Something Nubian

I was was hanging out with my babies and I over heard an interview on tv and someone said, “I am the ‘Chief Disabled Officer’ “, I thought to myself, [therefore] it is up to me to recognize fibromyalgia as a disability if no one else does.

I became a blogger and self-published author after being diagnosed with Fibromyalgia. I wasn’t sure who my audience would be (still not) but I knew that I was proud that I was a homeschool mom, had written a book and Fibromyalgia had not stopped me.

I did, however shorten my days at work and minimize my social activities. At first I thought it was school, but school was the vehicle the U-N-I-verse knew I needed to prepare for this journey, dealing with this dis-ease.

After completing my Associates degree in Business Administration, it was hard to go back to socializing the same with the same people, especially those who did not understand a single mother, working full-time, going to the gym and to school part time. It’s like they felt as though my weekends belonged to them! When all I wanted to do was clean, cook, study and prepare for the week ahead. I was thankful the gym was at work, else I would have never made it!

This made ‘me’ sort of an advocate for those who had questions

My social life wasn’t the only thing suffering, eventually, so did my attendance at work.

I started using FMLA so that I would not get fired for my excessive absenteeism 

The reason for being approved for FMLA was due to originally being placed on a prescription that had side effects that were not favorable and once I was released to return to work, FMLA was extended for an additional 3 years as fibromyalgia is intermittent in flares

Once the FMLA started, I was able to leave without having to return without a doctor’s note as long as my leave was fibromyalgia related in which the symptoms range from chronic headache and pain, sensitivity to light, sensory triggers, muscle and joint stiffness, muscle spasms, exhaustion, inability to concentrate, and IBS.

This made ‘me’ sort of an advocate for those who had questions about applying as I understood the wording on the documentation because it asked the same questions repeatedly rephrasing the terms

Eventually things didn’t line up, my papers were not signed in time and I was let go. My director did everything she could but my time there was exhausted and I was too exhausted to keep fighting with the doctor to sign my documentation faster. This all happened while I was pregnant with my son and soon after I was placed on bedrest

I still gave birth early and fibromyalgia is not accepted as a disability and still hasn’t been recognized by the government, my son being premature enabled him to receive SSI for 3 years.

During that time I learned a lot and even started self-publishing again. 

I still applied [for disability] after he was born and have been denied several times, even with an attorney present. This was devastating.

When I self published my book in 2016 on Lulu, I was in a manic state. I wrote and wrote, until my whole body felt like it needed to be in a cast. Once I was able to, I right back at it. while I was writing I was ok mentally but when I wasn’t, I was experiencing extreme depression and anxiety.

But I was determined to get published by my 40th Soular Return 

It was a gift to myself!

Unfortunately, I did not proofread, properly edit or complete the book before selling it and it is a book that almost destroyed my confidence in publishing anything else or taking the business of writing seriously.

Today, I use my skills and apply it to homeschooling

I teach my children that when you develop a skill this is something that can not be taken from you and can be used to start your own business and become self sustained.

Once you become trained in an area, helping those that are disenfranchised or monetizing it, is your choice, but do not allow your skills to go to waste if it can be used as a benefit in the form of a “need”.

I started teaching them about self-publishing because no matter what we need books, whether to read, take notes or to journal, books are needed and self-publishing is key!

I am the Chief Disabled Officer

Creative

You are able to be as creative as you like, as long as no one is getting hurt. Only you can fire YOU! With certain limitations, especially with this cancel culture!

As a I am new to this crafting world, I have finally found things that I love to do, creating my own journals and planners have lifted my spirits tremendously and creating them for everyone in my house has been a great asset in many ways.

And that is why it is so uplifting because when I am feeling low, I just create to make someone smile and because they are able to smile, I can smile, inside and out.

Daily experience

My daily practice is to write at least 500 words (somewhere, somehow) to gain more experience writing and to keep busy crafting. It helps to build confidence as well and is more than a coping mechanism but a way of life. Writing as well as crafting gives me a different type of freedom from society and fibromyalgia. It allows me to work from home while doing what I love. I work at my own pace and sign up for classes to learn more when needed.

Skills

Having a set of skills takes away from dealing being told no, even in making sells because the yeses allows me be thankful and grateful, inspiring and inspired.  

I only hope that if my children do not become writers, my teachings and ways I have persevered with a disability will provide them with a work ethic that will carry them into a wealth of knowledge, wisdom and overstanding.

Maat/Chakra Shower Curtain

#culture #writing #Homeschool #Learning #focus #Experience Education Fibromyalgia #Science #empath