Carrie Ann Advice on Therapy, Self Care as a Blogger, and the Importance of No: Explicitly Sick a Chronic Illness Podcast

Website/Blog, Twitter, & Instagram Handle

Twitter: @CarrieALightley

https://www.carrieannlightley.com/

Name *

Carrie-Ann Lightley

What is your disorder? *

Cerebral Palsy

At what age did your disorder become a daily issue? *

0

Who were you before your illness became debilitating? *

I've always been disabled

What would you do if you were not dealing with your disorder and/or disability? *

I wouldn't be me!

What would you like people to know about your daily life? *

I LOVE my life – wonky, uncooperative, wheelchair-using body and all – I wouldn’t be the person that I am without Cerebral Palsy, and I wouldn’t want to be anyone else.

What would make living and moving in the world easier for you? *

More detailed, accurate accessibility information for venues, transport and services.

Do you have any life hacks? *

Maternity jeans! I'm not (and not planning to be) pregnant but have been wearing maternity jeans for a while now and I'll never go back. Like many wheelchair users I have poor muscle tone in my stomach, so my tummy sticks out. Wearing 'normal' jeans when I'm sitting all day is really uncomfortable.

What kind of support do you get from family or friends? *

I live with my husband and he helps me with all the day to day life things I need assistance with - housework, cooking, driving. I'm also lucky to have a lot of supportive family and friends who step in when need be.

Have you ever had someone, or a medical professional, not believe you have an invisible illness because of your appearance and if so are there any examples that stand out? *

No

How has your chronic illness affected your relationships? *

I feel like being visibly disabled makes me an excellent judge of character. I can tell within minutes of meeting someone, whether they're my kind of people.

Is there anything you are afraid to tell people in your life? *

No, I try to be very open.

What is your best coping mechanism? *

Reading. It helps me to relax physically, allowing my body to recover, and mentally it gives me an escape.

What are you the most concerned about and the most hopeful for in the future? *

I'm both hopeful and concerned about traveling again.

Is there anything you want to make sure we talk about during the interview? Like an organization you want to promote or something specific that you deal with.

I'd like to be able to promote my blog

What makes you energized or enthusiastic? What drains you?

Exercise and creativity energize me. Overworking drains me, but is a coping mechanism that I'm trying to let go of.

Any favorite books or shows?

Henry Fraser's Little Big Things and Poorna Bell's In Search of Silence are my favorite recent reads. Grey's Anatomy is my all-time favorite show!

What is the hardest and/or best lesson your condition has taught you?

Both the hardest and the best - resilience

What is the best purchase under $100 that helped your life

A laptop case/travel bag that hangs on the back of my wheelchair