Be kind

[DonnaBoll]

" Before you judge an older person for their limitations, reflect on the strength it takes for them to face these changes every day."

I read these words this morning on FB. I immediately thought of so many of us that face each day with the challenges that PBC presents. Maybe it's joint pain that going up those steps seems like climbing a mountain, maybe it's itching that you try to hide the scratch marks with your clothing, maybe it's the fatigue that you try to keep up with your friend's pace, maybe it's the brain fog that you can't quite keep up with the conversation ......

We don't have to be 'older' to have our own limitations. Any age that this disease strikes can make us aware of all we face. Never forget that you face each of these. and likely so many more challenges, every single day that no one ever knows about. We found strength we never knew we had, I bet.

Never underestimate what it takes for some of us to face the day right from the moment we wake up. We put on that "I'm good" face and march on. No group of men or women are more brave than those of us who have this disease that all so often keeps us from looking sick to others.

We face each day - and each challenge - with grace and determination. No disease is going to take this day from us unless it's our decision to let it. There are some days that we do nothing..... we recharge, we take care of ourselves, we leave the world for a brief time to let ourselves know that we are 'ok'. Be kind to yourself. You are living a life that few really see or experience. We all know what that feels and 'looks', don't we? Always be kind to yourself in knowing that the next day might be better....attitude is so much of what we face, isn't it? We matter enough to take care of ourselves when we need to. We are quite a group of wonderfully determined people to live our best lives!!!

[gwillistexas]

Thank you for that. I can’t remember any truer words being spoken. This should be an uplift to all ❤️

[DonnaBoll Administrator in reply to gwillistexas]

I felt, when I facilitated the group for The Liver Foundation and now for The PBC Foundation, that whomever did it had to have PBC. It's so important to really understand what the words 'itch' and 'fatigue' mean. They have a very different connotation to those who have the disease. Those two words certainly don't even begin to describe either one for many of us. The bravery of those who face those 'not so good' days is unparalleled. We never know when they will occur, but we meet them head on. We all 'get it', don't we?!

[butterflyEi]

Nicely said Donna.