ABOUT ME:
My name is Deidre Matthews. I am 22 years old. I figure skate, go to school full-time, work, coach and try to live a normal life. Unfortunately, I am sidelined with some complications...more then many people my age suffer from. I have Fibromyalgia (Diagnosed November 2014), Myofascial Pain Syndrome (Diagnosed May 2015), Endometriosis (Diagnosed Sept 2011) and an Overactive Bladder (Diagnosed May 2015). With these illnesses I am forced to change my way of living in order to live as 'normal' as I can, but it is almost impossible to get understanding from family, friends, medical professionals, employers, trainers etc.
This being said, 'normal' is not the same of what is expected of me. At times, I cannot workout because of the pain...and sometimes it only starts a few minutes after making the attempt. Other days the pain gets to much that I have to miss school. The normal times are usually around my period, when the Endometriosis takes a toll over my body and it hurts too much to uncurl. Work and coaching I always push to show up. I have only missed due to doctor's appointments but it was determined in advance.
Though as time goes on, I know I have to be more open to doctors and what I feel, trainers that I cannot push as much as I would like, teachers and employees on why I would miss work...this way they can gain knowledge and have a better understanding of not only what I go through, but anyone who suffers from chronic illnesses, diseases etc.
For the longest time I tried living with these issues quietly. The number one reason was I had no idea what was going on. I had full body pain for years before finding out it was not normal. The year of 2013-2014 I was pushing my body so hard, not knowing the effects that when I knew I had to go skate or workout I would cry in my car for thirty minutes before entering the training facility. When I got the Fibromyalgia Diagnosis in 2014, I knew my body would never hold up and I would have to make changes. It took a few stubborn attempts of living the same way I was before, to realize I needed to find an alternative way of doing things.
I know what it is like to have people not understand what we go through, suffering from these illnesses. Even as close as family. But as a spoonie we know we cannot hold it against them. Only people who suffer know what is truly happening. So with this site, I am providing support that is needed to those suffering BUT as well, I want to educate those who are not suffering. I want them to know that we will never get 'better', this is a part of who we are, but it is NOT who we are.
My goals for this site are:
1) To give an understanding what I am going through. As an athlete suffering and a daily life.
2) Give an understanding to those who don't have any issues on what we live with and how they can help/support us.
3) Give an understanding of how injuries can cause some illnesses.
4) Finding a proper diet/recipes for many issues.
5) Inspire Others-Give everyone the support they need.
And for coaches/trainers....training an athlete with issues.... I will also help. However my main focus will be training someone with Fibromyalgia...but a lot of concepts are similar with other issues.
This being said, 'normal' is not the same of what is expected of me. At times, I cannot workout because of the pain...and sometimes it only starts a few minutes after making the attempt. Other days the pain gets to much that I have to miss school. The normal times are usually around my period, when the Endometriosis takes a toll over my body and it hurts too much to uncurl. Work and coaching I always push to show up. I have only missed due to doctor's appointments but it was determined in advance.
Though as time goes on, I know I have to be more open to doctors and what I feel, trainers that I cannot push as much as I would like, teachers and employees on why I would miss work...this way they can gain knowledge and have a better understanding of not only what I go through, but anyone who suffers from chronic illnesses, diseases etc.
For the longest time I tried living with these issues quietly. The number one reason was I had no idea what was going on. I had full body pain for years before finding out it was not normal. The year of 2013-2014 I was pushing my body so hard, not knowing the effects that when I knew I had to go skate or workout I would cry in my car for thirty minutes before entering the training facility. When I got the Fibromyalgia Diagnosis in 2014, I knew my body would never hold up and I would have to make changes. It took a few stubborn attempts of living the same way I was before, to realize I needed to find an alternative way of doing things.
I know what it is like to have people not understand what we go through, suffering from these illnesses. Even as close as family. But as a spoonie we know we cannot hold it against them. Only people who suffer know what is truly happening. So with this site, I am providing support that is needed to those suffering BUT as well, I want to educate those who are not suffering. I want them to know that we will never get 'better', this is a part of who we are, but it is NOT who we are.
My goals for this site are:
1) To give an understanding what I am going through. As an athlete suffering and a daily life.
2) Give an understanding to those who don't have any issues on what we live with and how they can help/support us.
3) Give an understanding of how injuries can cause some illnesses.
4) Finding a proper diet/recipes for many issues.
5) Inspire Others-Give everyone the support they need.
And for coaches/trainers....training an athlete with issues.... I will also help. However my main focus will be training someone with Fibromyalgia...but a lot of concepts are similar with other issues.