Three Things I am Thankful For in my Health Activism

This months blog carnival has us thinking about 3 things that we are thankful for in our Health Activism. I'm not sure I can narrow it down to three, but I'm going to try.

1. The Internet: When I first learned that my son had multiple food allergies, information and support were scarce. I went straight to the internet and started looking for (and finding!) information to help me feed him and keep him alive. I'm so thankful for The Baby Center Food Allergy Board where I "met" so many wonderful and knowledgable Mom's that helped me to navigate these muddy waters in the beginning and showed me what it was to be a Health Activist even if they themselves didn't know they were one. I'm also thankful for Blogger. This free blogging site gave me a place to start talking and once I started talking about food allergies and asthma the flood gates opened up and have yet to close. This is where I really got my Health Activist start and it was all by accident. I mentioned the food allergies and asthma and the community found me and took me in. I'm also thankful for all of the other wonderful bloggers that I've met along the way. They've taught me so much and given me so much support that I don't think I could have made it without them. Add Twitter and Facebook to this list to round it out.

2. WEGO Health: WEGO Health actually told me I was a Health Activist (who knew?) and introduced me to a whole world of other Health Activists. I've learned so much from the members here. I've learned about Slactivism and how I have contributed to it and how not to do it again. I've learned to respect others opinions even if they don't mesh with my own. I've learned that even though we don't have the same health concerns, Health Activists are really working for the same common goal and that we can still help each other. WEGO Health helped give me my HA voice and it's definitely given me a place to share it.

3. My Family: Being a Health Activist doesn't come without compromise. The time I spend on the computer doing research or sharing information is time that I'm not spending with my family. It's hard to find balance sometimes and there are times the family life suffers. But my family is always very understanding and always supportive. They are my cheerleaders. They are always there to lift me up when I am down, to cheer for me when I've done good, and to be my inspiration when I don't think that I can keep going.