Here is our newest guest for Interview October – Michaelann Dahlman
Introduce yourself and tell us a bit about you…
I’m 57, I’ve been disabled since I was 18, I was also a housewife/mother, nest now empty. I am a writer, & a photographer.
Chronic illness(es)/disabilities I have…
Arthritis, chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, and a mild Traumatic Brain Injury
My symptoms/condition began…
I was diagnosed with arthritis when I was 18 (1979), chronic fatigue when I was 29 (early 1991), fibromyalgia in 1995 & the traumatic brain injury is from a car accident in 2007
My diagnosis process was…
I went to the Pine clinic in Kitsilano when I was 18, they referred me to Dr. Art Hister, he diagnosed me with arthritis. I was diagnosed with chronic fatigue in 1995, by my then Dr. She referred me to a rheumatologist who diagnosed me with fibro, in 1995. I was diagnosed with the traumatic brain injury in 2008, after I requested a referral to a neurologist.
The hardest part of living with my illness/disabilities is…
Dealing with all my limitations is frustrating & also being in so much pain.
A typical day for me involves…
I wake up, take my medication & go back to bed for at least 1/2 an hour. I don’t go out much anymore, as walking is a huge problem & since I am not on full disability yet, I don’t have a bus pass. I try & do housework & dishes, as energy & pain allows. Luckily I live in a seniors (55+) building, so I have some light housekeeping every 2 weeks.
The one thing I cannot live without is…
Since they don’t want to give me stronger painkillers, I’d have to say my medical marijuana.Second would be the internet, I use it to watch TV since I don’t have cable. And I have a VOIP phone, as well.
Being ill/disabled has taught me…
Be kind. Everyone is fighting a battle that no one else knows about.
What advice would I give someone recently diagnosed…
Learn all you can, be your own advocate & never hesitate to ask for a 2nd opinion, everybody makes mistakes. Don’t hesitate to ask for help when you need it.
My support system is…
My husband. My mom & my brother. And the friends I have made online.
If I had one day symptom/disability-free I would…
Jump my husband & go white water rafting.
One positive of having a chronic illness/disability is…
Since we are both disabled, my husband & I get to spend a lot of time together, which is wonderful.
My links are:
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