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Clearing The Fog

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by Tanya Ray

September 2024

Chronic Pain & Its Challenges

Living with chronic pain can profoundly impact every aspect of a person’s life, not just physically but emotionally as well. Having experienced these challenges myself, I understand the  . . . . . . . . more

Chronic Pain & It's Challenges

August 2024

Empowering Myself: Navigating Health Challenges & Seeking Workplace Accommodations

As I reflect on how much my life has changed since my body started failing me, I used to take pride in my ability to push myself to achieve goals. . . .more




Chronic Pain and Its Challenges

September 2024

Living with chronic pain can profoundly impact every aspect of a person’s life, not just physically but emotionally as well. Having experienced these challenges myself, I understand the overwhelming feelings of isolation and frustration that chronic pain can bring. It is more than just physical discomfort; it affects your emotional well-being and can lead to worries about how it affects your family, your relationships, your independence, and financial stability.

your worth is not defined by your pain

The daily struggles of chronic pain can lead you to feel like a burden, especially when each new treatment or therapy brings its own set of problems. The loss of independence and the inability to do things you once enjoyed can intensify feelings of hopelessness and depression. However, it is essential to remember that you are not alone in this journey. Millions of people face similar battles, and your worth is not defined by your pain. 

Self-care becomes crucial when managing chronic pain. It’s easy to become overwhelmed by pain management alone but nurturing your mental and emotional health is just as important. Practices like mindfulness meditation, deep breathing exercises, and engaging in activities that bring you joy can offer relief. Seeking support from a counsellor or psychologist can also be instrumental in addressing the emotional challenges that inevitably go with chronic pain.  

Connecting with others who understand your experience can be incredibly supportive. Whether through support groups or trusted friends and family, sharing your feelings and receiving support can make a significant difference. Remember, you are not defined by your pain. While it affects your life, it does not decide who you are. Whilst incredibly difficult it is important to 

stop focusing on who you were before without pain and work on focusing on the aspects of life that bring you joy, no matter how small they may seem. Engaging in counselling can help you work through your grief of the person you once were whilst working towards accepting and loving the person you are. 

Recent research highlights how stigma can affect people with chronic pain, often leading to feelings of being a burden. Misconceptions and judgments about pain management, mental health, or opioid use can also worsen these feelings and increase isolation. Addressing both self-stigma and societal judgments is crucial. 

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is a valuable approach in managing chronic pain. It helps individuals accept their pain and focus on living a meaningful life despite it. ACT encourages you to engage in activities that align with your values, helping build resilience and improve your overall well-being. 

If you’re navigating chronic pain, know that support and understanding are available. With the right tools and a compassionate approach, you can work towards a fulfilling life despite the challenges. 

Written by Tanya Ray

Empowering Myself:  Navigating Health Challenges & Seeking Workplace Accommodations

August 2024

As I reflect on how much my life has changed since my body started failing me, I used to take pride in my ability to push myself to achieve goals. However, as my health deteriorated and the pain become constant, that pressure negatively impacted various aspects of my life, making me question my choices. I felt like I was struggling at everything - work, university, being a mother, wife, and friend. It was frustrating to apologise repeatedly for not working overtime or cancelling on friends and saying no to my kids.

The stress, fatigue, pain, and feeling like a failure started to outweigh the benefits of working. It wasn't just the pain; it was also the brain fog and the 

lots of therapy with a very empathetic therapist that understood chronic pain helped!

struggle to concentrate on complex tasks. I used to be great at problem-solving, but now it was a struggle. In my most recent job, everything about it triggered my 'brain fog,' and I couldn’t switch between tasks as effectively as I needed to. Accepting my limitations and not being too hard on myself was a challenge. Lots of therapy with a very empathetic therapist that understood chronic pain helped me achieve this! 

I decided to stand up for myself and asked for reasonable accommodations at work. I didn't want to feel guilty anymore, hearing that it's unfair to others. I reached out to HR to negotiate better work conditions, recognising that it's okay to need accommodations to perform at my best. I can still contribute, even with fewer hours and distractions. I'm worthy of dignity in the workplace,

 and if I can't attain that, I may have to consider resignation. I'm tired of the constant struggle, and while my disability is invisible, I am not.

Though asking for accommodations was difficult, it turned out to be the best decision. It allowed me to focus on my work without guilt or reminders of my limitations. It's perfectly fine to ask for help and acknowledge our limitations. We're all human, facing struggles, but we can achieve great things when we accept help.

To those facing similar challenges, remember that you're not alone. Asking for help and setting boundaries is acceptable. You deserve respect and are capable of achieving remarkable things. Never give up on yourself, and always fight for what you deserve.

Written by Tanya Ray