Naked Realities

<p class=ql-align-center><strong>Poetic Reflections</strong></p><p class=ql-align-center><strong>about the Naked Realities of</strong></p><p class=ql-align-center><strong>Living with an Invisible Chronic Illness</strong></p><p class=ql-align-center><br></p><p class=ql-align-center><strong>Accompanied by iconic paintings</strong></p><p class=ql-align-center><strong>from history's celebrated artists</strong></p><p><br></p><p><strong>Welcome</strong></p><p>Your arriving on this page suggests you're managing a complex illness or know someone who is. </p><p><br></p><p>Please note: <strong>Naked Realities</strong> is a no-holds-barred look at chronic illness. There is no sugar coating within these pages. </p><p><br></p><p>Those of us living with any of the complex illnesses such as me/cfs fibromyalgia Lyme or long covid are grouped under the moniker 'the millions missing.' We have grown to become a considerable throng of people whose disability makes it challenging to be seen and heard.</p><p><br></p><p>If you are one of us these reflections are for you. </p><p><br></p><p>This book delves into five themes:</p><p>•    Living with chronic disease</p><p>•    Living with symptoms</p><p>•    Living with people</p><p>•    Living with loss</p><p>•    Living with curiosity</p><p><br></p><p>An iconic painting from one of history's celebrated artists accompanies each poetic reflection. The writings speak to the realities and hardships of living with a disability while the paintings through their beauty celebrate the restorative acts of resting and sleep. </p><p><br></p><p>These reflections arose to help remind us that each breath breathed is a breath of life and possibility. May this book<em> </em>help you grapple with what has come crashing into your world and give you language to communicate your experience with others. Let's together explore the naked realities of living day-to-day with a long-haul condition. </p><p><br></p><p><strong>I wish you the best in your health marathon.</strong></p><p><strong>--The Missing Neighbor</strong></p>