| -- End Ad Box ---> | | | | Although research about spirituality in the context of |
| When I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in the | | | | disability is sparse, many thoughtful writers have |
| mid 1980's as a "diagnosis of exclusion" (see, my illness | | | | considered religion and spirituality to be crucial factors |
| had been mis-diagnosed for about 25 years prior to | | | | in adjustment to disability. BUT, we must be careful not |
| this initial "diagnosis") I became VERY angry with God. | | | | to "blame" God, as I did, or to say that my disability is |
| "Why me", I asked. Why did I have to be the one you | | | | "God's Will, or punishment for something that I did". |
| inflicted with this terrible disease? Why couldn't you let | | | | Saying these things isn't taking responsibility for our |
| the Doctors conclusively diagnose the condition? Why | | | | lives and figuring out how to live a better life by |
| did I have to keep pretending that the Doctors were | | | | managing symptoms. Instead, become reconnected |
| mistaken, just so that I could live my day-to-day life? | | | | with whatever spiritual process/religion that you find |
| I was asking the wrong question, you see. Instead of | | | | speaks to you, and live in the present with all of the |
| asking "Why me, God?", I should have been asking, | | | | gifts that you still have. Being affiliated with a specific |
| "Why NOT me, God?" See, I was trying to become | | | | religion can sometimes help those of us with disabilities |
| the "before the diagnosis" me, and I just could not do it. | | | | find comfort in times of isolation and despair. |
| So, I went into denial, and pretended that nothing was | | | | While little research has been conducted on the |
| wrong. And, as anyone who is disabled, or who is living | | | | influence of organized religion in the context of |
| with a chronic condition can tell you, living with a | | | | disability, studies on the general population have been |
| disability is hard enough without trying to become a | | | | positive. For example, a 28-year follow-up of |
| pale image of who one might have been without the | | | | thousands of people aged 18-65 years found that the |
| disability, i.e., trying to fit into a world designed by and | | | | individuals who attended at least weekly religious |
| for able-bodied individuals, most of whom are equally | | | | services had lower rates of depression, smoking, and |
| dispirited. It took me quite a while (about 10 years, | | | | alcohol use; they also tended to have greater social |
| actually) to come to the conclusion that I needed to | | | | support. Frequent attendees were more likely to have |
| stop being in denial; I needed to accept the condition, | | | | engaged in other healthy behaviors, including physical |
| learn how to manage symptoms, and get on with a | | | | exercise. The effect on survival was good after other |
| quality life. Indeed, I needed to ask, "Why not me God!" | | | | factors were taken into consideration - their risk of |
| For living in denial meant that the ILLNESS DEFINED | | | | death was reduced by 34%. |
| ME; I was very unhappy; I was seperated from my | | | | When disability is integrated as another dimension of |
| spirituality; I was alone; and, I contributed to disruptive | | | | living, spiritual growth can take place. Please reread this |
| events in my life. | | | | red phrase again. It talks about integrating a disability or |
| It may sound corney, but I used my illness/disability | | | | a chronic condition "as anothe dimension of living"! It |
| experience as an opportunity to get in touch with the | | | | means, taking back control of your life; actually "living" |
| needs of my "true self". That is, I decided to use this | | | | again, and managing symptoms as part of every day |
| opportunity to take back control over my life; to | | | | life! AND, believe me, this is not easy! If you have the |
| recommit to my spirituality; to discover and live a | | | | opportunity to acquire the Disabilitykey Workbook, you |
| quality life; and, to keep replenishing my "well" of | | | | will see that I use my actual condition as an example |
| personal happiness and satisfaction by reaching out to | | | | for others to follow. Whenever I have to focus on my |
| others in similar situations. I mean, who better to | | | | "Multiple Sclerosis Symptom Impairment Matrix", I get |
| discuss about living with a chronic illness than someone | | | | depressed all over again. My brother felt bad about |
| who does so on a daily basis, and not just some | | | | asking me about his "condition" because he felt that it |
| Researcher? Who better to create a Workbook | | | | was NOTHING compared to what I cope with (more |
| (found at to assist others obtain disability insurances to | | | | about his question in further blogs). BUT, I only |
| which they are entitled than someone who used the | | | | concentrate on the symptom process when I need to. |
| process herself, and not just a theoretical social | | | | Otherwise, I concentrate on symptom management, |
| services person? Who better to create a website and | | | | and on daily living as quality a life as I can. |
| an online blog where we of similar condition can chat | | | | Integrating experiences of disability allows a person |
| with, and learn about extending our quality of life than | | | | with a disability to recognize that suffering and hurtful |
| someone practicing each and every day? | | | | experiences are universal conditions. It can be a time |
| Does my spirituality help me in these endeavors? You | | | | for you to discover untapped resources; it can be a |
| bet it does! Spirituality is a quality that goes beyond | | | | time where you decide that you DO HAVE TIME TO |
| involvement in a religious organization. It is a more basic | | | | play with your grandchildren, or read that book you |
| construct. The highest level of our development is | | | | have been putting off, or research your grandparents |
| affected by our ability to appreciate the sacred in life; | | | | as they came to America long ago. |
| to live each day with purpose, and to find a sense of | | | | Spirituality is a way for people with disabilities to fulfill |
| meaning and purpose for our lives. Spirituality invites | | | | their potential and discover the possibilities while |
| each of us with disabilities and/or dealing with a chronic | | | | learning to live with and integrate their disability-related |
| condition to live fully and in the present - in REALITY, | | | | limitations and yet expand their boundaries to |
| the here and now. Not in denial, but in control of our | | | | experience the fullness of life. |
| lives, learning about, managing, and living each day in | | | | As part of my Internet research for this blog, I found |
| quality! | | | | the following website entitled "Faithability Religion, |
| Research suggests that people, and in particular | | | | Spirituality and Disability Resources". You can subscribe |
| persons with disability, depend on spirituality and religion | | | | to the site, for free, and receive (I think - I haven't |
| as an important, if not primary, method of coping with | | | | gotten anything yet) periodic information. The site |
| physical health problems and life stress. Most research, | | | | looked interesting, so here it is: |
| however, has addressed one's involvement in religion | | | | Once again, your comments, thoughts, and ideas on |
| rather than spirituality. | | | | this and other blogs are welcomed! |