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That’s What Friends Are For

by Danielle Maret on Flickr
by Danielle Maret

The past few days have been stressful for me; I’ve been fighting a psoriasis flare up and depression.  As Fashionably ill readers know, I have bipolar 2.  The depression has felt left me seeing and feeling grey even when some great things have happened like celebrating my Uncle Jun’s 71st birthday yesterday.  I am seeing my therapist tomorrow.  But two great things happened today.  First, I was a guest on HuffPost Live and I got to talk to music icon, Dionne Warwick! Second,  I got a card in the mail from my friend Amy.

Talking to Dionne Warwick

I was in great company; the other two guests who answered questions included an Editorial Assistant from Madam Noire (a website I follow) and a writer from Forward Times Newspaper.  The always fabulous Nancy Redd was the host who interviewed Dionne.  I asked Dionne two questions.  The second one was:  That’s What Friends Are For is one of my favorite songs from my childhood.  With the 25th anniversary coming up, would you consider re-recording it with Elton John, Gladys Knight, and Stevie Wonder?  Then, she gave a very thorough response.  First, she said she wouldn’t re-release it because it is still very popular and continues to raise money for AIDS charities and AMFAR.  Afterwards, she said she would think about re-recording it!  (Awesome!)  Dionne said she will ask “them,” them meaning Elton, Gladys, and Stevie.

Dionne’s newest album, “Feels So Good,” comes out next week.  Dionne has duets with a wide range of artists including Cyndi Lauper, Jamie Foxx, and Billy Ray Cyrus.

A Pleasant Surprise

I did accomplish some things today albeit at a slower pace than I would like.  I’ve been successful in my job-job (being a high school debate coach).  Juggling a job with five diseases (bipolar, polycystic ovarian syndrome, Myasthenia Gravis, asthma, psoriasis) , even when it’s part-time, is hard work.  With work, it’s hard to fulfill my other roles as a health activist including blogging.  This evening, I was struggling to get up.  I fought by praying putting on my Rocky boxing gloves, playing Eye of the Tiger, and listening to His Eye Is On The Sparrow.  Then, a card arrived in the mail from my friend Amy.  We became friends when we were in high school.  She now lives in another state and is a wife and mother to four children.  With our busy lives, we don’t get to talk as often as we’d like.   This is an excerpt from Amy’s uplifting card:

Remembering you in my prayers today…May I be able to comfort you with the comfort I have received from the Lord.  I was reflecting that God uses my mistakes, failures, and migraines to remind me of how much I am dependent upon Him for strength and howI need to credit Him for victory.  I also was praising God for being the “God of all comfort”…Remember you are remembered and loved.

I was reminded that I am not alone.  Little acts of kindness can make a world of difference to someone who is struggling.  Indeed, as Dionne, Elton, Gladys, and Stevie would say, that’s what friends are for:

–Your Stylist, Jessica Gimeno

Don’t Fight Alone!

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Until my next post, you can find me on Facebook.  Like Fashionably ill’s page https://www.facebook.com/fashionablyill.  Meet other readers who bravely battle a wide variety of illnesses.  Being sick is hard.  I wish that none of us would be forced to fight alone.

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You can also follow me on Twitter at https://twitter.com/JessicaGimeno

 

JessicaGimeno

Hi there! I am a patient advocate, writer, and public speaker most well known for my TEDx Talk, “How to Get Stuff Done When You Are Depressed.” As someone who is juggling 5 illnesses: bipolar 2, myasthenia gravis, endometriosis, psoriasis, and asthma, I’m passionate about helping people who navigate life with both chronic physical & emotional pain. If you’re interested in hiring me to speak at your event, check out the CONTACT tab.

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