Emotional Support Sisters

This is a short post of gratitude.

There have been times in my life when I have not been capable of advocating for myself. When I was first diagnosed with depression, it was because my parents recognized something was wrong and brought it to the attention of my pediatrician. As a teenager, they drove me to and from therapy appointments, accompanied me in visits to my doctors, and helped me manage my medications. My parents were my first mental health councilors and gave me a foundation of skills from which I built upon. Even as an adult, they continue to be by my side and advocate for me when depression has me convinced that there is no hope and no help.

Some of our readers are people who struggle with chronic illness themselves, and some are parents or other loved ones of those struggling with chronic illness. To the first group I say: Do not isolate yourself from people who love you. Do not foolishly believe that you have to do all of this on your own. To the latter group I say: Thank you. Your efforts are not unnoticed and they can be the boost necessary for successfully thriving despite a chronic illness.