| Comments and Stories from Previous Participants |
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Our CEART PatientWise courses have been running now since 2007. Many previous participants are passionate in sharing how the experience of the self-management course has changed their lives and that of their families and carers.
We are grateful to those who have generously - and enthusiastically - agreed to share their stories with others. Some of theses stories we bring you here. |
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Carla's Reflections: How the PatientWise Self-Management Course Changed the Life of A Lady with a Seventeen Year Illness
- click here for more. |
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Margaret's Story: "As I paid down my €60 for the six weeks course I wondered had I done the right thing in saying I would do it. Now that it is over I know money would never buy what I gained from it....."
- click here to read how Margaret got on. |
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My name is Annette: "I am a married mother with three young children a little girl of eight, a boy of four and my youngest girl is two. I was diagnosed with a Chronic Disease, Multiple Sclerosis in May 2007."
Click here to read how the PatientWise programme helped Annette. |
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From Marie: "I found the group had great wisdom which I believe is a result of their health condition, and this helped me see the huge positive that comes from adversity".
To read more of Marie's comments Click here.
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| Carla's Reflections |
Usually, most places I go to, I'm the one who is different, the one with the health issue that is difficult to explain, the one struggling to partake in activities that are a normal part of life for most others. Therefore it was wonderful for me to attend a group where we are all in the same boat, everybody facing life with a particular condition. There was an immediate bond between us of mutual understanding and acceptance. Yet this group was anything but a gathering of life's victims. Instead, there was a wealth of wisdom that each of us had accumulated through years of suffering. |
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| Out of the contents covered by the six week course the two elements that had the greatest impact for me were the action plan and the problem solving, both of which I am continuing to practice and applying to my life... Before attending the course I thought, well, after 17 years of living with my condition I have probably explored all there is and learned to have a sort of a life in spite of my problem. Now I see there is much more for me to learn and to change. It's like I'm learning to live, and I'm pretty sure that in fact I didn't know how to do that even before the onset of my illness. |
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| The setting of realistic goals on a weekly basis and the resulting sense of satisfaction and achievement taught me to have a good look at all the aspects of my life. I began to seriously ask myself what I really want in my life and how to go about claiming that. And most importantly, I have become willing to monitor and reassess the quality of my life and my goal setting. I live more consciously, I feel my life is expanding, and I am grateful for that. |
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| As regards the problem solving in my life I noticed something interesting. I recently went through a difficult experience which resulted in much emotional pain for me. I eventually had to admit that there were a number of ways to combat that misery, an assortment of means to find relief. I learned to apply the principle that if one particular one doesn’t help at this point in time I will apply one of the other options. And I realized, hey, I'm applying the problem solving technique. What has changed in my attitude towards life is that now I know to remind myself that I WANT the problem solved rather than staying stuck in pain and blaming others for it. I am learning that in order to find relief I must be willing to take the necessary action and keep at it. |
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| Another thing about the course that I enjoyed was the wonderful selection of healthy beverages and snacks on offer during tea breaks, so unlike other places where there is often nothing I can have. Thank you for your thoughtfulness. |
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And so I'll finish with a thank you to everyone for a worthwhile experience, knowing that the benefits of it will continue to unfold in my life.
Carla
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| Margaret's Story |
As I paid down my €60 for the six weeks course I wondered had I done the right thing in saying I would do it. Now that it is over I know money would never buy what I gained from it. |
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| There were just ten in our group and three tutors gave it. After having written up our names and taking a cup of coffee we sat down and introduced ourselves and said why we were there. We were given the book "Living a Healthy Life With a Chronic Condition"and for the next hour we went through an overview of self management and making an action plan. With a break for tea/coffee biscuits, cheese and fruit we spent the last hour and a half learning to use our minds to manage our symptoms. The two and a half hours just flew and I knew I had made the right decision to come on the course. |
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| Each week we took one or two new things to discuss, example, depression, pain, fatigue, communications, medication etc. etc. Each week we had feedback and problem solving and making an action plan for the following week. I found the problem solving so helpful. I have started to read again, go swimming, go for short walks daily, drink fruit juice instead of coffee once or twice a day, face my doctor and ask for a referral if he cannot help me etc. etc. These are just a few of the things I planned over the six weeks and these plans have brought me back to life. I had a car ride and a long bus ride to get to the course, but in no way would I miss a week. |
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If you want support in your pain, your isolation, your fear, this is the course for you. Here you meet up with others who may be worse than you and yet are willing to listen and support you in your pain and problem.
Before I went to the course I was sinking into depression and did not know where to turn. It has been a life saver for me and now I have taken steps to remedy my illness where I can and it has also given me the strength to accept what I cannot change.
If you have a chronic illness this is the course for you.
Margaret
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| Annette's Story |
Hi to all of you. |
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| My name is Annette. I am a married mother with three young children a little girl of eight, a boy of four and my youngest girl is two. |
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| I was diagnosed with a Chronic Disease, Multiple Sclerosis in May 2007. I am sure like you, it was a shock to hear such news and acceptance was almost unbearable. The first day I walked into the group class, yes of course I was shy, I just sat back and hoped for the best. I thought the few hours would drag, but no that did not happen, I felt so involved and almost straight away I didn’t feel so lonely, I realised other people felt the same. |
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The Chronic Disease Self-Management Programme has helped me in so many ways I have found inner strength that I never knew I had. I now begin each day positively. I am happier now that I believe in myself. The Chronic Disease Self Management Programme has given me the opportunities to change my attitude in life. Live simple lives, enjoy walking, talking and being with friends and family. This is what personal fulfilment is all about.
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| Take time to remember all the wonderful things we have experienced in life, from Marriage to Childbirth and now dealing and accepting our Chronic Disease. |
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Oh boy! What an incredible journey we have been on so far. No-one can go back and make a Brand New Start, But Anyone can begin now and make a Brand New Ending. I am grateful and thankful to Anne, Claire and Angela in the Chronic Disease Self Management Programme for helping me to find me again.
Thank you for reading about Me.
Annette
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| Marie's Comments |
I found the group had great wisdom which I believe is a result of their health condition, and this helped me see the huge positive that comes from adversity.. |
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| The course helped me have a greater mastery over my life and my symptoms in a way that is compassionate toward myself. |
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| Meeting these people showed me that there were lots of people with the same challenges, so I no longer felt nobody understands. |
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Training as a tutor is great as I get to review the course over and over again so it sinks in, at the same time as helping other people.
Marie
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