Meeting Your Feelings
This week in our Women's Empowerment Circle we looked at what comes up when you first receive a diagnosis for your Rare child; this is stage two "adjusting to the diagnosis" on the Emotional Journey Map. You will likely experience an array of feelings from disappointment, to sadness to anger.
You might find that you are frustrated as you look for answers and become the resident expert on your child's Rare disease. You're now navigating mountains of extra paperwork and a system that is inherently broken. Perhaps you experience anger at the system and disappointment that your life is turning out vastly differently than you had imagined it would.
Welcome your feelings.
If you're angry, welcome the anger and breathe. Anger is a signal that something needs to change either internally or on the outside. The more you can sit with your feelings, the more you develop your capacity to be with the immense unpredictability of life as a Raregiver. The more you are able to be still and be with what shows up, the more skilled you become at riding these huge waves that are now a regular part of your life.
Lean on your community.
When you first learn that your child has a Rare disease, you may find yourself staying up nights doing research, crying in moments out of nowhere and quite possibly feeling depressed. Many Raregivers experience feeling very isolated, especially at the beginning of their Rare journey. You are invited to lean into our amazing Raregivers community where you will find people who understand you without explanation because they have walked where you are currently walking. They have lived what you are living or at least something very similar to it. Being together with people who understand you can be both comforting and stabilizing. If you notice yourself becoming isolated, please put our weekly meetings on your calendar so that anytime you are free, you can join us. You might even make some new friends. Come as you are, you are always welcome. Come with your hair a mess, teeth unbrushed. Come late. Come for just the beginning. You are completely welcome here at Raregivers.
Coming Up Next Week: Friends Who ‘Ghost’ You: Communicating Through Awkwardness and Letting Go (This can happen in Stage 1 or really anytime along the journey)
Description: Having a Rare child changes everything including friendships, and how it feels to move around in your community, and the world. You will experience awkward moments as you relate to others and many neurotypical people do not know how to act around a child with special needs which feels uncomfortable. You are now engaging with their discomfort and your own.
How do you communicate with friends about what you need? Some friends will pull away while others embrace the changes and are able to support you. You may need to let go of certain relationships while opening to others with people whose capacity allows them to meet you and your Rare family where you are. Learn to trust your intuition more deeply. Come share your experiences and learn from others.
Please Join Us for the Women's Empowerment Circle every Tuesday at 10am PST
You may not realize how much you need the Raregivers community until you find it.
Zoom Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84782918881
We look forward to being with you soon.
