My Spoonie Sisters is a community of support for women living with chronic illness. Founder, Jenni, created her platform for Spoonies. The term Spoonies stems from the Spoon Theory, created by Christine Miserandino.
As a Spoonie myself, living with Psoriatic Arthritis and chronic migraines, what Jen does greatly resonates with me. Today, Jen is going to be sharing more about My Spoonie Sisters and why the community is important.
Welcome Jen of My Spoonie Sisters!
Jen, @gracefully_jen, resides in Washington state. In addition to being the founder of My Spoonie Sisters, she is a Chronic Illness Advocate, Mindset Mentor Coach, content creator, and author. Her favorite activities include painting, writing poetry, creating content, and sending out happy mail. A fun fact about Jen is that in 2019 she went on a mission trip to Mexico. Here, teams helped build homes in three days for deserving families. Jen summarizes her platform with the following: Friendships, encouragement, knowledge, affirmations, movement, and laughter.
Q) Welcome, Jen! Thank you so much for being here today. We first connected through your podcast, My Spoonie Sisters. Can you tell us about your podcast and why you started it?
A) My Spoonie Sisters is a podcast that features stories from special guests dedicated to empowering those with chronic illnesses. We share stories, discussing everything from Rheumatoid Arthritis to anxiety and sex therapy. Our goal? To connect people and provide the support and tools they need to live a better life. For those with a chronic illness, our energy levels fade faster. We must be more purposeful with the “spoons” allotted to us. Grab your coffee, sister, and tune in as my Spoonie Sisters share stories of living with chronic illness.
I started the podcast because I wanted to find a way to support people at the beginning stages of their illness/diagnosis. I felt discouraged and alone at the beginning of my journey and never wanted anyone else to feel that way, either. From the start, it grew into a community, a support system, and friendships worldwide.
Jen’s Testimony
Q) Can you tell us about your personal testimony with living with chronic illness and your road to diagnosis? How did your own journey impact your decision to start My Spoonie Sisters?
A) In 2012, I was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis, and in 2017, medically induced pustular psoriasis. Through my experiences, I realized how important it is for women to have a support system during their diagnosis and treatment. That’s why I created My Spoonie Sisters – to be the support I wish I had and help other women navigate their journeys. This inspired me to start My Spoonie Sisters.
My Spoonie Sisters is a community of women who are dealing with chronic illnesses, such as fibromyalgia, lupus, and multiple sclerosis, among others. The community provides a safe space where women can share their experiences, struggles, and triumphs without fear of judgment. We offer education, tips and tricks, laughter, and, most importantly, an open heart to everyone who needs it.
More About My Spoonie Sisters
Q) What is the most rewarding part of what you do?
A) I look forward to hearing from our followers and listeners. It is rewarding to hear how we have helped the people we engage with. It warms my heart to feel like I have helped someone else’s journey not be so rough.
Q) Who do you recommend connecting with you on your socials, including YouTube and Instagram? What type of person/reader will resonate most with your content?
A) Anyone who lives with a chronic condition who wants support, to make friends, and to join in our shenanigans.
Q) Can you tell us about your goals for your channel/platform for the next year? What about beyond?
A) My goals are to continue to grow our community with more women walking alongside me to support, advocate, and uplift. I would love someday to have sponsors of the podcast who love our mission and want to join us in our efforts.
Friends and Faith
Q) Can you tell us how your Christian faith overlaps with your work within the chronic illness community?
A) My faith overlaps within the bonds I have made with those I meet. I love virtually holding hands with my sisters and praying with them. My faith has rooted me and made me a better, more compassionate friend.
Q) Do you have a favorite Bible verse or a particular verse that is resonating with you in your current place in life?
A) My favorite Bible verse is Luke 1:46-47. It is also one of my favorite Christian songs because our soul should magnify the Lord and our spirit rejoice in the Lord. My second favorite is Philippians 4:6; “Do not be anxious about anything but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving.” There is such peace and beauty in that scripture.
More from Jen and My Spoonie Sisters
Q) If you had a theme song for your life, what would it be and why?
A) My theme song would be Until I Found You “because I would never fall unless it’s you I fall into.” I want to think this applies not only to my marriage, but if the lyrics were a bit different, I could apply them to the friendships I hold dear.
Q) If you could have everyone watch ONE movie in its entirety, what movie would you pick for us all and why?
A) The Holiday with Cameron Diaz because I love the comedy, friendships, and relationships. You laugh, cry, and cheer them on as they navigate heartbreak and love.
Q) If you could have any mythical creature as a pet, what would you pick and why?
A) I would have a pet phoenix because it is associated with sun and rebirth. I want to think that living with a chronic illness is a rebirth that we choose how to handle as we navigate each battle.
Advice and Recommendations
Q) Do you have a book (or two) that you like to recommend to others? What is it and why? I would recommend it?
A) The Girlfriend’s Guide to Lupus by Amanda Chay, whether you have Lupus or not, has fantastic tips, and Kaleidoscope Rare Disease Stories, in which I am a contributing author. It is a fantastic book filled with stories from people living with rare diseases of all kinds. Lastly, in Keeping It Real with Arthritis, I am also a contributing author alongside dozens of our spoonie sisters.
Q) If you could give your younger self any advice, what would it be?
A) My advice would be that you are not alone, your life is worth living, all you have to do is find someone to support and support you in return, and your life will have an even greater purpose within those bonds of friendships.
Q) What advice can you share with those living daily with chronic illness and/or chronic pain?
A) Your pain is valid, and your feelings are valid, but this life has a purpose for you in it. Find the person who needs you because they may change your life.
Interview Closing
Q) Thank you so much for being here today, Jen! To close, why does this community, My Spoonie Sisters, matter?
A) The community provides a safe space where women can share their experiences, struggles, and triumphs without fear of judgment. We offer education, tips and tricks, laughter, and, most importantly, an open heart to everyone who needs it. Here are some ways in which My Spoonie Sisters can help women navigate their journeys:
- Online support group: My Spoonie Sisters has a private Facebook group where members can connect and offer support. It’s a safe space where women can vent their frustrations, ask for advice, and receive encouragement from others going through similar experiences.
- Educational resources: Several My Spoonie Sisters in our community provide educational resources to help women understand their conditions better. This includes articles, videos, blog posts, and podcast episodes on health management, medication management, and coping strategies.
- Community events: Jen and Megan (another spoonie sister) host a regular mindset support group to help members connect and learn from each other. These events allow women to socialize, have fun, learn, and strategize with women worldwide.
Overall, My Spoonie Sisters is a supportive and empowering community that helps women with chronic illness feel less isolated and more empowered to manage their conditions with the support of hundreds of sisters.
Connect with My Spoonie Sisters!
Connect with Jen and the My Spoonie Sisters community through the podcast, YouTube, the website, and on Instagram.
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