Reading, writing, making my art. Trying to get myself better takes most my time and is the focus of my attention. Cooking good food and using what I'm learning about nutrition..currently studying the effects of gluten, enzymes, amino acids on a body. I got diagnosed several years ago with IBS, no one said anything about being gluten intolerant or anything. Like most of my health stuff, I've had to learn to research and try to figure things out for myself. It's so much easier for MD's to write us off as mental and look no further when they can't figure things out. Nothing depresses me more than an 'expert' telling me I'm 'depressed' when I have an infection or something else going on.

Last of the Dogmen-The 10th Kingdom-Charlie & The Chocolate Factory-Lethal Weapon (all 4)-Cutthroat Island-The Broken Cord-Under Siege-Beetlejuice-Mission To Mars-What Dreams May Come-Stand and Deliver-The Book of Eli-the list goes on and on and on, but I won't, so on to the next box...

Nothing that screams at me or denigrates anyone is welcome. Music is great for 'mood moderation', imho!

Prescription for Nutritional Healing (Balch & Balch)- Spiritual anatomy of the Emotions (Jawer & Micozzi)-The Complete Guide to health and Nutrtition (Null)- Healing beyond The Body (Dossey)- The Chalice & The Blade (Eisler)- Art & Theory 1900-1990 (Harrison & Wood)-You Are Not The Target (Huxley)...

I am a chronic patient, having a list of 20 diagnoses. Some are physical things I was born with, some I acquired along the way. The mental issues I developed as a result of growing up neglected, abused and trying to deal with a sick body in an even sicker world.

I believe in being pro-active on my own behalf and on the behalf of others. I live on SSI, and don't need society crapping on me because i'm too sick to support myself. I'm not doing drugs or drinking, not causing any problems for anyone and will no longer allow anyone to make problems for me just because they are healthier, richer or more powerful. I have a wonderful education which I continue on my own after leaving grad school in 2003 and I am doing what I can to help others as I can do so.

But, after 54 yrs of putting others first, I am now first in my life, and can say that with only a little bit of guilt. I take meds, nothing for my brain, and am using food and proper nutrition to get myself better physically, mentally & spiritually. I write regularly (somewhat) at www.inspire.com and will be starting a blog as soon as my right hand has fully recoverd from surgery 10/26/10.

Be kind to yourself, treat yourself as you treat others. whatever your problems may be, you can deal with them, there is help out here, and don't beat yourself up about anything!!! There are more than enough people willing to do that to anyone who will stand and take it. Don't be a bully and don't let yourself be bullied, either. Be happy.

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