Living With An Illness Lifebabble

Hey, Lifebabblers.

Today we're talking about what it means, and how it feels,

to live with an illness or condition.

So let's hear from our Lifebabblers.

There are lots of types of illnesses or conditions.

Some can affect you physically, mentally, and some both.

Some you can see and others you can't see.

Sometimes they don't affect your daily life -

and other times they impact what you can and can't do.

You may recover really quickly,

or it might take you a little bit longer.

Some you live with your whole life.

And some may shorten your life.

It's normal for people to experience different emotions.

You might feel angry and frustrated.

Confused and overwhelmed.

Sad, worried and low.

Helpless that there's nothing you can do.

You might feel jealous of those who AREN'T ill.

You might feel positive, hopeful - and not let it get to you.

You might not feel any different. It's just who you are.

There's no right or wrong way to feel. Everyone's different.

PHONE RINGS

My nana had breast cancer. When I first heard the news, I was upset.

I made up a scenario in my mind,

where there was a green blob of slime.

It was fighting my nana, but my nana was winning.

It was hard when my nana's hair fell out.

But now it's grown back

and it looks amazing.

My mum has MS, or multiple sclerosis.

She does get help and I help as much as possible too.

Sometimes I make a cup of tea in the mornings,

or I hold her hand to get up and down the stairs.

I don't usually get that ill - touch wood - but when I do,

it means that I need two or three days of just

relaxing and resting and eating properly.

I have a condition called hyperthyroidism.

It's actually very common,

but in the beginning, it was really difficult for me to deal with

because I would cry all the time and I had no idea why.

I did speak to someone and I went to the doctor.

They really helped me to manage it.

I've experienced anxiety and severe panic attacks

from around the age of 14.

For so many years I felt incredibly alone,

because I didn't talk to anyone about it.

Please, always talk to someone.

It's important to acknowledge, take control

and talk about your feelings -

whether it's with a friend, family member,

doctor, or somebody else in the same situation.

It's good to find out and ask questions.

The more you know, the better prepared you are to adjust and cope,

or to understand how somebody else is feeling.

PHONE RINGS

I have a condition that affects my diet

and that means I can't have gluten.

And if I have gluten, I swell up like a massive pufferfish.

I make sure it doesn't affect my life too much,

because you can make cakes and bread with gluten-free flour.

Living with an illness or a condition

should not be a label that defines anyone.

Life is about so many other things too.

Like relationships and experiences with family and friends,

happy memories that make us smile.

So focus on the positives of what you CAN do

and what you can share with someone.

# Keep on talking about how you feel

# Maybe have your favourite meal

# Surround yourself with the happiest things you can find

# Cos even when there's clouds in the sky

# Beautiful things can grow

# So keep looking for that rainbow. #

For more information about help and support available,

go to the CBBC website.

See you next time!