I give no credit to AS and dislike, for me, the inference that AS deserves any credit. Its easier to foght the enemy when you have intense dislike for that enemy.
think steve's philosophy here pretty much summarizes mine.
i go by the "it is what it is", and i do what i can to live as productive a life as i can, despite this challenge. everyone i think has a cross to bear, this is mine, and comparing mine to anyone else's seems futile.
maybe because i developed this at the age of 35 and much of who i am was shaped, but never felt that this has influenced who or what i am very much. on the other hand, living with migraines, gastrointestinal woes, etc from a young age, maybe those things have given me the ability to overcome obstacles; then again, i was very "determined" from the time i can remember and may have had even more staying power if i was healthier, who knows?
i certainly don't see illness as a blessing, not when it keeps me from contributing all the positive things i have to contribute. maybe because i'm a professor and therefore my job is to be there for others, but when i am sick, i can not be there for others the way i can be when i am healthy. so no, more of a hurdle than a blessing. at least that's the way i see it for now.
