Spoonie Spotlight: Sarah

Happy Sunday and welcome to this week’s Spoonie Spotlight. Today I’m featuring Sarah! Spoonie Spotlight is my way to use my platform to share the stories of others living with arthritis or an arthritis-related condition. The point is to share the realities of living with arthritis and to make others’ voices heard. (New posts every 2 weeks.) If you would like to participate, fill out the form!

What’s your diagnosis?

Fibromyalgia

When were you diagnosed?

2011

How long have you had symptoms?

Six years

Have you been limited in any way from your illness? If so, how?

My work and my social life have changed, and I struggle to do many jobs around the house.

What’s your story?

I suffered from migraine and anxiety a lot as a child, but when I was 24 I started developing a myriad of physical pains all over my body. I had to quit my job after so much time off sick and was eventually diagnosed with Fibromyalgia.

In 2012 I started my blog, A Life Less Physical, as a way of finding new hobbies and fun things to do that fit in with my heath and mobility issues. It keeps me positive and focused on the things I can do, rather than the things I can’t.

How has your illness changed your life?

It was really tough at first. It’s changed the type of work I do, the jobs I apply for and the energy I have for my life outside of work. It’s also changed the kind of things I can do to socialise. No more long country walks…

What are your goals for the future? (Not related to your health)

To grow my blog and (hopefully) attract a wider audience. Although my blog was born from a health issue, it has become a lifestlye blog with recipes, fashion, hobbies and DIY.

My goal is to find my ‘voice’ in the bloggersphere and create a clear identity.

What are your goals for the future? (Health related)

To completely respect my condition and listen to my body, slowing down and enjoying a good rest instead of becoming frustrated by pains or lack of energy. (That’s a big goal, right?!)

Also, to talk more openly about it and encourage people to understand what it means to have Fibromyalgia.

Do you consider yourself handicapped or disabled? Why or why not?

Aaagghh! The killer question! Depends what day you catch me but, no, not today. I am definitely less-abled or have restricted-mobility but on a good day I am not disabled. There’s no consistency which makes the question so difficult!

What would you like readers to take from your experience?

I would love them to take something positive away. I do address the challenging side of things in my blog, but I am out and about doing what I can and I would hope to inspire one or two people to get out and try something new.

You’ve still got to live your life, it’s just a life less physical! 🙂

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