Guest Post: YOU MATTER

Selena's note: There are some people who come into your life and you feel immediately drawn to them. Juliana is one of those people for me. She exudes warmth, vitality and love. When I heard about her project, Loving It All, I wanted to help. I offered Juliana the opportunity to guest post and share her passion with you.

YOU MATTER. You are an unrepeatable miracle. We need your piece of the puzzle to heal the world.

This is the message of Loving it All, the documentary movie I’m creating to share the story of my life post-diagnosis with life-threatening chronic illness. It is what I’ve learned in 15 years of living with lupus, fibromyalgia, IBS, scleroderma, and more. (Yes, there’s more!)

I heard the doctor outside my exam room telling his student that “we need to find out how fast it’s moving and how long she has.” At that point, my lungs—I suppose I should say “lung”—was working 38% as effectively as a normal person’s. And lung damage from scleroderma is reported to be irreversible.

I’m happy to report that the reports are wrong! My most recent Pulmonary Function Tests show my lungs functioning at 71%, which makes me able to get out of bed almost every day!

I want to share with everyone coping with chronic conditions-or facing adversity of any kind-the tools that helped me. The film’s purpose is manifold: to educate civilians about what life as a woman with chronic illness is like—how strong we are, how much we cope with, how civilians can be helpful to us; to inspire people facing adversity to create their own coping strategies that work especially for them because we all know there’s no such thing as one-size-fits-all; and to offer the coping strategies that worked for me in case there’s something in my story that will resonate with you.

Most importantly, I want you to know that YOU MATTER. When I had days weeks months years of feeling worthless and like I had nothing to give the world, I didn’t realize that just my presence, just my breathing and smiling, and just my love was enough— and more than enough. No one told me that I matter just because I’m me. I want to be sure to tell you.

So please watch and enjoy the video below. I’m especially fond of the part that compares us spoonies with Samuel L. Jackson. If you’re able to donate, please do. If I don’t raise the funds, the movie won’t happen, and the deadline is approaching.

I receive each $1 with immense gratitude. Without funding, this project will not happen.

If this project moves you but you’re not in a position to donate, please share it with your friends and friends you haven’t met yet! All together we can make a difference. WE MATTER.







PS Would you like the opportunity to guest post on Oh My Aches and Pains? Contact me with the details of what your would like to share with my readers.