[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Welcome to “Voices from the Disability Community: – the series that introduces interesting people with various disabilities by asking the same set of questions to everyone. The point of doing that is share the diversity within the disability spectrum and experience, and get to know some cool people.
This week I’m delighted to introduce Milly Diericx to you![/vc_column_text][vc_separator color=”orange” border_width=”6″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]
Getting to Know You
- Your name: Milly Diericx
- What’s your connection with disability? I have Lupus Eritematosus Systemicus (LSE).
- Star Trek or Star Wars? Star Wars, definitely
- If you could live in any other country for 2 years, where would you go? England
- What dish would your bring to our community picnic potluck? Truffle Rissotto or flourless chocolate cake.
Now That We’ve Been Introduced…
- What do you do: I’m an Energy Therapist, hypno-therapist and author.
- How did you come to doing what you do? How has your career trajectory flowed?
I have always had an interest in healing, and in energy. Then I got diagnosed with Lupus and really got into trying out healing techniques of the alternative kind, and studying the ones that worked best for me, so I could continue to heal myself. It was a successful experiment, I got my Lupus into remission, I’m off medication and have been for about five years. After being well for a while, knowing it had stuck, I followed a friend’s advice and wrote the book about my story: the diagnosis, the disease, the things I tried, how they worked, etc. My book is a guide for those looking for better health and wellbeing to delve into the world of alternative healing with a map, my map. After all, there are a lot of things being offered out there and it can be daunting at first. Knowing someone else’s experience in the matter can be very helpful. I hope.
- Where would you like to see yourself in 5 years?
I would love to see myself speaking and writing more books, getting the message of hope for chronic illness sufferers out there, helping as many people as possible to feel better and live productive and happy lives, to thrive.
- Not to be morbid, but what do you want people to remember about you when you’ve gone?
That. That I helped some of them feel better, that my life and illness had purpose and reason.
- Who or what inspires you?
I’m inspired by people who have come back from apparently hopeless situations changed, with greater insight and a desire to be of service, like Anita Moorjani.
About Disability
1.If you could say something to yourself in the past – that is, the you that was really struggling with something related to disability – what would you say?
There is hope. Do not despair, this will get better and even be a meaningful part of your life.
- What do you like about your particular disability?
I like that it’s really tough to manage. It changes on me all the time, my body gets used to the healing techniques and goes off on tangents. It’s always evolving, and so it keeps me studying and researching, on my feet as it were. I can never take it for granted, and that keeps me growing constantly as a person.
- Any one thing that you wish people would *get* about disability?
Mainly that we don’t choose it, we are not lazy or feigning our symptoms. We might look well and still feel terrible. I would like them to get the incredible challenge we are constantly faced with, not only to survive but to try and fit in with “regular” society, and have “normal” lives. Our culture is not designed for people with disabilities and when you have them you are always a little on the outside looking in. It’s tough.
- What single piece of technology makes your life easier?
I’m not a big fan of technology, but faced with that question, I would have to say the Internet and laptops. They give me a way to communicate with others like me, even if some of them are too sick to leave their home or live in different countries. Laptops have made research and writing easier.
and…
Where else can we find you online?
- www.befriendingthewolf.com
- Facebook: @befriendingthewolf2016
- www.millydiericx.com
May the force be with you!
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Meriah Nichols is a counselor. Solo mom to 3 (one with Down syndrome, one on the spectrum). Deaf, and neurodiverse herself, she’s a gardening nerd who loves cats, Star Trek, and takes her coffee hot and black.
