By Guest Bloggers Wayne Connell, founder and president of the Invisible Disabilities Association (IDA), and Karyn Buxman, RN, MSN, IDA Advisory Board Member and Author
My journey over the past two decades with my wife, Sherri – whose life is filled daily with intense pain, brain fog, overwhelming fatigue and isolation – is full of more downs than ups. It seems like the easy thing to do would be to throw my hands up and scream. I joke sometimes that Murphy has nothing on what we go through each day.
Yet, despite all of the daily suffering, we try to laugh. We laugh at each other. She laughs at me more than I laugh at her, especially when I bolt straight up in the middle of the night and try to figure out what just made that noise and where I am. We laugh at the absurdity of each moment. We laugh when her medical records are lost for the umpteenth time. We laugh at I Love Lucy. I bought all 186 episodes and watched them each night for six months straight. She calls me her Ricky and I call her my Lucy.
The real question is, are we just crazy? Maybe we are not serious enough about her illness. I don’t believe that’s the case. I think we would go mad if we didn’t laugh when someone asks Sherri if she has tried Tylenol for her pain (seriously?). Well, let’s ask an expert. Say Karyn Buxman, RN. Her Masters of Science in Nursing is in Therapeutic Humor. She is the Past President of the Association for Applied and Therapeutic Humor and the editor of the Journal of Nursing Jocularity. Karyn is also the author of the new What So Funny About series of books. She has been a long time Invisible Disabilities Association (IDA) Advisory Board member and a personal friend of Sherri’s and mine. Did I mention she is also in the National Speaker Hall of Fame? I could go on.
Karyn, take it away…
What’s not funny about disabilities?
A diabetic, a blind man and an amputee walk into a bar. The bartender says, “What is this – some kind of joke?
Having a disability is no joke. But it can be a laughing matter. Pain, suffering, isolation, stress, depression, financial hardships – the problems can seem never ending. And to survive you need all the possible tools in your tool belt that you can find. One tool that is frequently overlooked is humor.
Science is affirming what we’ve suspected all along – laughter is good medicine. The benefits for you are so numerous that you are not going to want to wait for humor to happen by chance. You’ll want to be proactive and experience humor by choice. And the good news is, you don’t have to be funny. You just have to see funny.
What can humor do for you?
Physically:
We’ve known for many years that negative emotions can wreak havoc on your body. Feelings of sadness, depression, fear, anxiety and stress can actually compound many of the issues you or your loved one may already be suffering as a result of a disability. For instance, stress is now known to exacerbate health problems such as diabetes, cancer, Alzheimer’s, arthritis, COPD, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s, epilepsy, migraines, cardiovascular disease, depression and many more.
Stress raises hormones that cause an inflammatory response throughout your body. Studies show that laughing lowers your levels of the stress hormones cortisol and adrenaline. This may be reflected in lower blood pressure, lower blood sugar, improved circulation, enhanced digestion, decreased inflammation, and diminished pain and discomfort, just to mention a few. Another physical benefit of humor and laughter is decreased muscle tension – another great pain reliever.
Psychologically:
In my opinion, language was invented in order for people to communicate, whereas humor was invented in order for people to complain. Dealing with a chronic disease can trigger anger – and humor is a wonderful way to help process the negative emotions. And while people will run like the building is on fire when a complainer approaches, humor can be a socially acceptable – even enjoyable – way for people to vent.
Part of having a disability – any disability – is that you’re going to feel frustrated, you’re going to be angry, you’re going to have moments when you are filled with rage. It’s unrealistic to think that embracing humor as a coping strategy is going to eliminate those feelings. But repressed anger can make your symptoms even worse.
Humor redirects anger, instead of avoiding or denying it. This redirection can defuse a lot of rage, bringing with it a sense of calm, relief and a fresh perspective. The underlying circumstances that made you angry still exist, but after you’ve laughed, you’re better prepared to address those circumstances.
Socially:
Humor is an effective way to combat social isolation. You can use humor to directly address some of the issues that crop up in your relationships. Humor has been found to strengthen existing relationships (which is good if you like the people you know!). Regular use of humor is thought to make us more attractive to other people, which can increase your social circle and your base of support (this is good news if you don’t like the people you currently know).
But can you help me be funny?
Now that you understand some of the benefits of humor, let’s look at how you can proactively make this part of your daily routine. Here are seven tips on how you can increase your Laughter Factor:
1. First assume that there is humor to be found. If your assumption is that nothing funny is happening around you – then you miss it. Yet if you believe that something humorous is waiting to be found – you will discover it.
2. Raise your awareness. If you are proactively looking and listening for something humorous, you will see and hear what most others miss. Like the tourist who called a hotel in Florida wanting to know “Which beach is closest to the water?” Or the 5 year-old who asked his grandmother “Why doesn’t your skin fit your face?”
3. Manipulate your environment. Surround your living and working space with playful and entertaining items. These might be toys or games; funny books and DVDs; whimsical signs, cartoons, art, or posters; colorful clothing; entertaining CDs or mp3s. If you have fun things in your environment, you increase your likelihood of laughter.
4. Create a Play List. Write down at least 10, preferably 20, things you find fun to do. Ideally half of the items on your list should cost little or nothing to do. The plan: Next time you are feeling uncomfortable, sad or fatigued, pull out your list and make an agreement with yourself to do at least one item on your list. Don’t wait to feel better to play. Play and then feel better.
5. Use the Internet. There are numerous joke and cartoon sites – bookmark them and check them out on a routine basis. And YouTube has a plethora of clips that are guaranteed to bring a smile to your face. (For starters, type “laughing babies” into the search box. What is more contagious than a baby’s laugh?!)
6. Laugh anyway. If there is nothing funny to be found, fake it ‘til you make it – your body may not know the difference. And often it will become real laughter. If you want guidance, there are groups that teach how to laugh for no reason. Check out World Laughter Tour or Laughter Yoga.
7. Laugh at yourself. When all is said and done, you can take your disability seriously – it’s serious stuff. But you can take yourself lightly. Learn to separate the two. You are not your disability. You are an amazing and amusing individual with a rich resource of life experiences.
Hopefully with the tools and information I’ve given you, you can put yourself and your life in their proper perspective. Laugh at your mistakes, your foibles and your embarrassing moments, as well as your successes, your pleasures and your joy-filled moments. And don’t wait for humor to happen by chance. Experience by choice and reap the benefits today!
We hope this has been a very insightful article for you. We plan to bring you more like it in future Disability.gov blogs. Karyn Buxman will be joining the Invisible Disabilities Association on September 27th for the first ever Online True Help® DisabilityWeb Expo, which is sponsored by Allsup, for one of our online Expert Chats. Learn more about this free event and register today by visiting http://www.invisibledisabilities.org/ida-getting-the-word-out-about-invisible-disabilities/free-online-disability-expo-ida-september-27-2012.
Wayne Connell, the founder and president of the Invisible Disabilities Association (IDA), established IDA in 1997 out of the desire to educate friends and family about his wife’s debilitating illness. Soon afterwards, people around the globe began sending emails sharing how IDA had changed their relationships with their loved ones. He is co-author of the booklet, “But You LOOK Good, How to Encourage and Understand People Living with Illness and Pain.” Wayne’s background fueled his passion for helping people living with illness, pain and disability. His experience includes that of a professional, multitasking husband caregiver with an extensive background in management, media and technology. This man on a mission quickly launched IDA into a world-wide outreach for millions living with invisible disabilities. Join IDA on October 14th in Lone Tree, CO for IDA’s 5th Annual Honor Awards Banquet. Details are available at www.JoinTheExpedition.org or www.InvisibleDisabilities.org.
Karyn Buxman, RN, MSN, CSP CPAE is on a mission to improve global health through laughter and to heal the humor-impaired. For periodic tips on how to improve your life with strategic humor, visit her website at www.KarynBuxman.com.
This is really a cool and useful piece of information. I am glad that you shared this helpful info with us. Please keep us up to date like this. Thanks for sharing.
I am a diabetic, hepatitis c, cerosis, alcoholic, and failed back surgery. And this is my question: I am starting the hep c treatment. I need to know if I would qualify for Social Security if I applied again. I applied in or around 2005 due to my back and having chronic pain. Also, should I get a lawyer? The lawyer I had before did not do anything when I went to a hearing. That’s why I am afraid to apply again. I have applied at least 4 or 5 times and been rejected. Thank you.
I have a question. My 2 grandsons got taken from their mother by CPS. I am trying to have the boys live with me. I am on SSI. One of the boys is disabled and on SSI. If they get to live with me, will I be helped out with some of my grandson’s SSI?
I love your article, it’s true that laughter can improve someone’s spirit and even health. We need a support system beyond meds, doctors, treatments. We need to know there’s something to fight for. We need to laugh it off and move on.
Daniel~ So glad you enjoyed the article. There is definitely something worth fighting for. Find inspiration wherever you can. Children, sunsets, a star-filled sky — each different for each of us. But laughter can help so many and it is so accessible, if you’re willing to give it a shot. Let me know if I can be a resource for you. Happy Holidays!
Yours in laughter!
Karyn
Greetings! I am in the wonderful field of Physical Therapy. I work at a rehabilitation center that cannot provide a trail KAFO (Knee Ankle Foot Orthosis) for my patients because of limited funding. I was wondering if anyone knows from where I can get one donated. I work with patients who are in great need of this particular brace on a trial basis. We cannot order one from an Orthotist because of the uncertainty of the patients’ eventual need of the brace. Thank you so much and have a great day.
I have enjoyed reading about the use of humor. I try to use it in many ways, I have MS, so there are plenty of times when I have used humor. Like the time I was at a party and someone thought I was drunk, because I have some difficulty walking. When I heard someone say it, I told them “Actually when I’m drunk, I walk better”, I laughed, and I think the other person was in shock. A lot of my friend say, things like that are not funny, I disagree with them and continue on with my life. I agree with the laughing at ourselves. That is where I get my best material from.
Patti:
What a great sense of humor you have! And I agree with you–we are our best material. You are a great role model–I sure appreciate you sharing your insights and experiences.
Yours in laughter!
Karyn
Patti: Neither you nor I actually qualify to be part of this group because your MS and my CP are obvious. I will be joining because of my wife. She looks totally “normal”, but she is sometimes awake for days due to excruciating pain. I am hoping this will help. Please NEVER stop making fun of your situation regardless of any PC’er getting uncomfortable when you say something about yourself. It is your problem to deal with; not theirs. With some of the people I have to work with, I refer to myself as “…a cripple” or when I get the chance to work it into the conversation, I say, “Hire the Handicap, they’re fun to watch.” They go nuts and a couple of them would like to have me fired; if they could. Keep your attitude. You bless me and a bunch of others and what you say about your own situation is your business.
Thank you for a great article. Laughter is indeed the best medicine and sure beats the alternative, sitting curled up in a corner crying. Besides, when you are all out of tears, the pain/worries/everyday difficulties etc. are still there and you still don’t feel any better about them.
The difficulty with being upbeat comes in play when you have a new addition to your medical team. They don’t seem to be able to comprehend that you actually have a problem because you do not react in the “typical” fashion. I had one surgeon insist that I had X-rays performed in his office because he did not believe that the scans that I brought in could be mine. He reviewed the X-rays, then started to again review the scan films and groaned with each view. He then turned to me and asked, “How are you walking?” to which I replied, “Very carefully!”. Immediately I was scheduled for bilateral TKR’s. Same surgeon, a few years later did some repairs on one of my shoulders and kept returning to my bedside to inquire about my pain level. When I realized that repeatedly informing him that I had none was not sinking in, I gently assured him that he had done such a good job of fixing the problem that all I was left with was surgical pain, that it would go away and that he should be off fixing someone else’s problem. My spine surgeon after my 4th surgery waited patiently at my bedside until I could peel my eyes open and asked with great concern, “Now tell me again, why did we wait so long?” I’m sure that I gave him an answer that seemed perfectly good to me, but was unintelligible to him.
Early in my nursing career, I was tending to a very anxious and angry gentleman who was scheduled for a toe amputation. Somehow to my own horror, the words slipped out of my mouth, “Look at it this way, you still have four more.” Everyone in the room gasped and I made a quick exit. The next day his wife told me that after several blue words were shouted at everyone present, he started laughing and had a completely different outlook on his future recovery and continuation of life, minus only one toe.
Matt was a Special Guest at the Invisible Disabilities Association’s 2011 Honor Awards Banquet. He shared a bit of his journey, which brought the audience to their feet! Matt’s story is inspirational and will change your life and your mind about judging others, before taking the time to get to know them.
Sue:
What great stories. It looks like you’ve been on the giving AND receiving end of the healthcare scene. Your anecdote about sharing with healthcare providers really struck a note–my son who needed bilateral hip replacements after chemotherapy had a similar experience–his doc just couldn’t believe that there could be a serious issue when he was ambulating so well. After the surgery the surgeon marveled that my son must have really been in incredible pain. My son could only laugh and shake his head. Seems no one believed him until the hip bone literally disintegrated in the doc’s hands when they tried to manipulate it. As for your foot-in-mouth comment about the toe–I had to laugh out loud. While shocking–it sounds like that humor was indeed great medicine for the patient. Thanks for sharing your stories and let me know if I can be a resource for you. Good luck!
I’m a single mom of 5 girls and I’ve been sick for 29 yrs. I also have a 27 yr old daughter with Downs Syndrome who goes to an activity center with 50 or so disAbled adults. I love hanging with this amazing group of special people! Truly, laughter is good medicine! And these folks have the remedy down!!!
Erin:
Wow–it’s not easy being a single parent–and to have 5 girls! Whew! Congrats to you.
And isn’t it amazing how persons with Downs Syndrome really seem to have the gift of humor and good hearted living that just exudes from them?
I sure appreciate you sharing your experience-a real day brightener.
Let me know if I can be a resource for you-and continue to live amazed and amused
What an amazing event! Wish I could have had the chance to chat, but we were on opposite ends of the table. So many great gals there though, definitely fun! And funny you were the only blonde!
I can truly relate. I have Chrone’s Disease and I laugh everyday. I love to joke around with family and friends. But deep inside no one really knows how I feel and what I constantly have to deal with on a day to day basis. One thing’s for sure, I love life and I love God, so why not smile?
Wanda:
You sound like a courageous person. And the fact that you are smiling is indeed making you a healthier person. A sincere smile means you’re experiencing positive emotions and that, in turn, means that you are experiencing benefits to your immune system, your musculo-skeletel system, and your respiratory system–just to name a few! And smiling can even make you appear younger! Nature’s natural facelift! See: http://www.abc.net.au/health/talkinghealth/factbuster/stories/2010/06/08/2921478.htm#.UEARZGhSTJ4
Kudos to you. And thanks for sharing!
I used denial (not the river in Africa) for a long while (try half a century.) I would like to use humor, but I can’t see an opening.
When you have a creature 10 times your size (named with the fists) bearing down on you, and the only exit leaves a 2 yr old exposed to the violence, please tell me where the humor hides as I still need a joke (over 70 yrs later.).
Marvin:
I’m not sure I understand, but it sounds like you may have been the victim of child abuse. There are some things that no amount of time or distance will make funny. Rather than trying to find the humor in the incident, perhaps you can search for humor from other sources. The fact that you are seeking humor is a wonderful step. You might try searching for humor in different formats. Look for different styles of movies or sitcoms that might amuse you. YouTube is rich with videos of funny people and even funny animals. During times when I feel particularly down, I go to YouTube and search for laughing babies. There is something so pure and uplifting in a baby’s genuine laugh that it can touch the heart of even one who is in considerable pain, whether physical or emotional. A favorite of many: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HttF5HVYtlQ These are just suggestions. I welcome the input of others who have been in your shoes. And I sincerely wish you good luck. Let me know if I can be a resource for you.
Another fabulous, informative article by Karyn Buxman! Does IDA also include learning disabilities and bipolar disorder? I am very involved with a volunteer learning disabilities group and would like to be more involved with IDA if learning disabilities are included in your mandate.
Pam:
Thanks for your comments! I think learning diabilities and bipolar disorder are great topics for us to address. We really appreciate your feedback. It helps us to know what people are needing/wanting. Let us know how we can continue to be a resource for you.
Hi Pam!
Absolutely! IDA addresses all illnesses, injuries and conditions that are debilitating, whether it be chronic pain, fatigue, cognitive dysfunctions, depression, eyesight and/or hearing loss.
Thank you for your comment!
The IDA Team
Humor is good therapy. However, this makes me think of something else. I have been to several shows in the last month and in two of five the vehicle for laughs was the disability of a character. The audience laughed loud and long at Judy Garland falling down drunk and at the deaf wife in Clybourne Park. Frankly, I don’t understand what’s so funny about tragedy and disability. Does anyone get this?
Your question is a great one. Humor, at least for most adults, often comes from pain and discomfort. Sometimes it’s theirs. Sometimes it’s someone else’s. (Mel Brooks: “Tragedy is when I cut my finger. Comedy is when you fall down a sewer hole and die.”) We laugh oftentimes to provide a relief from the tension. The humor comes from a precarious balance–we must identify with the situation to some degree to find it of interest, but if we identify too closely, then we see the situation as not humorous. There must be some tension–but not too much–to elicit a laugh. Your observations are wonderful. Thanks for taking the time to comment.
Hi Ken!
It is never OK to laugh at others with disabilities and that is definitely not what this article is saying.
Humor Therapy is about those living with disabilities finding things in life that bring them joy and laughter, in the midst of all the pain and losses.
We may even at times, laugh at ourselves. For example, when I put the milk in the pantry instead of the refrigerator, when I put my dishes in the trash instead of the sink or when I get in the shower with my glasses on, I could be made at myself and get flustered or laugh. I choose to laugh or as they say, I will cry.
I do, because I have 3 kids with disabilities and I live with it on a daily basis.
I have CP, so my particular disability is not exactly “hidden”. This article is great. I have tried for years to get the people here at VR to lighten up by saying things about myself they would crucify most of the staff for even thinking. My favorite is “Hire the Handicapp; they’re fun to watch”. I intend to share this page with others here. I hope it helps them start to believe me when say it is better for the disabled to laugh at themselves. In my opinion, “cripple” jokes are funnier than lawyer jokes.
Len-
I celebrate your sense of humor! And you are probably very familiar with comedienne Geri Jewell, but for those who are not, take a look at brief youtube clip: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MsKZ229Gil4
She has been a pioneer in comedy–one of the first to poke fun publicly at her condition, and also demonstrate that she is a comic first, and a person with a disability second.
Thanks for taking the time to comment!
I am sorry, Len, but I would not tell jokes about people with disabilities, either, even though I am disabled myself. This article is about finding ways to find laughter in life, but not at someone else’s expense or at the expense of all living with disabilities. Hugs!
Of course, as I expressed before, I am not afraid to laugh at myself. It is a great coping mechanism and as Dr. Jeffrey Boyd says in his book, Being Sick Well, it can be healthy. Yet, I don’t make fun of others. Hope this makes sense. Hugs!
Laughter truly is a wonderful thing when one is disabled. Keeping the humor can be hard at times and I really appreciate the hints on how to find humor everyday. I look and listen to my son, age 6, and see that he (like most kids) laughs all the time at so many things. He rarely has a bad day and it’s because of joy and laughter. We forget to do that as we grow up – enjoy the moment and laugh. We should all laugh more frequently, not just those of us who have a disability, right? Right! Laughter is the best medicine for the heart and soul. The body may feel broken but one can fly when you laugh! Thank you for reminding us all of that. Truly inspiring.
Andi–
You inspire me. And how wonderful that you have a son that can serve as a reminder to see the humor and joy around you. You are truly flying. Thanks so much for sharing.
Thank you for writing this glorious article that influences positive thinking to retrain our brain through the love of laughter. Many of us first go through shock, denial, realization, depression. Some struggle with close friends and loved ones making fun of our disabilities. This leads to the feelings of being lower than dirt and thoughts programmed [in our heads] of worthlessness run through our minds through negative influences. However, your article lifts spirits and is educational. I LOVE IT!
~Hugs ~ Advocate for Success~
- Regan A.
Regan–
It can be difficult to find you humor when you are feeling low–especially when those feelings come because some you love & trust has made fun of your disability. Sometimes it is simply out of ignorance, or not knowing what to say. I am often appalled at the things that come out of people’s mouths in their efforts to be funny. I have to remind myself (sometimes with a whack upside the head) that we all do the best we can with the tools we have at the time. (Obviously some of our friends need a gift card to Home Depot!)
I am delighted that this was helpful for you and hope that I can continue to be a resource for you. Be sure to periodically check out my website or Facebook page where I try to provide both entertainment AND education.
Thanks for taking the time to write.
Your wife Sherrie is indeed lucky to have such an understanding partner in life. I’ve learned so much over the last 17 years since I was first disgnosed with an incurable, extremely painful, yet invisible disability. I certainly don’t sweat the small stuff anymore. And I see more beauty and feel more gratitude for so many things on a daily basis that busy, working, healthy people take for granted.
However, the man I believed was my soul-mate, who I met about a year prior to diagnosis; and proceeded to delay setting a wedding date for years, because I did not want him to feel trapped marrying someone who obviously had a major battle on her plate; well after he insisted on going ahead with the marriage 3 years later; now 14 years down the road… I came home to a note the other night – he had left me after 14 years and really, as far as my illness goes, I’m doing much better now than during the first 5 years.
I completely agree with everything you’ve said; and it seems like new friends and strangers find my sense of humor extraordinary these days; but I never tell them about my real life health issues. All of my 29 healthy years, I followed my heart, did what I loved and managed to support myself doing it; and hence my social life was comprised of those whom I worked with, as I did what I loved for work. Since becoming chronically ill (along with devastating psychological conditions that resulted from physical pain; i.e., PTSD, depression, narcolepsy, social anxiety, etc.) although I made valiant attempts, I was no longer able to do what I had been doing that fed my soul…so a lot of isolation resulted as well.
That’s why I say Sherri is lucky to have a supportive partner. The emotional aspects of what I dealt with, although we were married, I dealt with alone, and it was so easy for him to make me a scapegoat of his misery…although I knew better.
I don’t bring up my illness much, although it is always there, because no one really wants to know. By the same token, if you don’t mention it, people (like my parents), suddenly assume everything is fine. Humor is wonderful; and having someone to laugh with is a luxury, a blessing I hope someday I will find. Yes, there are support groups for my illness, but I stay away, as every time I’ve talked with people in those groups, it’s just a pity party, everyone talks about how awful it is and focusing on pain definitely increases pain levels.
I have new friends that have no idea of what I’ve been through and continue to go through, and I feel very close to them…although we communicate via the Internet. I have no intention of telling them about my health issues, as I love our relationship; and I’ve had too much “conditional love” in my life. Besides, no one really wants to know about that stuff…talking ablout it doesn’t help, and what I desperately want is to do the one thing I can do amazingly well, with no special exceptions or accommodations, and it’s a federal, seasonal job. I ‘ve been fortunate to get a “fill-in” position, once for 7 weeks, out of ten years of applying, and did great…and then there is a federal mandate to hire people with targeted disabilities (which I have). However, all these federal mandates do not seem to have trickled down to the hiring manger’s level at individual agencies. If I was a veteran, no problem. But the extra emphasis they are suppose to give qualified applicants with disabilities; under affirmative action; they simply are not held accountable. It has never helped me get hired, and my resume has enormous gaps in it because of my illness. But out of thousands who apply every year, I always get referred to hiring officials based on resume and qualifications. When I ask if they are familiar with the “Schedule A excepted hiring program” and they don’t know what I’m talking about; I am not about to educate the person interviewing me; as to why they are supposed to give me extra consideration, etc. This position incorporates everything I did in my life prior to getting ill; and the actually physical work involved lowers my pain levels significantly. After getting my illness/pain levels to a point where I could pursue this work, and I am legally disabled…as this is one of very few things I could do, and there are not significant numbers of these jobs in the economy…like 10-20 in the lower 48 states.
My humor comes from much of my daily life; and to be able to share with others would be an absolute blessing. I cherish every day I am alive, and not living in the unyielding pain levels where surviving minute to minute was all I was capable of. I know that this too will change eventually; but for now, I continue to reach out when I can; and treasure the friendships and the daily things that make me smile all around me.
JJ:
Thanks for sharing such a wonderful and heartfelt note. While I have not walked in your shoes, I think you are an inspiration. I especially love your closing remark: “I continue to reach out when I can; and treasure the friendships and the daily things that make me smile all around me.” Well said.
My son, who is 37 yrs old, had a malignant brain tumor removed in 2009 & is paralyzed on his right side. After some more health problems, he has lost his speech & ability to walk. He now has a power wheelchair so when he gets lost in the hospital we tell him he’s doing it on purpose so that he can find some cute nurse to help him. We have been told we have a sick sense of humor, but so what? Laughter is better than tears.
Jean–
While what you describe hardly sounds like sick humor to me, I just have to say that I am a huge fan of sick humor. And I have found in my studies and personal experience that sick humor has some wonderful benefits. Those who are not “inner circle” may not “get” the humor, but if it’s not hurting others, then I don’t see the harm. I think you are doing a wonderful service to your son showing him how to deal with challenges/stress by using humor. It isn’t the only means of dealing–but so often people overlook it altogether. Your son is lucky to have such loving parents. Thanks for sharing.
What a great article! Humor is fantastic! I laugh about my disability every day. Every day is an adventure in humor. People’s ignorant comments, inaccessible places, sidewalks without curb cuts – you gotta laugh. Life is too short, and too much fun not to laugh.
Sharon–
We are of like minds! Every day is an adventure in humor. I ask myself, “What funny thing is going on? Where is the humor?” If I look for it proactively, I am much more likely to find it. Your ability to see the humor in the everyday challenges is fantastic. Thanks for sharing your experience.
I believe that is vital information for me. And I’m satisfied reading your article. The website is great. The articles are great, too. Just the right topic! Cheers.
Thanks for taking the time to write. Let us know how we can continue to be a resource for you.
If you don’t laugh, you’re liable to cry. Thanks, Karyn and Wayne. See you at the Expo!
Tai:
It’s been a pleasure. We look forward to being a resource for you