ChronicBabe 101: How to Craft an Incredible Life Beyond Illness

by Jenni Grover

Are you struggling to reclaim your identity after getting sick? Frustrated with relationships that have gone sour, or a career that’s stalled out? Ready to feel more savvy, sexy, and confident as you navigate your chronic illness journey?It’s time to learn how to be a ChronicBabe! This course-in-a-book contains ten lessons in essential areas that women with chronic illness need to address in order to craft a life beyond chronic illness - to become more than professional patients. Through personal stories, expert interviews, encouraging exercises, and hundreds of resources, author Jenni Grover teaches sick chicks how to become total babes!Jenni was 25 when her world was turned upside down by fibromyalgia, anxiety, asthma, and a handful of other chronic conditions. She has used her experience to build an online community for women with chronic illness who want to be more than professional patients—who want to feel empowered despite serious illness. Since 2005, Jenni has taught thousands of women how to take charge of their lives through her website, videos, and speeches around the world. In ChronicBabe 101, she schools you on relationships, career, emotional well-being, sexuality, personal organization, and so much more.Lessons in the book It All Starts with Learning to Practice Acceptance - Learn to Kick Those Bad Habits to the Curb - It’s Time to Turn Around Negative Thinking- Establish Healthy Boundaries to Create Confidence- Learn to Love Your Body Again- Build Your “Team” to Maximize Support- Strengthen Personal Relationships to Weave a Safety Net- Adapt Your Education and Career to Boost Success- Become a Talented Communicator- Get Tips, Tricks, Tools, and SystemsExperts interviewed in ChronicBabe 101 Toni Bernhard, author of How to Be A Buddhist-Inspired Guide for the Chronically Ill and Their Caregivers- Caryn Feldman, Ph.D., clinical psychologist at the Shirley Ryan Ability Lab (formerly Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago) Center for Pain Management- Kerri Morrone Sparling, award-winning chronic illness advocate in the diabetes community and creator of the SixUntilMe blog...and many more!

Genres: Nonfiction, Health, Self Help, Adult

290 pages, Paperback

First published September 3, 2017

Reviews

[Ariane · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read for anyone learning to live with chronic illness - or anyone who’s due for a refresher course (and I’m not just saying that because the author has become an online friend!) This is the book I wish I had especially in my late teens and 20s as I was figuring out how to navigate adult life while getting progressively sicker. I especially loved the parts on relationships, and navigating the medical system.

[Elle Barrett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Being diagnosed with multiple chronic illnesses, I was in a superrr depressed / hopeless state over it all and honestly? This book gave me hope again. Hope that I can have a good life, I just have to adjust my version of a good life a little. If you have any chronic illnesses, I highly recommend this book!!!

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

ChronicBabe 101 is set up like a lesson plan for babes with chronic health conditions, touching on subjects such as combating negative thinking, building a support team, and school or work challenges. Intertwined with the lessons are interivews with both medical experts who serve as a reminder of the importance of a two-way street relationship with health care providers and expert patients who serve as examples on how to build a life that is full of joy and fulfillment in spite of chronic conditions.

All of this is done in Jenni's unique and innovative way of empowering those with chronic conditions to live life "as well as posssible".

(Disclosure: I received a free copy of this book as part of supporting the fundraiser that allowed the author to complete the book and its companion website.)

[Marsha · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book could be great. It had excellent reviews but some things turned me off. There were many cases where it seemed as if all the tools came straight from Buddhism. If that is your spiritual path then this book is for you. Since I am not Buddhist if I had known there was so much Buddhism I would not have purchased the book. Also, the personal stories at the end of the chapter were from the perspective of caregivers and not from people actually dealing with chronic illness. I don't want hear from caregivers. I thought this was a different book. Also, the interviews at the end of chapters were also with Buddhists which again if I knew about this I would not have bought this book.

[Daisy Mz Moxie if you're Nasty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lots of amazing information

Not your average chronic illness book, full of how to "cure" yourself bullshit! This was a breath of fresh air to read. Jenni tells it like it is! It felt like talking with a good friend who just GETS IT! So packed full of helpful advice on how to adjust to life's many challenges that one with chronic illness. I bookmarked and highlighted SO many useful resources and advice.in this book. Along the way I found a lot of acceptance in my own diagnosis. This book is a true 💎 Gem!

[Myrti Freitas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome, Jenni!!! What a pick-me up read! I have had chronic migraine for about 25 years and learned sooo much! Thanks for the humor and tons of resources!!! I took lots of notes as I was reading. You gave me the nudge that I needed to get back to crafting jewelry and quilts again! I have been close, but now feel motivated! Thanks again!

[Britta · Rating 4 out of 5]

A splendid mix of journalism, feminist wisdom and real world advice. Empowering and thoughtfully crafted.

[Blair Broughton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredible book about learning to live as well as you can while being gentle with yourself. You can still get to your goals with some adjustments. This is wonderful!

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars.