FIGHT LIKE A WARRIOR August 2019 Newsletter |
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Gastroparesis Awareness Month - August Featured: Jamie Burnett @relentlesslysassy “The definition of “fighter” is someone who does not easily admit defeat. That’s the hardest part about having an illness that’s chronic- everyday we have to CHOOSE to keep fighting. We don’t get the day off. If we take a break, we have to face the consequences. Intestinal failure has taken my stomach and large intestine from me. It started as Gastroparesis, but eventually that failure to process food evolved into rejection of any substance that entered my intestinal tract. Being a fighter, for me, is waking up everyday and reminding myself that it is my job to fight to keep what’s left- my small intestine- alive. It’s sort of like parenting, I guess. You have a kid, it’s your responsibility to raise them, feed them, nurture them. I got sick, and it’s my job to parent my disease and keep it in the best shape it can be in. I will not refuse treatment, or dismiss any ideas that may help improve my quality of life, because I'm a FIGHTER and I will not admit defeat.” |
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Spinal Muscular Atrophy Awareness Month - August Featured: Nikki Dwyer @trickynikkidee "Fighting like a warrior to me includes many of the things that people with SMA typically fight for such as healthcare, awareness, and accessibility. Something that I fight for daily is inclusion in everyday life. Fighting like a warrior means defying the odds. Odds are that disabled people aren't always considered, we're stereotyped as being unsuccessful, and we live in a world that isn't accustomed to us. I live a busy a life that my muscles can't always keep up with, and I fight to show society that I am a productive, successful individual despite having SMA. Fighting like a warrior means breaking stereotypes and not letting SMA hold me back from what I want to accomplish." |
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Warrior of the Month - Jenna @jennasigle We are so excited to announce Jenna as our August Warrior of the Month! Jenna is fighting a few illnesses, but they aren't holding her back from living life to the fullest! She struggles with panic disorder, major depression and anxiety, non-epileptic seizures, and complex regional pain syndrome, also known as CRPS. | | |
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Ambassador of the Month - Annika (@confidentlychronic) Annika is a 17 year old student in Grade 12 from Calgary, Alberta who loves spending time with her family, friends, and three pups! When she's not at school or doing online school, you can usually catch her at the library, out for dinner with friends, on the track or cuddling with her dogs. After graduation, she will be pursuing an education degree with a specialty in progressive physiology and psychology! |
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Meet Our New Advocacy Team! Meet Sav Cooper- Awareness Coordinator "Hi! My name is Savannah Cooper and I am the Awareness Coordinator for Fight Like A Warrior. I was diagnosed with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome and Tethered Cord Syndrome at 7 years old. For the last 5 1/2 years I have struggled with chronic kidney infections and other undiagnosed health complications." (Read more >>) | | |
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Thank you so much for reading Fight Like A Warrior's monthly newsletter! Because of your support, our organization has been able to create an incredible community of chronic illness warriors who prove every single day that #SickFightsBack. If you know a warrior that could use a little extra support & encouragement, remember to request a card for them! In August we sent cards to warriors in the US, Canada and the UK/England! Keep fighting everyone! |
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