Coping with Multiple Diseases at the Same Time

Dealing With More Than One Health Problem

Good Heart Living was created by Jacqueline Mignot as a place of community, empathy, and generosity for anyone living with multiple chronic diseases.

I am sharing how I cope with Type I Diabetes, Celiac Disease, Depression, and Anxiety. The skills I have learned, and continue to learn, are helpful for anyone who is dealing with more than one health problem and who wants to envision a life with more community, empathy, and generosity.

Generosity Is Good for Your Health

I have been given the gift of generosity by many people, which has saved my life many times over. Good Heart Living is a gift of generosity for anyone who needs help - whether you are the person living will multiple illnesses, the family or friends of someone living with health conditions, or an organization or business looking for ways to support your employees.

Let me share with you how I have learned and continue to learn how to cope with the ups and the downs of living with Type I Diabetes, Celiac Disease, Depression, and Anxiety. The Good Heart Living skills and approaches I use to cope with multiple illnesses come from many sources:

• Anishiniwak (Ojibwe-Cree), Anishinaabe (Ojibwe), Dakota, Ininiw (Cree), Dene, Inuit, and Métis knowledge holders.
• Dialectical Behavior Therapy Skills created by Dr. Marsha Linehan, Ph.D.
• The resilience-focused psychology of the Circle of Courage model for behaviour developed by Dr. Martin Brokenleg, Ph.D., from the Lakota (Sioux) Nation, and his colleagues.
• My health care providers and non-profit health organizations.
• Catholic/Christian, Buddhist, Nehiyaw/Ininiw(Cree), Métis , and Dakota/Lakota(Sioux) spiritual teachings.
• My dearest and closest friends. They gave me my first sense of belonging.
• My husband's unwavering faith, his unconditional love and his optimism. He is my home.

For me Good Heart Living is practicing community, empathy and generosity which helps normalize my life with chronic illnesses. In the past, I kept my struggles and triumphs to myself because I wanted to be stoic and independent. However, stoicism and extreme independence were not working. Over the years, my health worsened and my life fell apart. I have learned, and continue learn, to be responsive and interdependent in regards to my chronic diseases. Practicing community, empathy, and generosity are my keys to living the healthiest and happiest life possible, despite my illnesses or perhaps because of my illnesses.

Testimonials