The Spoon Theory

(Posted by Patrick Sullivan Jr.)

Did you ever wonder what it's like to really feel chronically ill?  I have.

I am very lucky with my health.  I haven't taken a sick day from work in the last 3 years!  (Save for a few hangovers and an Exorcist-like case of food poisoning.)  My Mom would probably tell you that I've always been a helpful, sympathetic and caring person.  But frankly, I'm a wuss when it comes to being sick.  (Ask my wife.)  The fact is, I've never had to go day after day after day after day after day after day after day feeling crappy like my dad and so many millions like him.

I helped my dad start Jigsaw Health for a couple of reasons.  1) I knew I'd learn a lot from him (selfish reason).  2) I remember watching him go through the sick-well cycles my whole life, and if he found pieces to his chronic health puzzle, I wanted to help him share that 20-year shortcut with others (unselfish reason). 

Christine Miserandino of ButYouDontLookSick.com explains how Lupus affects her own life with a simple  concrete metaphor she calls The Spoon Theory.  It's very touching 2-page essay/story that succinctly helped me see my dad's (and our customers') struggles in a whole new light.  It's a metaphor I hope to carry with me for a long time.  Thanks Christine!

PS - Christine and I are both hosting online chat session during Invisible Illness Week (Sept 10 - 16), hosted by Lisa Copen of Rest Ministries.