This is such a great initiative, Chris! I'm really curious about the video format on Substack too. My question is: Do you ever get caught up in thinking about the injustice of the adversity you're facing, and how do you manage this? How do you stop yourself from spiralling down a path of comparison and negativity? I think we can all learn a lot from your wealth of experience and insights!
Hey Chris! I really admire how much you share of your story in a tasteful way. You share enough personal background and detail to make readers feel invested in you, but also not too much so it ever comes off as oversharing, either. It's definitely an art and you do it so well!
I'm newer to Substack and am still learning....how do you strike that balance?
I don’t have a question per say, but I suspect that it would be very helpful to your readers to detail the kinds of things others can do that sincerely help you… or buoy you up, or make you feel seen and supported. This topic cannot be talked about enough in my opinion.
A bit of both I suppose. I think that able- bodied people are always looking for ways to help those they love and support them on their journey. Sharing what has felt good for you to receive (to make you feel loved) and things that have helped will be great for most everyone,
Firstly, thank you so much for doing this! Here's my question: how can I be more resilient when overwhelmed with several stressful events at once (e.g. moving houses plus exams)? I want to be able to support my family members in times of stress and change, but first I think I need to figure out how to not be all stressed out myself.
Hey Chris, sorry to hear about the pain in your wrists, but hopefully it improves with a little bit of a break/ respite, and look forward to see how you put the video format to good effect. As for my question, I’m going to change it up a little, and ask you something hopefully a little more light-hearted and more fun for ya. I see in the suggestions area that you had a scratched bulletpoint about Uconn basketball haha - I’m sure that it’s just an in-joke, but do you follow Uconn basketball? And if so, 1st question - did you attend Uconn? Then my follow-up question are, how do you feel about the state of how the mens team has become over the last 3-5 years, and whether you think Geno Auriemma should retire as coach of the Uconn women’s teams, as they just hasn’t quite performed to their legacy in recent years?
Yeah oddly yes. And i say oddly, cause I’m not even American, nor have i been to America lol. I am however, a basketball fan, or namely a Chicago Bulls fan since I was a kid. Ppl tell me I should give up on my Bulls fandom (that’s a different story for a different day) due to the team’s overall state since the MJ heyday. Cause of that, I also support Chicago Sky - which led me to following Uconn women’s team in recent years. Plus there’s now a former Uconn alunni in the Windy City Bulls (Adama Sonogo) 😉…so back to my initial answer, oddly yes I’m a fan hehe though there’s no real rhyme or reason for me to be one 🤣😂🤣
Hi Chris, I love this idea! I would be interested to know what you are most grateful for in your life that would not exist had it not been for your disease. I wish you luck figuring out the video!
I’d be interested to hear your perspective on getting to the root cause of disease. Is that something you believe in or have opened yourself up to exploring?
Also, what are your beliefs around your health and healing?
I ask these because I have a particular interest in the part our belief system plays in our wellness, or lack thereof.
And getting to the root of the cause has been a relevant part of my journey but I’m seeing a lot of push back on it in the chronic illness community recently, a lot of resistance and dismissal of it.
A belief I’ve always had is that there is a root cause and if you can get to the root of the cause, it’ll take you much further than a band aid approach. So it’s surprised me to see what I’ve witnessed so much of in the past year or so.
This is such a great initiative, Chris! I'm really curious about the video format on Substack too. My question is: Do you ever get caught up in thinking about the injustice of the adversity you're facing, and how do you manage this? How do you stop yourself from spiralling down a path of comparison and negativity? I think we can all learn a lot from your wealth of experience and insights!
Thanks Ruhie! These are great questions. I'll address in the video!
Hi Chris,
My question is how do you shift your mindset when you're having a bad day with your disease?
I love your writing, I don't think you give yourself enough credit for the quality of work you do. You're very talented.
Thanks Vivienne! I really appreciate that. Great question - will answer in the video!
Hey Chris! I really admire how much you share of your story in a tasteful way. You share enough personal background and detail to make readers feel invested in you, but also not too much so it ever comes off as oversharing, either. It's definitely an art and you do it so well!
I'm newer to Substack and am still learning....how do you strike that balance?
Also, shoutout to your last AMA, which you gave some INCREDIBLE advice to me on!!
To clarify: strike a balance between sharing enough and oversharing?
Yes!
((Hugs)) of understanding go out to you.
I don’t have a question per say, but I suspect that it would be very helpful to your readers to detail the kinds of things others can do that sincerely help you… or buoy you up, or make you feel seen and supported. This topic cannot be talked about enough in my opinion.
Thanks Teyani! To clarify, are you asking what others have done to help me on my journey? Or what people can do to support others?
A bit of both I suppose. I think that able- bodied people are always looking for ways to help those they love and support them on their journey. Sharing what has felt good for you to receive (to make you feel loved) and things that have helped will be great for most everyone,
Ok, I think I can work with that. It counts as a question!
How about I phrase it: what would you recommend that friends and strangers offer (or do) that lets them express how much they care about you ?
Firstly, thank you so much for doing this! Here's my question: how can I be more resilient when overwhelmed with several stressful events at once (e.g. moving houses plus exams)? I want to be able to support my family members in times of stress and change, but first I think I need to figure out how to not be all stressed out myself.
Thanks Jenny! I'll answer this in the video 😀
Thanks so much Chris!
I don’t have a question on my mind but I’m mindful of your pain in my prayers. I’m sorry to hear this.
Thanks John! Prayers are always welcome. It's nothing new at least, I've just been a bit reckless recently by not taking breaks.
Hey Chris, sorry to hear about the pain in your wrists, but hopefully it improves with a little bit of a break/ respite, and look forward to see how you put the video format to good effect. As for my question, I’m going to change it up a little, and ask you something hopefully a little more light-hearted and more fun for ya. I see in the suggestions area that you had a scratched bulletpoint about Uconn basketball haha - I’m sure that it’s just an in-joke, but do you follow Uconn basketball? And if so, 1st question - did you attend Uconn? Then my follow-up question are, how do you feel about the state of how the mens team has become over the last 3-5 years, and whether you think Geno Auriemma should retire as coach of the Uconn women’s teams, as they just hasn’t quite performed to their legacy in recent years?
Hi Jimmy,
Yes! I am a huge Uconn fan, although I didn't go there. It's Connecticut's professional team though lol. Are you a fan?
These are good questions. I'll be sure to answer them in the video, maybe towards the end!
Yeah oddly yes. And i say oddly, cause I’m not even American, nor have i been to America lol. I am however, a basketball fan, or namely a Chicago Bulls fan since I was a kid. Ppl tell me I should give up on my Bulls fandom (that’s a different story for a different day) due to the team’s overall state since the MJ heyday. Cause of that, I also support Chicago Sky - which led me to following Uconn women’s team in recent years. Plus there’s now a former Uconn alunni in the Windy City Bulls (Adama Sonogo) 😉…so back to my initial answer, oddly yes I’m a fan hehe though there’s no real rhyme or reason for me to be one 🤣😂🤣
My condolences for your Bulls fandom.
Hi Chris, I love this idea! I would be interested to know what you are most grateful for in your life that would not exist had it not been for your disease. I wish you luck figuring out the video!
This is an excellent question - will answer in the video!
I’d be interested to hear your perspective on getting to the root cause of disease. Is that something you believe in or have opened yourself up to exploring?
Also, what are your beliefs around your health and healing?
I ask these because I have a particular interest in the part our belief system plays in our wellness, or lack thereof.
And getting to the root of the cause has been a relevant part of my journey but I’m seeing a lot of push back on it in the chronic illness community recently, a lot of resistance and dismissal of it.
A belief I’ve always had is that there is a root cause and if you can get to the root of the cause, it’ll take you much further than a band aid approach. So it’s surprised me to see what I’ve witnessed so much of in the past year or so.