spoon theory: Someone posted this on facebook, it's... - NRAS

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spoon theory

su2po profile image
11 Replies

Someone posted this on facebook, it's about a woman living with Lupus but the idea makes perfect sense for any chronic illness. butyoudontlooksick.com/wpre...

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su2po
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11 Replies
Philip profile image
Philip

I think if was genuine the illness would be cured and put into the confines of history.$20 + seems a lot.

Worth reading though.

su2po profile image
su2po in reply to Philip

Are you saying if her illness was genuine it would be cured?

I didn't get the $20 part Philip? SuPo II don't have Facebook but I think the Spoon Theory is now common parlance for people suffering from any long term chronic condition. I can see that it may be helpful for those severe affected as a way of explaining how they feel. But, personally speaking, I prefer not to see myself as a victim of this disease so thankfully I don't need to rely on spoons to measure my daily output or to remind friends and family that I have RA.

Currently however I'm working on a big art commission and its taking a lot out of me so I've just clambered out of bed after a few hours afternoon sleep - the daily norm for me lately. And it is useful to tell myself that my spoons seem to be running out rather rapidly just now and remind myself to treat them each spoon with greater respect. Thanks!

su2po profile image
su2po in reply to

I don't see myself as a victim in any way shape or form, as you acn see by the work I do,but I do have a limited amount of energy and that is a difficult thing to explain to people who are well. This made sense to em so I thought I would share it, I don't see any victimisation in it.

Dotty7 profile image
Dotty7

It's a useful way of explaining that our energy is often finite. I'm not a victim either, but I do regularly have to remind myself that I must not let myself be flat out busy for every waking hour or I will crash and burn. I'm a fan - but have never given anyone twenty dollars!

su2po profile image
su2po

I don't know what the 20 dollars thing is ye are talking about I read the article that's all. if part of her thing was asking for money I didn't see it but you get the article for free so even if she is asking for money its sort of beside the point.

I wasn't thinking of you or anyone else as being a victim Su. What I was thinking is that I wouldn't use the spoon theory to explain my RA to others presently but I do use it for myself increasingly and its very helpful. I don't think victim was the right term -sorry- but I just meant that I'm not sick enough just now to need it myself. I also have issues with assuming that others are all well themselves but maybe that's about getting older. I mean if I'm not needing to explain that I have RA then whose to say that others around me are telling me what's ailing them either? But that's straying from your point -- and yes the spoon theory is clever. But I think it applies to many more people than just RAers. Tilda xx

su2po profile image
su2po

I am sick enough. I'm sick enough that I have to sacrifice a social life for the sake of my juggling so it's very helpful for me to have ways to explain that to people. I found it useful, if other people do then I'm glad I shared if other people don't then thats ok too.

SaraF profile image
SaraF

I feel the spoon theory is a great way for others to read as they seem to be able to understand from this alot better.

This is used very frequently by many and a great thing for people to be aware of should they wish to use it.

:)

Maybe its worth $20 to read the story of the inventor of the spoon theory then? I think it is a brilliant way of describing anything that cutails our energy levels myself - whether this is because of disease, pregnancy, having babies (let alone with RA) or getting older or just being a person who has low energy levels.

norfolkjo profile image
norfolkjo

I've only just seen this. Been diagnosed four months but prob had ra over ten years .. I love it .. Will explain it to my eleven year old to explain why I can't do everything he wants me to