Help!
So, you are a kid with a chronic illness. I wonder how you feel about that? Sometimes
kids feel angry, sad or upset that they have an illness that makes them do things
so
differently. Other kids tell us that they just get used to the illness, and realize
that it does not change how they do most things. Here are a couple of ideas of things
you can do to help yourself deal with your chronic illness.
1. Draw a picture of your illness
You may have lupus, arthritis, cancer, asthma, diabetes, epilepsy, sickle cell anemia
or some other chronic illness. Close your eyes and try to picture what your illness
would look like if it were a thing. Now, draw a picture of that. Use the colors
that you see when you picture your illness.
Send your pictures to
Kathy Davis, MSEd, PhD
KUMC
3901 Rainbow Blvd. MS4003
Kansas City, KS 66160
We will put your picture on the website! Don't forget to include your name and the name of your illness.
2. Make a list of all of the things that make you who you are
See how long the list becomes when you start listing everything that makes you YOU!!
List all of the things you like to do; the things you do well; the descriptions
of your eyes, hair, smile, etc.; things about you that make you proud; things that
you would like to change; everything and anything that you can think of. Now, look
at where you listed your illness. I bet it was not at the top of the list. That
is because you are a whole lot more than your illness. It is only a little part
of what makes you YOU!
3.
Helping each other
Maybe you are
a kid who has had a chronic illness for a long time, or maybe you have just recently
learned that you have a chronic illness. Either way, you are probably learning a
lot of new stuff about living with a chronic illness, how to take care of yourself,
how to teach others about your illness and much, much more. How would you like to
help other kids who have the same or similar illnesses?
a. Write a story
Write a story about your experience with a chronic illness. Include as many details
as you can about being diagnosed, your treatment, how to survive life in the hospital,
what friends and family do that helps, and any thing else you can think of that
might help another kid going through a similar experience. Then,
e-mail me your story
and we will put it on the website! Don't forget to put your name and age on it.
I can't wait to read your story!
b. Make a List
When you go back
to school with a chronic illness, everyone is happy to see you and eager to help
you out. Some of that help is great, but some may be more than you want. Make a list
of the things that kids, teachers, family members and others did for you that was
particularly helpful. Then, make a list of the things that you wish they had NOT
done!
Send me the lists, and you will see them on the website. Also,
you will be teaching lots of people how to help their friends who have a chronic illness. Don't worry, we won't put your name on it, so you won't be embarrassed.
For more information, please contact:
Kathy Davis, MSEd, PhD
kdavis2@kumc.edu
(913) 588-6305