Welcome to Spoony Stories ❤️🥄 There's no place like Spoony, that's for sure! We have the kindest community and it's been so much fun getting to know some of the wonderful people on Spoony and learning more about their experiences with neurodivergence, chronic illness and disability.
This week, we've been chatting with Rochelle from Australia. She opens up about what it's like to be manage multiple complex chronic health conditions, what she's been getting up to on Spoony, and much more! ♥️
Are you neurodivergent, chronically ill, and/or disabled?
Chronically ill, neurodivergent and disabled.
What health conditions do you have?
Autism, ADHD, Depression, Anxiety, Complex PTSD, IBS, Chronic Erosive Gastritis, GORD/GERD, Brittle Asthma, Limited Systemic Sclerosis, Spondylolisthesis, Adenomyosis
I also suspect that I have OCD and POTS.
How do you explain your health conditions to other people?
There's so much to tell that I find it hard for people to gain an understanding of the sheer scope of what I'm dealing with everyday. Being open about what I'm going through helps me because I have experienced a lot of disregard, devaluing, and cyclical reminders that I don't have it 'that bad' with my health, even though I'm struggling a lot.
What impact do your health conditions have on your daily life?
I am always exhausted, experiencing back and muscle pain and dealing with migraines. I find it extremely hard to manage living with Depression and Anxiety which disrupt my life daily and I have struggled with career growth, friendship, parenting and personal development because of these conditions.
What barriers have you experienced in making friends and connecting with people?
I've struggled with making and nurturing friendships since I was young because of Autism and Anxiety. I felt as though I was born without the 'human connection script' including how to initiate and maintain interpersonal relationships. I'm always on the outskirts, even though I'm extroverted and funny. I can never find my way 'in' with friendships, so I remain alone.
What's been your experience on Spoony so far?
I downloaded Spoony a while ago and it was so refreshing to see that other people understand what I'm going through which has made me feel less alone. When I'm on Spoony, I feel like I can unmask, take a deep breath and have a safe space to express myself. I also love listening to Spoony's podcast!
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