6 Things to Do When a Friend Is Diagnosed

August 22, 2019 Louise Pearson

When we hear the words breast cancer or MS, brain tumour or melanoma, I think it's true they can strike fear into our hearts. When it's one of our nearest and dearest, the news can be crippling.

We are suddenly searching for the right words to say, wondering what it is going to mean for them and their once so easily imagined future, but also wondering what it's going to mean for us.

So, I wanted to share with you some tips for how to deal with a friend being diagnosed, that I have gleaned over my years of working in the chronic illness and disability arena.

Fun or Focus

July 7, 2019 Louise Pearson

Yesterday, I was sitting with a young client who finds it hard to get out of bed in the morning. She said to me "any excuse — it might be just that it's cold — and I'm back to bed… Life should be more than this!"

Now I know that for some people it's more of a problem than for others, and that there can be many reasons for feeling like this, but I'm sure it's a feeling that we can all relate to.