Send us a textSummary:Dr. Maureen Michele Petersen discusses her book 'Reclaiming Life, A Guide for Parents of Chronically Ill Children' and the motivation behind writing it. She shares her personal experiences as a mother advocating for her chronically ill child and the importance of effectively disagreeing with medical professionals. We talk about advocacy and how to get curious when a patient isn’t confident with what the doctor is saying.She also highlights the power of journaling, gratitude, and exercise in maintaining mental and emotional well-being. The conversation concludes with a discussion on ending the stigma surrounding invisible conditions.Takeaways:Emotional Healing Through Writing: Dr. Petersen discusses the therapeutic process of writing her book and how documenting her family's journey provided significant emotional healing for herself, and aims to assist others going through similar experiences.Advocating for a Chronically Ill Child: Dr. Petersen emphasizes the importance of advocacy in the healthcare setting, sharing her insights as both a physician and a parent. She offers valuable advice on how to communicate effectively with medical professionals without entering conversations as confrontations but rather as collaborative discussions. Disagreements with medical professionals can be approached as conversations rather than battles, fostering trust and partnership. Advocacy requires courage and curiosity, both for parents advocating for their children and patients advocating for themselves.The Power of Emotional Control: We discuss the significance of managing emotions when advocating for a loved one. Dr. Petersen reflects on her experiences and stresses the importance of approaching situations with curiosity and an open mind to facilitate constructive dialogue.Asking for and Accepting Help: A key theme is the challenge caregivers face in asking for help. Dr. Petersen discusses the importance of acknowledging when support is needed and how accepting help can be a strength, not a weakness. This also allows others the opportunity to contribute positively to your journey.Personal Growth and Resilience: Dr. Petersen shares her journey towards personal growth and resilience, learned through the challenges of her daughter's health issues. She talks about the importance of self-care, including maintaining a morning routine, journaling, and exercising, to manage stress and avoid feeling overwhelmed.This episode offers a profound look into the complexities of caring for someone with a chronic illness, providing practical advice, emotional support, and encouragement for caregivers to advocate effectively and take care of themselves in the process.Dr. Maureen Michele Petersen - BioMaureen Michele Petersen, MD is an award-winning leader, life coach, author, and physician. Support the showThanks for listening, I appreciate you! Support the Show: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/timreitsma Website: invisiblecondition.com Subscribe: invisiblecondition.com/subscribe Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4kDTQ9eTFpWFDID9vsXFxW Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-invisible-condition-podcast/id1703432562 Social Media Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/invisible_condition/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Invisible_Condition

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