I’ve mentioned before that I was on a hiatus of
sorts from my illness. I found myself spending an inordinate amount of time
dwelling on my vital signs, symptoms, research, trying to find new doctors and
on and on and on. For me it was quite literally sucking the life right out of
me. During this time, when I was realizing that certainly there has to be
something out there that is positive; I ran across a Facebook group called
POTSY Paradise. It began as a group for those with Dysautonomia, but has since
blossomed into a group for those with chronic illness.
Check it out: https://www.facebook.com/groups/potsyparadise/
“POTSY Paradise is a place where those with a
form of Dysautonomia, and related conditions, can come together to talk about
their interests, dreams, hopes, lives. While we have Dysautonomia, or take care
of someone who does, we rarely talk about it here. In Paradise, we are more
than our illness. We are a group of people, who share a unique bond--one
founded in illness, but kept together
through friendships that form by sharing more about ourselves. All that is said
in POTSY Paradise, respectfully stays in POTSY Paradise. This is our GETAWAY
from our illness, a place we can talk and be us, not our illness. Welcome, my
friends, to POTSY Paradise.”
POTSY Paradise is now one of my “go-to” sites.
There, I’m able to share in life outside my illness. I’m able to share about
small victories, my pets, my family, my newly found artistic side. Through this
site, not only do I feel free to share about my life, but am truly blessed to
share in others’ lives as well. POTSY Paradise is truly an uplifting,
encouraging blessing that I am so thankful to have happened upon. Truth be
told, I really don’t believe that I just “happened” upon it. I believe I was lead
to it, and for that I am surely thankful.
Recently an article was published in “The Lima
News” (Ohio) about the site and its administrator’s story (Linda Burgess
Parsons). It’s a great article and I’m so glad to see that word about this
disorder is getting out there.
Check out the article here: http://www.limaohio.com/news/news_lifestyles/468535/Just-another-day-in-paradise
So…a huge thank you and the richest of blessings to
POTSY Paradise for a lovely respite from this disorder.
I'm so glad you shared this! I have been shying away from online dysautonomia groups because many people use them just to complain. I totally support venting, but I also don't want to be constantly reminded of how much being ill sucks. A place where people can share their interests outside of their illness sounds wonderful!
ReplyDeleteRight there with ya' Lindsay!! I'd been in a rut for a while, thus the hiatus from the blog. I was just so tired of being ill and reading about it and talking about it and writing about it and on and on and on. I came upon this group and it's been awesome!! I give all props to Linda Burgess Parsons (the admin) :) It's a wonderful site to go to when you need a reprieve from all things suckish! No one (that I've seen anyway) complains. The group is all about our lives without illness. I'm so glad I found it. Love it to pieces!! Check it out :) Richest blessings to you!!
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