Head Off Holiday Stress by Educating About Your Health Limitations

[mellowsong]

By Toni Bernhard, J.D.
14 November 2011

In the U.S., we're getting ready to celebrate Thanksgiving. Soon, people around the world will turn their attention to the holiday season. Chronic health problems can take a toll on relationships any time of the year. Most people have to experience unrelentling pain or illness themselves before they understand how debilitating it is, physically and mentally. Loved-ones (by whom I mean family and close friends) may be in some form of denial about what's happened to you, or they may be scared and worried about the future. Bottom line, suffering from a chronic condition can be an ongoing crisis—for you and for those you're close to.

Read more: http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/...lth-limitation

[Reesacat]

I am glad Ms. Bernhard included this bit:
"In the end, you may have to recognize that some loved-ones may never accept your limitations."

Everyone who is disabled runs into family members/close friends who never accept their limitations and it takes a long time to realize it is their problem, not yours.