Versatile Blogger Award

Slowly, but surely I'm connecting with more and more wonderful readers and developing an even stronger support network. I feel very grateful for this. I've even met and have plans to meet some of them in the real world! These friends are real and they're friends I deeply admire - not just because of their battles with illness, but because of the good and impressive people they are. Thus, receiving my first blog award from three readers meant even more. I want to extend a big thank you to Jasmine from Jasmine's Cove , Diane from A Stellarlife , and Dana from I Already Gave My Right Arm To Be Ambidextrous . There are three steps to accepting the award...

Step 1: Recognize the person or people who gave you this award

Jasmine's blog was the first blog about chronic illness that I ever read. Her work inspired me to start Loving With Chronic Illness. Jasmine battles with multiple diagnoses, including chronic migraines and Fibromyalgia and, with post titles like "Partly Cloudy With A Chance of Migraines ", she brings a light, yet crucial perspective. Jasmine, thank you not only for your recognition and support, but for your honest and important writing. 

Diane bravely discusses her life with Multiple Sclerosis, along with important disability issues (A topic that is near and dear to my own heart), current events, health issues, and also just plain silliness. Her latest post, "Falling with MS, Old Age and Disability: It's About Getting Up, Stupid! " highlights her unique voice, her strength, and her humor in the face of serious illness. She is the definition of a versatile blogger and I look forward to each of her posts - I'm always a bit better after reading them.

Dana also battles with multiple diagnoses, including psoriatic arthritis, sjogren's, and fibromyalgia. She writes, "Just when one thing seems to be doing better, something else goes downhill!" However, it seems that doesn't detour her from fighting. Dana writes, "I am 35 years old, have been married nearly 10 years, and my husband and I are in the process of adopting our first child! I have a lot on my plate right now, but I take it one moment at a time. I believe that God will never give me more than I can handle. However, I do need to learn to ask for help sometimes instead of always doing it by myself." Good lessons for anyone to learn - healthy or not. Thank you Dana!

Step 2: Share Seven Things About Yourself

I like to sit in New York City dog parks for hours meeting new pooches. I've been told it's okay to do this (even without owning a dog), but I still get strange glances from overprotective owners ;) 

Strawberry shortcake is a very serious weakness of mine, as well as reality TV.

I've lived in three continents for a period of time, and have a burning desire to see the rest of the world.

I'm a licensed New York State Wildlife Rehabilitator, along with both my mom and my dad.

Even though I love traveling, flying is my single greatest fear. 

I've been singing my whole life, whether it was the high school chamber choir, my college a cappella group, or in the shower. It reminds me of all the good my body's still capable of.

My first job was working in an animal shelter (surprise, surprise)

Step 3: Pass the award onto 15 bloggers whom you have recently discovered and think are fantastic!

Neil at 1,000 Awesome Things 

Jenny & Olivia at Lovely at Your Side 

Jodi at  Jodi McKee Photography 

Cathy at The Life And Adventures of Catepoo 

RA Guy at Rheumatoid Arthritis Guy 

Lana at Living It, Loving It 

Nessie at Lipstick, perfume and too many pills 

Carly at Waking Luna 

Sue at Rebuilding Wellness 

KD at Making Noises 

Robin at The Truth About JRA 

Leslie at Getting Closer To Myself 

Gerri at 50 is the new 40 
Lenka at Lenkaland 

Megan at Stick and Stones 

Love,

Maya