Chronic Illness Today - America's Dirty Little Secret.
It really shocks me, but the reality is that chronic illness has really become one of those dirty little secrets we are afraid to really discuss. Its new don’t ask, don’t tell. And when we do discuss it, it is almost always in the negative or with the focus being on the short-term acute conditions. I am not even going to discuss the amazing dearth of support resources to enable people living with chronic illnesses to become or remain active functional members of society.
Media coverage related to actually LIVING with a chronic illness often disgusts me. There are a plethora of examples out there, but here is a high profile one: Steve jobs decision to not discuss his health at different points with his employees, investors, etc and the uproar around his decision. I do not know about you, but I saw many articles on the ethics of this decision. However, there was little to no discussion of how much he has accomplished for Apple while battling a chronic illness.
What We Are Doing About It!
Therefore, today we will be starting something a bit different and exciting on the blog! No worries - the blog will continue as usual however we will be adding video! This will be a series of personal post from me, Stephanie Cion, the founder of WELLalarm. I will be extemporaneously discussing life as thirty-something female entrepreneur in NYC who happens to have a chronic illness. (Please keep in mind, I am a very shy and private person by nature, so to say this doesn't come naturally is a huge understatement!) Just to be clear, I will NOT just discuss my illness – because I am not defined by illness – not by a long shot.
However, as managing a chronic illness is part of my life (and the lives of 90 million other Americans) I think it is important to be open and honest about the good, the great, the bad and the ugly of what it means to be part of one third to one half of our population LIVING with a chronic illness because as far as I can surmise it is the only way to get people to appreciate the very real challenges many people face in our society.
So here goes nothing!
Stephanie's Story - Life and Entrepreneurship - with a Chronic Illness (CIDP). from Stephanie Cion on Vimeo.
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