{"id":1384,"date":"2014-10-09T01:26:51","date_gmt":"2014-10-09T01:26:51","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/gooddaysbaddays\/?p=1384"},"modified":"2014-10-02T18:45:16","modified_gmt":"2014-10-02T18:45:16","slug":"when-you-have-to-relearn-basic-skills","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/gooddaysbaddays\/2014\/10\/when-you-have-to-relearn-basic-skills.html","title":{"rendered":"When You Have to Relearn Basic Skills"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Maureen<\/a>Eating. Walking. Breathing. These and other “basic skills” are second nature to many of us. Or, perhaps, not.<\/p>\n

Sometimes, a chronic health condition requires us to relearn what we thought we already knew how to do. And it can be mighty frustrating, not to mention embarassing.<\/p>\n

I remember when, after a long series of tests, I was diagnosed with several esophageal problems and had to work with a “swallow therapist.” Before then, I had no idea that such a specialist existed! I also could not imagine that I was “eating incorrectly.” Hadn’t I been eating – and swallowing – all of my life? What could be wrong?<\/p>\n

Turned out, it wasn’t so much what was wrong, but what needed to be tweaked due to the developments brought about by my health problems. I had to learn new ways to approach eating because of them. It didn’t take a long time to do this, but as I “studied” and incorporated the very helpful suggestions give to me by the therapist, I realized how important it was that I relearned what I thought I already knew how to do. Not only did it enable me to adapt to my esophageal problems, it also gave me a lot of self-confidence and tools to take with me, back into my daily life.<\/p>\n

Other people I know have benefited from physical therapy sessions, revisiting daily activities and learning to walk, lift, or move in ways that adapt to new physical problems and, thus, cause less discomfort or limitation. Speech therapists can help with vocal difficulties. Breathing specialists can help with lung function.<\/p>\n

When a basic skill becomes problemmatic, it’s really important to keep in mind that we’re not “failing at life.” It’s just that sometimes, at various stages of our lives with chronic pain and illness, we’ll need to “tweak” or “retool” our approach. If there is something you used to be able to do easily, but are having problems doing now, I encourage you to see your doctor and talk it over with him or her. \u00a0We might not think we’ll ever have to learn to walk, talk, breath, or eat again, but sometimes we need a bit of expert help to enable us to journey on. \u00a0Far from being an indication of failure, taking these positive steps is a display of insight, courage, and determination!<\/p>\n

Joy and peace,<\/p>\n

Maureen<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Eating. Walking. Breathing. These and other “basic skills” are second nature to many of us. Or, perhaps, not. Sometimes, a chronic health condition requires us to relearn what we thought we already knew how to do. And it can be mighty frustrating, not to mention embarassing. 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She expected to be writing scripts. God had other plans. A few years after her graduation, Maureen was diagnosed with a life-threatening case of organ-involved lupus. Her life turned upside down as she grappled with the effects of the illness and other health conditions that ensued. She was no stranger to serious health challenges; even as a child, Maureen had survived numerous bouts of pneumonia, flu, and other infections. But lupus made her take a fresh look at her life goals - and took herlifelong, strong Catholic Christian faith and writing in a direction she'd never imagined. Today, Maureen writes and speaks about walking with the Lord while living with chronic pain and illness. Her most recent book is \"Don't Panic!: How to Keep Going When the Going Gets Tough (Franciscan Media). She is also the author of, \"Peace in the Storm: Meditations on Chronic Pain & Illness\" (Image Books\/Randomhouse), \"Beyond Pain: Job, Jesus, and Joy\" (Twenty-Third Publications), \"The First Year: Hypothyroidism, Second Edition\" (Perseus) and \"Taking Charge of Lupus: How to Manage the Disease and Make the Most of Your LIfe.\" She writes the syndicated column, \"Living Well,\" for Catholic News Service, and has also written for Saint Anthony Messenger Magazine, Journey for Women Magazine, The Upper Room Magazine, LupusNow, and Arthritis Today. Maureen's health continues to be a challenge, however she feels honored to be able to bring her perspective, from experience and knowledge, to others. \"Good Days...Bad Days with Maureen Pratt\" is a new way for Maureen to reach people who carry the burden of illness and pain in their lives, or who care for someone who does. 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