Author | Lightnews

An Anaphylaxis Reaction from Rituximab in Between Shady Years

April Smith | The Thriving Spoonie @thethrivingspoonie.com · 2d

A rare drug reaction. A terrifying anaphylactic response.

This powerful story from @achronicvoice.com sheds light on the hidden risks of #chronicillnesstreatment, and the courage it takes to keep trying anyway.

www.achronicvoice.com/2017/07/12/a...

The medications we tried were not much use for Lupus and its comorbidities. Here's what an anaphylaxis reaction from Rituximab feels like.

How to Rewire the Brain to Manage Chronic Pain (& Resources to Help)

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April Smith | The Thriving Spoonie @thethrivingspoonie.com · 10d

Can we actually *rewire* the brain to cope with #chronicpain?

This insightful post explores how neuroplasticity might offer hope—not as a cure, but as one more tool for managing the weight of daily pain.
www.achronicvoice.com/2019/07/30/r...

In order to rewire the brain to manage chronic pain, we first need to understand what 'pain' really is, and how neuroplasticity can help exactly.

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April Smith | The Thriving Spoonie @thethrivingspoonie.com · 10d

Such helpful tips for dealing with brain fog! I never considered how morning brain dumps could be helpful - might have to give it a try soon (on days when grogginess isn't winning the game).

April Smith | The Thriving Spoonie @thethrivingspoonie.com · 10d

Great post with tons of info on how to advocate for #disabilityrights

Kate Mitchell | Kate the (Almost) Great @katethealmostgreat.bsky.social · 10d

How to be a disability rights advocate

buff.ly/tE8Yjlx
ID: How to be a disability rights advocate, www. kate the almost great .com

What I Wish People Understood About Living With Bowels That Don’t Work

April Smith | The Thriving Spoonie @thethrivingspoonie.com · 23d

Some symptoms are harder to talk about—but that doesn’t make them less real.

This honest post sheds light on what it’s like to live with bowels that don’t work—and what the world often misunderstands.

myrockindisabledlife.org/2024/10/22/w...

#livingwithchronicillness

When you have Spina Bifida, it is common for your bladder and bowel function to not work properly because when something affects your spine, it doesn’t just give you back problems and other m…

myrockindisabledlife.org

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April Smith | The Thriving Spoonie @thethrivingspoonie.com · 23d

What’s the link between hEDS and immune issues?

This fascinating deep dive breaks down emerging research and lived experiences that suggest the connection runs deeper than we think.

The hEDS Immune Connection: What New Research Means for Your Health

A breakthrough study shows that immune signaling, not just genetics, plays a major role in hEDS. Here’s how mast cells, inflammation, and your environment interact—and why it matters more than ever.

buff.ly

#ProjChronicWisdom: Things I Find Beautiful in My Everyday Life Despite the Pain

April Smith | The Thriving Spoonie @thethrivingspoonie.com · 24d

Even on the hard days, beauty can still exist in small, quiet moments.

This gentle post from @achronicvoice.com reflects on finding the meaningful in the mundane while living with chronic illness.
www.achronicvoice.com/2017/05/10/p...

Here are things I find beautiful in my everyday life despite chronic pain. Read what others from the chronic illness community have to say, too!

How to Catch Yourself Before You Burn Out: Pacing With Chronic Illness Made Simple

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April Smith | The Thriving Spoonie @thethrivingspoonie.com · 25d

Learning to pace with #chronicillness isn’t about doing less—it’s about doing differently. In this post, I’m sharing the simple weekly check-in that helps me prevent burnout, plan around unpredictable energy, and stay grounded in what my body actually needs.

#lifewithchronicillness

bit.ly/46Gbm4R

Learn simple ways to pace with chronic illness using a weekly self-check-in to manage energy, prevent burnout, and plan with awareness.

Myths People Often Believe When Hiring Disabled People

April Smith | The Thriving Spoonie @thethrivingspoonie.com · Oct 2

Disabled people are often overlooked in hiring because of harmful myths—not facts.

This post breaks down the biggest misconceptions about hiring disabled workers and why inclusion matters.

myrockindisabledlife.org/2024/10/20/m...

#disabilityrights

If You Liked This Post, Please Subscribe For Weekly Updates Disabled people often have a harder time finding employment than non-disabled people because we face discrimination in job interviews tha…

myrockindisabledlife.org

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April Smith | The Thriving Spoonie @thethrivingspoonie.com · Sep 30

What if living authentically with chronic illness isn’t about being bold—but about not abandoning yourself?

New post on the quiet, complicated truth of showing up as you are.

#chronicillness #spoonie #disabledvoices

bit.ly/48F2Jc2

What It Really Means to Live Authentically With Chronic Illness—And Why It’s So Hard to Do

Discover what it really means to live authentically with chronic illness—and why it’s so challenging to let go of expectations.

Pain Awareness Month 2025: Chronic Pain Community -

April Smith | The Thriving Spoonie @thethrivingspoonie.com · Sep 26

buff.ly/ukKzIQU

Explore Pain Awareness Month 2025 with insights on spoon theory, pacing, community, and advocacy offering support for chronic pain warriors.

www.bloomingmindfulness.co.uk

April Smith | The Thriving Spoonie @thethrivingspoonie.com · Sep 26

September is Pain Awareness Month 💜 Living with chronic pain isn’t always visible—and that’s what makes it so often misunderstood. Community, advocacy, and compassion matter more than ever.

#PainAwarenessMonth

April Smith | The Thriving Spoonie @thethrivingspoonie.com · Sep 25

I love that you called attention to the humility it takes to do things this way! I've felt it, but couldn't articulate it. And I agree about courage - doing things this way goes against the grain of society, and any kind of push back on that take courage for sure.

April Smith | The Thriving Spoonie @thethrivingspoonie.com · Sep 25

100% agree, and that's what inspired the post. 😁

An Anaphylaxis Reaction from Rituximab in Between Shady Years

April Smith | The Thriving Spoonie @thethrivingspoonie.com · Sep 25

The hardest part of chronic illness fatigue isn’t always the crash itself. It’s the spiral that follows—guilt, shame, feeling like you’ve failed.

Your worth isn’t measured by your energy level. A bad day doesn’t erase your reliability, your care, or your value.

#ChronicIllness #SpoonieLife

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April Smith | The Thriving Spoonie @thethrivingspoonie.com · Sep 25

Anaphylaxis is terrifying on its own—add a rare reaction to a chronic illness treatment, and it’s a whole new level.

This powerful story from @achronicvoice sheds light on the risks, the aftermath, and the resilience it takes to keep going.

The medications we tried were not much use for Lupus and its comorbidities. Here's what an anaphylaxis reaction from Rituximab feels like.

buff.ly

April Smith | The Thriving Spoonie @thethrivingspoonie.com · Sep 23

Completely agree! It took me a while to get the hang of this, but it got easier the more I did it.

The Emotional Toll of Unpredictable Energy (And How I Stopped Blaming Myself)

April Smith | The Thriving Spoonie @thethrivingspoonie.com · Sep 23

Energy crashes aren’t just physical—they take an emotional toll too. The guilt, shame & self-doubt can feel heavier than the fatigue itself.

I wrote about how I stopped blaming myself for unpredictable energy & started rebuilding self-trust.

Read here 👉 bit.ly/42tPzLp

#ChronicIllness #SpoonieLife

Learn how to manage the emotional toll of fatigue and build self-trust with chronic illness energy management.

How Many Times Can You Hit Rock Bottom with Chronic Illness?

April Smith | The Thriving Spoonie @thethrivingspoonie.com · Sep 16

Chronic pain isn’t just physical—it’s emotional, mental, and deeply complex.

This post explores the layers of living with pain that others often overlook, and why compassion matters more than ever. Read it here:
ift.tt/lMZeRH1

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April Smith | The Thriving Spoonie @thethrivingspoonie.com · Sep 16

How many times can you hit rock bottom and still get back up?

This raw, honest post from @achronicvoice.com explores the relentless cycle of #chronicillness setbacks—and the quiet strength it takes to keep going.

Read it here:
www.achronicvoice.com/2016/11/01/h...

Living with chronic illness is unpredictable, and you hit rock bottom repeatedly as you get a new diagnosis, or need another surgery.

The Powerful Legacy of Chronically Ill Activists—and Why Disability Rights Are Still Under Threat

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April Smith | The Thriving Spoonie @thethrivingspoonie.com · Sep 16

So many #chronicallyill activists helped build the #disabilityrights we rely on today—but most of us were never told their stories.

This post explores their powerful legacy, the quiet ways they made change, and what we can learn from them now.

📖 Read here: bit.ly/3K90GCR

Discover the powerful legacy of chronically ill activists in U.S. disability rights history—and why their fight still matters today.