Introduction
Where do you find the strength when life presents you with a major challenge?
My strength begins with the people I love. My two children are my greatest source of love and motivation. They continuously give me a reason to keep going, every single day. I want to be there for them, more than my life currently allows. I want to make beautiful memories with them and watch them grow up. Their love gives me strength.
My mother is my helping hand. She’s there for me whenever difficulties and challenges arise. Her support provides practical help and restores my confidence during my darkest times. She believes in me. With her support, I’m able to exercise several times a week and receive help in various areas of my everyday life. This helps me feel physically and mentally better. We have a very special bond.
The wonderful people around me, including my partner, are also incredibly important to me. I’m grateful for everyone who is there for me. I have learnt that you don’t have to carry a heavy load on your own. I believe that having people you can always rely on is something very special and should never be taken for granted.
My strength begins with the people I love. My two children are my greatest source of love and motivation. They continuously give me a reason to keep going, every single day. I want to be there for them, more than my life currently allows. I want to make beautiful memories with them and watch them grow up. Their love gives me strength.
My mother is my helping hand. She’s there for me whenever difficulties and challenges arise. Her support provides practical help and restores my confidence during my darkest times. She believes in me. With her support, I’m able to exercise several times a week and receive help in various areas of my everyday life. This helps me feel physically and mentally better. We have a very special bond.
The wonderful people around me, including my partner, are also incredibly important to me. I’m grateful for everyone who is there for me. I have learnt that you don’t have to carry a heavy load on your own. I believe that having people you can always rely on is something very special and should never be taken for granted.
Movement
Another important source of strength for me is physical movement. Exercise has been a regular part of my life for many years. I try to exercise roughly five times a week, doing fitness training, running and Pilates. Exercise is about much more than simply being physically active. It’s my way of staying physically and mentally strong. It energises my whole being and also keeps me disciplined and on track. The feeling it gives me reminds me of everything my body is still capable of.
Due to my AIH (autoimmune hepatitis), I experience rheumatic symptoms, among other things. My mornings can be the toughest part of my day. When I wake up at sunrise, I regularly experience pain and stiffness in my joints. That is exactly why I start moving early in the day. Once I start moving, I notice that the stiffness and pain decrease. My body gets into gear more easily.
I am incredibly consistent with this. Not because I feel motivated every day, but because I have learnt that motivation is not always necessary once something becomes part of who you are. Sometimes, you simply have to start. Even on the days when it is difficult.
Due to my AIH (autoimmune hepatitis), I experience rheumatic symptoms, among other things. My mornings can be the toughest part of my day. When I wake up at sunrise, I regularly experience pain and stiffness in my joints. That is exactly why I start moving early in the day. Once I start moving, I notice that the stiffness and pain decrease. My body gets into gear more easily.
I am incredibly consistent with this. Not because I feel motivated every day, but because I have learnt that motivation is not always necessary once something becomes part of who you are. Sometimes, you simply have to start. Even on the days when it is difficult.
More than my condition
My health condition has changed my life, but I refuse to let it define me. I have no control over the fact that I have AIH. I can’t control everything my body throws at me and what my future holds remains unknown. What I can control is how I deal with my situation.
I believe that my condition came into my life for a reason. This unpleasant reality might have landed on my path as part of a mission to share my story. Maybe I have to go through this painful process to eventually show people that, despite setbacks, you can continue to dream, stay active, grow and enjoy this precious life we’ve been given. Perhaps I can also motivate others to take good care of themselves and make the most of who they are.
I’m convinced that so much is possible when you learn to accept what you can’t change, continue to believe in yourself and refuse to let what happens limit you. None of us is one dimensional. A diagnosis is only one part of who you are. It doesn’t define who you are, what you are capable of, or which goals you can achieve. My condition is part of my story, but the last page of this chronicle has yet to be written.
I want to continue living a meaningful life. Finding a living donor in time is a high priority, but it is not my only goal. I would also like to motivate and inspire people to make the most of themselves, regardless of the challenges that come their way.
I believe that my condition came into my life for a reason. This unpleasant reality might have landed on my path as part of a mission to share my story. Maybe I have to go through this painful process to eventually show people that, despite setbacks, you can continue to dream, stay active, grow and enjoy this precious life we’ve been given. Perhaps I can also motivate others to take good care of themselves and make the most of who they are.
I’m convinced that so much is possible when you learn to accept what you can’t change, continue to believe in yourself and refuse to let what happens limit you. None of us is one dimensional. A diagnosis is only one part of who you are. It doesn’t define who you are, what you are capable of, or which goals you can achieve. My condition is part of my story, but the last page of this chronicle has yet to be written.
I want to continue living a meaningful life. Finding a living donor in time is a high priority, but it is not my only goal. I would also like to motivate and inspire people to make the most of themselves, regardless of the challenges that come their way.
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