howilearnedtocope: Sometimes I get down about not being able to wear the clothes I want because of
howilearnedtocope: Sometimes I get down about not being able to wear the clothes I want because of my medical devices. Here are a few things that make me feel better about it: I’m proud of myself for deciding to wear knee braces, a posture shirt, ring splints, and a medical alert bracelet anyway. It’s frustrating sometimes, but I think I’m making the right decision. It is a decision, and in my case one I can make differently at any time. Deciding to wear a brace is not like getting a tattoo - I only have to decide if I want it today. The fact that I DO decide to wear these every day says a lot about the value they add to my life, and this applies even to more permanent things like a port or a feeding tube. We decide to use these things because the benefits are greater than the cost. Even when you feel you are choosing the lesser of two evils you still have agency. Remember that. Just because I can’t wear everything I want, doesn’t mean I can’t have cute outfits. Putting together, and buying things that help me feel cute & put together is an important & valid form of self care for me. Short term I’m happier when I can do the things that give me pleasure and have less pain. Long term I will have joints in better condition, and I will have more happy memories. I care much more about the substance of my memories than what my braces look like in photos I’m happy to be a role model for other who need medical devices, and an example of someone with an invisible illness. I want to live in a world where you can be fashionable and have medical devices, and I’m happy to be an example of that :) -- source link