Valerie’s second part of her first Diary recording ‘I refuse to be defined by my illness’

Valerie Blumenthal again. I cut myself short a few moments ago because I forgot a word that I needed. And I wanted to say that I refuse to be defined by my illness. It is very important that I hang on to my own identity. I do not feel sorry for myself. I would rather focus on what I can do than what I can’t. But nonetheless sometimes it makes me sad thinking of who I was. Indeed I still am that person. But it is a different kind of me. And I want to be honest and I do not want to get morbid or self pity. But sometimes one can’t help it. I have a lovely family and I have a German shepherd dog and a little cat. And it is all very harmonious and I count myself lucky. I suppose I have done my two minutes stint now so I had better reign myself in. And I am not sure if I am doing this right. Well there isn’t a right or wrong. It just feels a bit unnatural for me. I shall try to not be self-conscious and will have another go another time. Bye.