Making the most of your situation

It might be good to talk to someone about making the most of your situation living with multiple illnesses. Your closest family members or friends are obvious choices. Your doctor may refer you to a psychologist. If you have a caseworker in the municipality, they are also a good conversation partner. To get an overview of your situation, make a list of things that make you happy and things that are more frustrating. Things you dream of doing and things you want to avoid. People you value, or communities you want to find. Then you can start achieving what matters most to you. Do you have any interests you can no longer pursue like before? Perhaps you can find a new way to meet your needs. Here are a few examples: A man who used to play tennis is now confined to a wheelchair. Today, he plays table tennis and still has both exercise and community in his everyday life. A woman who loves long hikes cannot walk very far. She is part of a group that drives to beautiful locations and goes on short walks together. In this way, she can still enjoy nature and discover new places. A man who quickly gets tired due to his illnesses keeps account of his energy levels. He knows when, in the course of the day, he has the most energy and spends his time on what matters most to him. In return, he accepts help with some of the practical chores. Another person has chronic neck pain and can no longer cycle as before. With an electric bike, he can still get out and enjoy being on the move. A man who can no longer physically attend his card club has found a new card club online and made more friends there. Sometimes small changes or the right help can make a big difference in everyday life. These can be assistive devices, help with everyday tasks or help finding new ways of doing things. For example, you can contact the municipality’s assessment unit for help to find out what options there are for support in everyday life. Living with multiple diseases can be difficult. The right support can make it easier to spend your energy on what matters most to you.