my illnesses are a part of me,
ok they limit the life I can lead and have significantly influenced the changes I have made to my life plan, but I am ultimitely the one who makes the decisions and I do so based on my ability to do things, my energy level and whether the thing is imperitive or a want to do, just the same as most people i suppose. Only difference is i always have to plan a contingency also just incase my body decides not to play ball!
I will never let my illness be the only part of my life i focus on, it is just something i have to consider in my decision making process. just because i have illnesses does not mean my asperations, desires or values have vanished, they are still there, only now on a slightly different tack.
my illnesses have actually made me a much more understanding person, before i had no time to get to know or understand the real difficulties that people suffering mental or physical difficulties has, now i totally understand and have much more time for people in this sector of society.