Creating a Voice of Self-Advocacy

If you live with chronic illness, doctors appointments have very high stakes. Waiting for doctor’s appointments over long span of time causes stress. When the appointment finally comes, emotions run high because there is a lot to cover and there is an intense need to be heard and leave with understanding and a plan. Symptoms may have changed/progressed and we have a real fear of not being taken seriously (even more so for those with invisible disabilities). 

Going into an appointment, you might feel nervousness, stress, or desperation that result in a high-pitched voice, shortness of breath, or an inability to receive information.

All of those reactions will certainly lessen the integrity with how we communicate and dilute the sense of self- advocacy we all want to have during an appointment. 

How we speak matters just as much as the words themselves. Give the following a whirl at your next appointment to literally strengthen your voice:

1. If possible, ground your feet to the floor. You could also ground your body by placing your palms down on a steady surface.
2. Breathe low into your tummy. 
3. Pause to inhale before you speak.
4. Speak with the support of an exhaling breath.

Create your voice of self- advocacy.