Summary

Audience
Long term ill people
Their beloved ones
Caregivers
Professionals
No manual
Food for thought
Whom did I wrote this for?
Anyone long term ill, or physically challenged
This website is meant to be read by any long term ill person, anyone more or less physically challenged or anyone newly confronted or diagnosed with a chronic condition.
Anyone like that sails the same boat as me (as we say in Dutch). That is to say, you may experience the same feelings and hopes and fears as I do. Sometimes you feel captain of a large three master and sometimes you feel you have to row your own boat ashore and its way too far.
Sometimes you feel like the first officer, sometimes you feel like the lowest hand on deck, a single sailor around the world or even a non-paying passenger.
Beloved ones
Second, for family and friends. They carry the weight of the disease of their beloved one as well. And it isn’t easy, to do the right thing. How to be supportive, yet not overly concerned. Helping but not taking control away. To stay close, keep in touch, isn’t easy to do.
And at times you do not want to be close, you wish you could leave. Sometimes you may even wonder whether you still have a life of your own.
Caregivers
Third, it may be of interest to people who care: personally or professionally: caregivers and doctors and nurses etc. Maybe even a highly motivated student ?
What do I write? What to expect?
I don’t provide recipes or manuals on what to do. These pages are just some thoughts to consideror discuss together. Written for you to do so, I hope you will.
You don’t have to agree with me.
Maybe I even hope you don’t. But talk about it when you can, I believe in the power of good communication..
I translated my own Dutch site into English.
I apologize for any strange language phrases or typically European expressions. Thanks if you wish to comment. Please use the guestbook.
>>Also check Yours truly<<<>

Personal website
Since November 2003
Last edited: 12-2005

About being ill: Your disease in charge?|
Juggling a backpack |
Support by poem |

On dealing with others: Dealing with responses|
Don't tell me... |
To be helped or not? |
Do you help? |
Going out? |

Partner, friends: Live life together |
Do you help? |
Going out? |

About this website: Start here |
To whom...?|
Yours truly|
Guestbook|
Links|

Chronic Disease and every day life
Personal website at http://www.xs4all.nl/~nvwagen/english/
Feel free to copy for personal use. To publish in any form please contact me.
I do not advise in any medical matter. Please use statements, ideas, remarks to discuss or consider.