tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7118510785451249376.post265174629697043947..comments2023-04-15T05:27:36.582-04:00Comments on Cranberry Tea Time: Offering Practical Help to a Friend with Chronic IllnessRachel Lundyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03040828112970215049noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7118510785451249376.post-761096441374207892014-10-19T15:49:54.911-04:002014-10-19T15:49:54.911-04:00Hi Mary, thanks for sharing! You are so right that...Hi Mary, thanks for sharing! You are so right that a greeting by phone, text, or email can be a huge thing, especially when homebound or in the hospital. A message to let you know that you aren't forgotten is a great encouragement.<br /><br /><br />Knowing how to offer help (or how to ask for help!) is such a tricky thing. There are various levels of comfort for asking and giving. What one person finds helpful, another person might find to be too pushy and an invasion of privacy. I hope that this series on chronic illness and friendship will start some helpful among the chronically ill and their friends. Hopefully we will all learn to better understand and support each other.Rachel Lundyhttp://www.cranberryteatime.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7118510785451249376.post-74329013037881682552014-10-16T08:54:21.078-04:002014-10-16T08:54:21.078-04:00Honestly, just saying "hello" by phone, ...Honestly, just saying "hello" by phone, text, email can be really huge for someone who is chronically ill. Merely knowing that you crossed someone's mind can make a huge difference when you're fighting for your life. If you do offer to help, sometimes it's better to not actually "offer". Instead, TELL the chronically ill friend that you're coming over and plan to do _____ (whatever help you will be doing for them). Even loading the dishwasher can be overwhelming (hello dysautotonomia! :). Some friends need the help but will never ask.Marynoreply@blogger.com