYC0SJK4T?ref_=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_aipsflist_aipsfmrs.labeezy_4QNC0KVCS7YE81PGMVVWI mentioned the Body Braid. You can find this product here.Here's the woman who's video who helps me every time I put mine on.https://youtu.be/_WzD6WJ6tQ8?si=jlo1rq_30lwUqGq5 Giving credit where credit is due: Christine Miserandino revolutionized the chronic illness community by sharing her Spoon Theory with the world on her blog: https://butyoudontlooksick.com Because of her contribution, those suffering with chronic illness are often referred to as "Spoonies" and we often refer to energy stored and expended in units of spoons.If you'd like to be a guest, please reach out to Ann at GotAnySpoons@gmail.com

The SPOON THEORY of chronic illness was created in 2003 by US writer and blogger CHRISTINE MISERANDINO. A metaphor to explain to a friend what life was like for her living with LUPUS. At a restaurant, she grabs some spoons and explains each spoon represents ENERGY. Living with a chronic illness we need to ration our spoons to manage daily tasks. Someone not living with a chronic illness has LIMITLESS SPOONS...unlike someone with a chronic illness. Jill explains the role of cortisol in the body and how all 30 trillion cells of the human body at any given moment are using cortisol and depleting our spoons. When someone with adrenal insufficiency runs OUT OF SPOONS...every cell in the body is struggling. LIVING WITH ADDISON'S BOOK https://www.chronicallyfitcanada.com/pages/online_store/productguide ADDISON'S SELF HELP GROUP UK https://www.addisonsdisease.org.uk/ WATCH and SUBSCRIBE on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/chronicallyfitcanada

Welcome Mrs. Labeezy and the New Year. Had some technical difficulties but we should be good to go both here and on YouTube. Mrs. Labeezy covers the Beighton Scoring System found on the EDS Society website here. We cover some other Zebra basics and have fun relating with our unique zebra experiences. Giving credit where credit is due: Christine Miserandino revolutionized the chronic illness community by sharing her Spoon Theory with the world on her blog: https://butyoudontlooksick.com Because of her contribution, those suffering with chronic illness are often referred to as "Spoonies" and we often refer to energy stored and expended in units of spoons.If you'd like to be a guest, please reach out to Ann at GotAnySpoons@gmail.com

To learn more about the origins of the opioid crisis, check out HBO- MAX: The Crime of the Century.You can learn more about Brent David Slone and his wife's fight for justice at https://youarewithinthenorms.com/2022/03/26/they-killed-my-husband-brent-david-slone-2016-cdc-opioid-guidelines%EF%BF%BC/If you want to read about the Elliots' tragic demise, visit https://www.cato.org/commentary/after-crackdown-pain-clinic-tragic-double-suicide Giving credit where credit is due: Christine Miserandino revolutionized the chronic illness community by sharing her Spoon Theory with the world on her blog: https://butyoudontlooksick.com Because of her contribution, those suffering with chronic illness are often referred to as "Spoonies" and we often refer to energy stored and expended in units of spoons.If you'd like to be a guest, please reach out to Ann at GotAnySpoons@gmail.com

Mrs. Labeezy and Ann discuss clothing options that have worked to support the bendy zebra bodies. Links to come so check back. Giving credit where credit is due: Christine Miserandino revolutionized the chronic illness community by sharing her Spoon Theory with the world on her blog: https://butyoudontlooksick.com Because of her contribution, those suffering with chronic illness are often referred to as "Spoonies" and we often refer to energy stored and expended in units of spoons.If you'd like to be a guest, please reach out to Ann at GotAnySpoons@gmail.com

I am so excited to have Mrs. Labeezy back on the show.  I will add links soon so please stop back by if you're looking for those. You can also find Mrs. Labeezy on the clock app.Here is Mrs. Labeezy's "Must Haves" on her Amazon storefront. Check it out:https://www.amazon.com/shop/mrs.labeezy/list/1U6RAYC0SJK4T?ref_=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_aipsflist_aipsfmrs.labeezy_A0TB8S5PEQ474SPJKQMH Giving credit where credit is due: Christine Miserandino revolutionized the chronic illness community by sharing her Spoon Theory with the world on her blog: https://butyoudontlooksick.com Because of her contribution, those suffering with chronic illness are often referred to as "Spoonies" and we often refer to energy stored and expended in units of spoons.If you'd like to be a guest, please reach out to Ann at GotAnySpoons@gmail.com

It can be a real challenge to stay warm for many who struggle with chronic illnesses and pain. I hope some of the ideas are helpful and would love to hear your best tips and trick to staying warm. Giving credit where credit is due: Christine Miserandino revolutionized the chronic illness community by sharing her Spoon Theory with the world on her blog: https://butyoudontlooksick.com Because of her contribution, those suffering with chronic illness are often referred to as "Spoonies" and we often refer to energy stored and expended in units of spoons.If you'd like to be a guest, please reach out to Ann at GotAnySpoons@gmail.com

It's the most challenging time of the year. I share some of my tips and tricks for the season and I share some brutal truths in my life right now. Giving credit where credit is due: Christine Miserandino revolutionized the chronic illness community by sharing her Spoon Theory with the world on her blog: https://butyoudontlooksick.com Because of her contribution, those suffering with chronic illness are often referred to as "Spoonies" and we often refer to energy stored and expended in units of spoons.If you'd like to be a guest, please reach out to Ann at GotAnySpoons@gmail.com

I am so excited to have Mrs. Labeezy on the podcast this week. We have big plans to continue working together in the new year.  Giving credit where credit is due: Christine Miserandino revolutionized the chronic illness community by sharing her Spoon Theory with the world on her blog: https://butyoudontlooksick.com Because of her contribution, those suffering with chronic illness are often referred to as "Spoonies" and we often refer to energy stored and expended in units of spoons.If you'd like to be a guest, please reach out to Ann at GotAnySpoons@gmail.com

Dr. Erin Nance has completed a series for the month of October where each day she covers a diagnosis that disproportionately affects women and is often missed or misdiagnosed as something else.On day 21, Dr. Nance covered MCAS - Mast Cell Activation Syndrome and mentioned its nasty sidekicks it is often with; Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome and POTS/Dsyautonomia.You can find more information about MCAS at GARD - Genetic and Rare Disease Information Center, along with NORD - the National Organization of Rare Diseases. Feel free to look up Ehlers-Danlos while on the sites as it is also classified as rare at this point.  Giving credit where credit is due: Christine Miserandino revolutionized the chronic illness community by sharing her Spoon Theory with the world on her blog: https://butyoudontlooksick.com Because of her contribution, those suffering with chronic illness are often referred to as "Spoonies" and we often refer to energy stored and expended in units of spoons.If you'd like to be a guest, please reach out to Ann at GotAnySpoons@gmail.com

Depression, I believe, is an unavoidable state for people with chronic illness and pain. It may not visit often or stick around long, but preparing for isn't a bad idea. Keep track of what works for you, note what works for others, and grow your toolbox.  Giving credit where credit is due: Christine Miserandino revolutionized the chronic illness community by sharing her Spoon Theory with the world on her blog: https://butyoudontlooksick.com Because of her contribution, those suffering with chronic illness are often referred to as "Spoonies" and we often refer to energy stored and expended in units of spoons.If you'd like to be a guest, please reach out to Ann at GotAnySpoons@gmail.com

There's a lot on my plate right now and things are stacking so I've been seeking ways to mitigate the heavy load when letting it go isn't an option.I address self-care and the challenges learning to love yourself can present if there's some conditioning to battle. Sarah Jarvis covers the Backdraft Effect in this article.Then I go into a discussion of a new trend called Glimmers. They are the opposite of triggers. Here's a brief bullet point I covered to better define a glimmer.I also share a well done (and free) resource on self-care through somatic movement. You can find the article here and it links to the YouTube videos that guide you through the practice.And lastly, I am reinstating the season and episode numbers. I'm not sure when I stopped that or why, but they're back. This is season 4 and great things are on the way. Giving credit where credit is due: Christine Miserandino revolutionized the chronic illness community by sharing her Spoon Theory with the world on her blog: https://butyoudontlooksick.com Because of her contribution, those suffering with chronic illness are often referred to as "Spoonies" and we often refer to energy stored and expended in units of spoons.If you'd like to be a guest, please reach out to Ann at GotAnySpoons@gmail.com

Y'all, I have so many thoughts on this subject. I literally recorded a full episode every day this week. I did research and wanted to offer something that would be helpful. In the end, the thing I find most helpful is the reason I started this podcast - knowing I'm not alone and spreading love.I know I sound rough and it's appropriate for the week that included two er visits, one complete with an ambulance ride, another funeral of a beloved person in our life, new physical therapy, and weather that challenges the best of them.Dear friend, you are not alone. Not in the darkest of times, ever. I will use a ladder and sit in the well if you need it. Promise me, we'll make a date to watch the sunrise.  Call or text 988 - https://988lifeline.org/ Giving credit where credit is due: Christine Miserandino revolutionized the chronic illness community by sharing her Spoon Theory with the world on her blog: https://butyoudontlooksick.com Because of her contribution, those suffering with chronic illness are often referred to as "Spoonies" and we often refer to energy stored and expended in units of spoons.If you'd like to be a guest, please reach out to Ann at GotAnySpoons@gmail.com

Food Allergies are hard at any time of year. And like with most other things, the holidays have a way of ramping up the stress to maximum amounts. I discuss ways to identify food sensitivities, hidden sources, and helpful products.1) The Teal Pumpkin Project2) Alpha-Gal Syndrome3) ALCAT Food Sensitivities Right now there's a great Groupon for a huge discount on this particular test4) Everlywell5) Nima Giving credit where credit is due: Christine Miserandino revolutionized the chronic illness community by sharing her Spoon Theory with the world on her blog: https://butyoudontlooksick.com Because of her contribution, those suffering with chronic illness are often referred to as "Spoonies" and we often refer to energy stored and expended in units of spoons.If you'd like to be a guest, please reach out to Ann at GotAnySpoons@gmail.com

Oh how I wish the holidays weren't all about food, but alas - they totally are. I cover some gifts for spoonies as well as some ways to bring back the art of conversation. Which I forgot to mention: Whenever someone asks me "What do you eat then?" I respond with, "My favorite conversation."It's okay not to attend some events. Do what is best for you. Giving credit where credit is due: Christine Miserandino revolutionized the chronic illness community by sharing her Spoon Theory with the world on her blog: https://butyoudontlooksick.com Because of her contribution, those suffering with chronic illness are often referred to as "Spoonies" and we often refer to energy stored and expended in units of spoons.If you'd like to be a guest, please reach out to Ann at GotAnySpoons@gmail.com

This time of year can be challenging for the healthiest of people. I offer some tips, tricks, life hacks, and paradigm shifts that I hope are helpful to my fellow spoonies. Also, so food for thought if you are trying to accommodate a special Spoonie in your life.Here are a couple of experience based gift lists:https://www.cosmopolitan.com/style-beauty/fashion/g34565548/best-experiences-to-gift/https://modernminimalism.com/best-experience-gifts-for-kids/https://www.washingtonpost.com/wellness/2022/12/01/gift-guide-disability-chronic-illness/ Giving credit where credit is due: Christine Miserandino revolutionized the chronic illness community by sharing her Spoon Theory with the world on her blog: https://butyoudontlooksick.com Because of her contribution, those suffering with chronic illness are often referred to as "Spoonies" and we often refer to energy stored and expended in units of spoons.If you'd like to be a guest, please reach out to Ann at GotAnySpoons@gmail.com

Losing people in the chronic illness community isn't a rare thing, sadly. The story of Stephanie Aston found here in the New Zealand Heard, is especially hard because doctors refused to treat her illness choosing to believe she was making it all up and making herself sick.Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome is so very tricky as it can, and often does, affect the entire body. It likes to jump around and keep everyone on their toes and guessing what body part will hurt most on any given day. It is a difficult beast to treat and there is no cure.I did promise a playlist and here's the link to various music that gets me going, keeps me going, and is not all inclusive.  Giving credit where credit is due: Christine Miserandino revolutionized the chronic illness community by sharing her Spoon Theory with the world on her blog: https://butyoudontlooksick.com Because of her contribution, those suffering with chronic illness are often referred to as "Spoonies" and we often refer to energy stored and expended in units of spoons.If you'd like to be a guest, please reach out to Ann at GotAnySpoons@gmail.com

I don't know too many people who have cruised through life without enduring a single trauma. For the chronic illness/pain world, there are usually multiple and they often have to do with the medical care/treatment they have received. As I am coming up on a big medical trauma anniversary, I would spare you the details and skip to the helpful parts: self care tips during a trauma flare.I did mention Allison Tennyson @microcatmachine on TikTok. She shares relatable content and a lot of wisdom. I recommend you check out her posts. Giving credit where credit is due: Christine Miserandino revolutionized the chronic illness community by sharing her Spoon Theory with the world on her blog: https://butyoudontlooksick.com Because of her contribution, those suffering with chronic illness are often referred to as "Spoonies" and we often refer to energy stored and expended in units of spoons.If you'd like to be a guest, please reach out to Ann at GotAnySpoons@gmail.com

We spoonies have a lot of experiences and going to the ER happens frequently. It can be fraught with triggers and I find it best to have a set of criteria to help make the decision on whether or not to go. I talk about my most recent ER visit and how knowing my body best came into play in a huge way and I hope it encourages others to advocate for themselves because we know our bodies best.I also shared a great quote from the TikTok creator Allison Tennyson:"Being chronically ill does not make you a burdenHaving chronic illness is a burden on you." Giving credit where credit is due: Christine Miserandino revolutionized the chronic illness community by sharing her Spoon Theory with the world on her blog: https://butyoudontlooksick.com Because of her contribution, those suffering with chronic illness are often referred to as "Spoonies" and we often refer to energy stored and expended in units of spoons.If you'd like to be a guest, please reach out to Ann at GotAnySpoons@gmail.com

I'm working hard to reduce my stress because stuff is heavy and I need to let it go. What are your tips for reducing stress? I'd love to hear them. Giving credit where credit is due: Christine Miserandino revolutionized the chronic illness community by sharing her Spoon Theory with the world on her blog: https://butyoudontlooksick.com Because of her contribution, those suffering with chronic illness are often referred to as "Spoonies" and we often refer to energy stored and expended in units of spoons.If you'd like to be a guest, please reach out to Ann at GotAnySpoons@gmail.com

Topeka City Manager Stephen Wade's battle with depression and mental illness came to a head in June when he attempted suicide. Wade was a "hometown" boy done good and was only about 10 months into his tenure as city manager. After being placed on indefinite leave with pay, he would be shockingly terminated for cause about a month later.    In the aftermath of his dismissal, Wade opted to courageously share his mental health struggles publicly by granting an interview with the Topeka Capital-Journal. After reading that article I contacted Stephen and invited him to be a guest on the show, which he graciously agreed to do.   This episode features a raw, intimate, and unfiltered look at mental health, suicide, and the extreme stress and pressures city managers must endure as they lead a city and attempt to keep multiple bosses (e.g., elected officials) and stakeholder groups happy.   SHOW NOTES: During the interview, Stephen cited two sources of help that may be of value to you. This includes: The Spoon Theory by Christine Miserandino, and Damon Parker and "The Jones Project"   SUPPORT THE PODCAST: If you like the show and enjoy the content, please take a moment to leave a rating AND a review on Apple or your preferred platform. It really does mean a lot to me and gives me a lot of motivation to continue producing content for the podcast. It is a lot of work and very time consuming.  Thank you!

It's a bouncing episode going from one thing to the next, not at joined, but sometimes that's life.I talked about questions to ask kids besides "how was school?" Here's the link to the Parent mag article I mentioned.I also mentioned How to Fall Out of Love Madly by Jana Casale. Here's a link to that book. Giving credit where credit is due: Christine Miserandino revolutionized the chronic illness community by sharing her Spoon Theory with the world on her blog: https://butyoudontlooksick.com Because of her contribution, those suffering with chronic illness are often referred to as "Spoonies" and we often refer to energy stored and expended in units of spoons.If you'd like to be a guest, please reach out to Ann at GotAnySpoons@gmail.com

https://swiy.co/WhatAreYourThoughtsWelcome to the Pediatric Meltdown podcast, where we delve into the challenges and triumphs of pediatric healthcare. Today, host Lia Gaggino has the pleasure of introducing her guest, (and self-proclaimed “superfan” of Pediatric Meltdown), Dr. Alisa Minkin, a trailblazing pediatrician and host of the JOWMA Podcast, a show dedicated to health education for the Orthodox Jewish community. In today's episode, Dr. Minkin shares her inspiring journey as a pediatrician and her unwavering commitment to mental health awareness. Drawing from her experiences as a parent to a child with special needs, as well as her advocacy for mental health screenings, Dr. Minkin's story is one of passion, resilience, and making a difference in the lives of children and families. Despite the barriers of time and limited resources, she has embraced telehealth as a double-edged sword and implemented crucial mental health screenings in her practice. Her desire to hear more voices of lived experiences, particularly from autistic and neurodivergent individuals and family partners, reminds us of the importance of inclusion and diverse perspectives in approaching pediatric care. Her journey serves as an inspiration for healthcare professionals and parents alike. With her passion and determination, she is indeed a true mental health warrior. So, grab your headphones and tune in to this episode – you don't want to miss this thought-provoking episode.The Spoons Theory: The spoon theory is a metaphor describing the amount of physical and/or mental energy that a person has available for daily activities and tasks, and how it can become limited. It was coined by writer and blogger Christine Miserandino in 2003 as a way to express how it felt to have lupus; explaining the viewpoint in a diner, she gave her friend a handful of spoons and described them as units of energy to be spent performing everyday actions, representing how chronic illness forced her to plan out days and actions in advance so as to not run out of energy.The metaphor has since been used to describe a wide range of disabilities, mental health issues, forms of marginalization, and other factors that might place an extra and often unseen burden on people living with them. From Spoon theory - Wikipedia[03:10 - 09:01] Barriers to meeting mental health needsLimited time for pediatricians to address mental health concerns during appointments.Lack of resources, especially for those who accept insurance or Medicaid.Challenges in finding qualified therapists and mental health resources.Disparities between Medicaid and private insurance coverage for mental health services.[09:02 - 14:24] Training Programs and Resources Case reviews and phone calls as part of the Reach programUtilizing Project Teach, a child psychiatry access programListening to podcasts, including the Joma and Pediatric Meltdown podcastsLearning from personal experiences and emotionally resonant stories[14:25 - 22:34] Personal Reflections and AdvocacyHighlighting the importance of suicide prevention and her sister's experience with it.Discussing the journey of implementing suicide prevention screening in her practice and allied supergroup.Expressing gratitude for the support received from experts in the field.Describing the introduction of combined ASQ Gad and PHQ screening tools in her practice.[22:35 - 32:47] The Importance of Advocacy and Creativity in...

it's been a hard summer and I've been in a depression. I talk about a little but try to focus on the path out and resources I've found. One of which is the Cleveland Clinic's National Consultation Service. Here's the link.We also attended the Oley Foundation conference. They have posted some of the main presentations and I encourage everyone to check out this amazing resource. Here's the link.I'm back and looking forward to sharing positive momentum.  Giving credit where credit is due: Christine Miserandino revolutionized the chronic illness community by sharing her Spoon Theory with the world on her blog: https://butyoudontlooksick.com Because of her contribution, those suffering with chronic illness are often referred to as "Spoonies" and we often refer to energy stored and expended in units of spoons.If you'd like to be a guest, please reach out to Ann at GotAnySpoons@gmail.com

There are some do's & don'ts with just about anything involving human interaction. Here are a few "best practices" I have implemented in my health journey and they might help others too. Giving credit where credit is due: Christine Miserandino revolutionized the chronic illness community by sharing her Spoon Theory with the world on her blog: https://butyoudontlooksick.com Because of her contribution, those suffering with chronic illness are often referred to as "Spoonies" and we often refer to energy stored and expended in units of spoons.If you'd like to be a guest, please reach out to Ann at GotAnySpoons@gmail.com

Brené Brown is a great researcher and author with a robust catalog of helpful material. I recently listed to her Audible "Men, Women, & Worthiness" You can follow the link, for which I receive compensation, and give it a listen. You will be happy you did.https://amzn.to/463rdrMThe young lady with a great theory is ChronicallyBee on TikTok. The clip that I referenced was created on 5/5. Here's a link Giving credit where credit is due: Christine Miserandino revolutionized the chronic illness community by sharing her Spoon Theory with the world on her blog: https://butyoudontlooksick.com Because of her contribution, those suffering with chronic illness are often referred to as "Spoonies" and we often refer to energy stored and expended in units of spoons.If you'd like to be a guest, please reach out to Ann at GotAnySpoons@gmail.com

It's one of those days. Concentration be difficult and the squirrels and bunnies are highly distracting. Have fun my wonderful listeners and enjoy the chaos if just for today.All the love and don't forget to email me for the giveaway:GotAnySpoons@gmail.com Giving credit where credit is due: Christine Miserandino revolutionized the chronic illness community by sharing her Spoon Theory with the world on her blog: https://butyoudontlooksick.com Because of her contribution, those suffering with chronic illness are often referred to as "Spoonies" and we often refer to energy stored and expended in units of spoons.If you'd like to be a guest, please reach out to Ann at GotAnySpoons@gmail.com

Giving credit where credit is due: Christine Miserandino revolutionized the chronic illness community by sharing her Spoon Theory with the world on her blog: https://butyoudontlooksick.com Because of her contribution, those suffering with chronic illness are often referred to as "Spoonies" and we often refer to energy stored and expended in units of spoons.If you'd like to be a guest, please reach out to Ann at GotAnySpoons@gmail.com

When chronic pain came knocking in my early 30s, little did I know that I'd be diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis and later, palmar plantar postulosis psoriasis. I felt lost and alone in my struggles, which is why I've made it my mission to be a support system for others going through similar experiences. In this heartfelt episode, I, Jen, share my personal journey and the challenges I faced, from dealing with brain fog to failed attempts at getting help from my doctor.But we're not alone in our battle with chronic illness! That's where Christine Miserandino's life-changing Spoon Theory comes in, helping us understand the physical, mental, and emotional fatigue faced by those with chronic illness. Together, we'll share stories, life hacks, and tips to make life as a Spoonie more manageable. If you're a fellow Spoonie Sister, I'd love to feature you on the podcast and have you connect with others over a cup of coffee or tea. Let's support each other in our shared experiences and thrive despite our chronic conditions. Support the showWebsite: https://myspooniesisters.com/Listen on Apple:https://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?id=1616598789Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2tM7PM5X64KIaMiqMYuS7q?si=5eb25f788ece472dSupport: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/MySpoonieSP

It's been a long time but I may finally have a doctor willing to work with me on a pain relief treatment plan. I am beyond excited and even a tad hopeful. Giving credit where credit is due: Christine Miserandino revolutionized the chronic illness community by sharing her Spoon Theory with the world on her blog: https://butyoudontlooksick.com Because of her contribution, those suffering with chronic illness are often referred to as "Spoonies" and we often refer to energy stored and expended in units of spoons.If you'd like to be a guest, please reach out to Ann at GotAnySpoons@gmail.com

One of the many things depression and other chronic or invisible illnesses steal from us, is our energy. In this 17-minute episode, we discuss Christine Miserandino's Spoon Theory as a way to both manage and explain our often-limited resources. The theory is a metaphor describing the amount of physical and/or mental energy that a person has available for daily activities and tasks, and how it can become limited. It offers a kind of shorthand for communicating why we need to make choices (i.e. cancelling plans, saying no to opportunities, etc.) The Spoon Theory can help with establishing boundaries and may even help you show yourself a bit more grace.

This week, Chris and Rachel forgo the normal interview format to discuss some of the many thoughts that Chris put together during his recent trip to Disney World, including the need for training Disney Castmembers about ablest language, the need for sensory safe experiences on loud rides, using google images to translate foreign languages, and more!   

If you have any of the so-called "invisible illnesses," you know that it's hard to explain to others how you must budget your energy for every day tasks and activities. Since having a stroke in November 2022, Ann has a new appreciation for the mental, physical, and spiritual drain daily life has on her stores of energy. In this episode, Ann and Jess explain "Spoon Theory" and how it relates to mental health, along with physical and spiritual health. Jess issues a challenge for listeners to replenish their "spoons" on a regular basis. Hear Ann tell about her stroke on Episode 68 of Soul Grit. Find out more about Christine Miserandino's Spoon Theory.Book mentioned: Common Prayer: A Liturgy for Ordinary Radicals Follow @soulgritresources on FB and IG and email your questions and comments to info@soulgritresources.com. Sign up at www.soulgritresources.com to be the first to know about new blogs, episodes, and more.

Jala is joined by Lance to discuss what disability is, how to talk about it, and ways to reduce your own personal ableism. Lance also tells his own personal journey before and after becoming disabled. Jala and Lance would both like to shout out to and thank Laura Stinson of Bad Attitudes podcast for her work. Check out Laura's podcast at badattitudespod.com (https://www.badattitudespod.com/), and check out her Etsy store FairyNerdy (https://www.etsy.com/shop/FairyNerdy) for handcut vinyl stickers, enamel pins, and graphic tees with original illustrated designs by her. Articles: * Disability and Health Overview (https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/disabilityandhealth/disability.html) * Four awkward things to avoid saying when you meet a disabled person (video) (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y90fEid9akg) * Disability etiquette (booklet) (https://www.unitedspinal.org/pdf/DisabilityEtiquette.pdf) * How to Spot & Avoid Casual Ableism When Speaking About Disabilities (https://www.rev.com/blog/speech-to-text-accessibility/avoid-ableism-speaking-about-disabilities) * The Spoon Theory by Christine Miserandino (https://butyoudontlooksick.com/articles/written-by-christine/the-spoon-theory/) Support this show via Ko-fi! Just like Patreon, there are subscription tiers (with bonus content!) in addition to the ability to drop us a one-time donation. Every little bit helps us put out better quality content and keep the lights on, and gets a shout out in a future episode. Check out ko-fi.com/fireheartmedia (https://ko-fi.com/fireheartmedia) for the details! Don't forget to rate & review us on your podcasting platform of choice~ Jala Prendes - @jalachan (https://twitter.com/jalachan) The Level (https://thelevelpodcast.com/hosts/jala) Lance, like many guests, may be found primarily on the Jala-chan's Place Discord. If interested in joining please shoot Jala a message on your platform of choice. Lance would like to signal boost the work of AbleGamers (https://ablegamers.org/), a non-profit combating social isolation through play. #SoEveryoneCanGame Special Guest: Lance.

On today's episode:• What does a depressive episode really feel like?• How MK & Jill try and jump start their moods • Christine Miserandino's spoon theory About Mary Katherine Backstrom:Mary Katherine Backstrom is an influencer and the bestselling author of Mom Babble, Holy Hot Mess: Finding God in the Details of this Weird and Wonderful Life and the upcoming Crazy Joy. She has been featured on The Today Show, CNN, and The New York Times — but her friends and family are most impressed with her one-time appearance on Ellen. MK resides in Alabama with her husband, children, two dogs, and a cat. Follow MK on Facebook.com/MKBackstrom Hear her on the Closer to Fine PodcastBuy her books: Mom BabbleHoly Hot Mess: Finding God in the Details of this Weird and Wonderful LifeCrazy Joy