Illness Bloggers Join Together To Blog For Invisible Illness Week

The statistics about the prevalence of chronic illness are stunning. Nearly 1 in 2 people in the USA are living with a chronic illness and the U.S Census Bureau reports that about 96% of the illnesses are invisible. Hundreds of thousands of people on the Internet search for health information and support for their illness, so it's no surprise that thousands of bloggers now post daily messages on their blogs about coping with the emotional challenges of living with constant chronic pain and illness.

National Invisible Chronic Illness Awareness Week, September 8-14, 2008, is inviting these blogs to have a substantial role in their awareness campaign. For example, part of their outreach includes over thirty days of guest bloggers as well as bloggers across the internet posting about invisible illness matters. For example, if you have an invisible illness-and a legal handicapped parking placard-you've likely faced a few stares and questions if you park in the blue spot since your invisible illness does not require the use of a wheelchair.

Bloggers around the web are joining this awareness effort for Invisible Illness Week, showing support through their own blogs by posting about different issues related to invisible illness. One can even download an "I'm blogging for Invisible Illness Awareness Week" badge to let others know about their commitment to the cause. Bloggers are also publicly thanked each Friday on the Invisible Illness Week blog, gaining extra exposure for their own blog. Bloggers are posting on their own schedule, but the II Week committee is also encouraging them to post specifically on September 8th, creating a large kick off of awareness for the beginning of the week.

Lisa Copen, founder of National Invisible Chronic Illness Awareness Week says, "We live with thousands of illnesses, but we have more in common than not. Illness impacts our lives: our families, careers, finances, and daily living. We can learn a great deal from each other." She adds, "And frankly, most people would like their friends and family to be more in touch with the fact that despite the ill person 'looking so good' they truly are in a great deal of pain."

Laurie Edwards, author of the new book, "Life Disrupted: Getting Real About Chronic Illness in Your Twenties and Thirties," has been an illness blogger since 2006. She says, "When you're a young adult, people expect you to put in long hours to establish a career, to jump into the dating world, and to build a life for yourself. But they certainly don't expect you to be sick. There's no such thing as 'too young' to be sick, which is one of the reasons I think Invisible Illness Week is so important!"

If you would like to participate in this unique chance to blog for awareness and increase an understanding about invisible illnesses, visit www.invisibleillness.wordpress.com . You can receive updates, participate in surveys, win prizes, and learn more about the telephone workshops at the Invisible Illness Week web site: www.invisibleillness.com .

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Lisa Copen is best known for her helpful book "Beyond Casseroles: 505 Ways to Encourage a Chronically Ill Friend." Subscribe II Week's daily feed and receive a instant download of over 200 ways to encourage a friend.

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