CAN chronic illness keep you from working?

I get asked this question too often. I say, too often, because it I have a hard time answering it.

Can it? Of course it can.  Does it?  Of course it does.  It kept me from working, at times.  But does it have to?   No, I don’t believe so. And that’s the tough part of the question.   This is just my belief.  And, if you don’t share it, I’m not going to convince you.  I don’t believe that words can convince a person to do something.  No, a person has to want to be shown or convinced that something is possible.  And, that refers to a person’ capacity. That’s her openness to the idea in the first place.

So, can you keep working when you live with a chronic illness?  Absolutely.  It just might not be what you thought it would be.    Ruth Ann Rich found that out.   She was training to be an actress and comedian when she developed Crohn’s disease. It took several years but she created a new skill for herself that uses what she knows and loves, making online music videos.   She wrote, directed and produced a video about Domestic Violence that is currently in an online video contest with Memelabs.

Rich said, ” But I want to prove to all those people out there who have left their dreams behind due to illness that they can still excel in the things they are passionate about,” said Rich.

Keep Working, Girlfriend.  Women can work — with chronic illness!

Rosalind