Why chronic illness is not a 'battle' | Saimun Singla | TEDxGreenhouse Road

How do you handle a never-ending illness that has no cure? Unfortunately, this is the reality for many patients living with chronic disease. In this talk, pediatric rheumatologist Dr. Saimun Singla shares her personal and heartfelt story on becoming a patient of her own expertise, rheumatoid arthritis. She shows us how a high-achieving and perfectionistic mindset can often create unintended struggles and frustrations when it comes to fighting a diagnosis, and how to unlearn these traits to find acceptance.
Dr. Saimun Singla is a triple board-certified physician that specializes in pediatric rheumatology and integrative medicine. Her story is unique because she was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis after becoming an attending rheumatologist, a backwards journey that allowed her to redefine what it means to live with a chronic illness.
This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at www.ted.com/tedx

[@CaliberDawn]

The extreme fight for a solution is not that I don’t accept my disease, it’s that I haven’t found a way to make it bearable on a daily basis. I have not felt like a real person in over 15 years since I was a teen. That it’s been an uphill battle trying to get doctors to take me seriously (something she maybe hasn’t experienced as much as she’s a doctor herself creating auto “respect” from the other doctor or maybe she has). I think if ur health situation allows you to still have the job u want and enjoy life around u that’s great, but that’s not the reality for all of those with a chronic illness. It’s literally hard to sit-up at my desk so it feels kinda silly when someone asks me focus on what brings u joy, like I’m not being positive enough. You’re living at a different level when ur literally just trying to get through the day. I think her talk is great if it’s able to resonate with others and motivate them and I guess that shows the breadth of how different chronic illnesses can affect people.

[@rithikkumarc]

U wrote down my thoughts 😭 I am diagonosed with chronic eye strain. I can't do anything I love

[@ThePomskysPalace]

Omg, my Father asked my teachers of the same thing! He was a professor, an Ethiopian immigrant and did not want me to lose even a minute of study time. Now I’m a stay at home mom and love it! I was a great student but much prefer staying home with my kids. 1 day I will go back and get my PhD and follow in his footsteps but for now, I consider myself retired and spending time with my family! 🙏🏽❤️

[@hsnspc]

🩷

[@Aroobyy]

This story resonates so deeply with me as an over achieving daughter of an immigrant. I was diagnosed with Kienbock’s disease as I was starting uni and there were little to no treatments for it. I kind of ignored my diagnosis and went into denial, until I had a flare up that sent me spiralling. I took a gap year and now that I’m back in school, just trying to take it one day at a time. Thanks for this.

[@caroziel165]

Thank you so much, this hit right home! I have chronic migraine for three years now and only since I stopped fighting it, it became less severe. Still not good, but way better... All the best for you!

[@brettany_renee_blatchley]

*Thank You* My spouse and I are in our 35th year, and I have been her caregiver for most of that time (lots of autoimmune problems). This talk helps me to cope with _my own declining health_ as we age into our sixties and I am working fulltime (remote) and doing my doctoral research.

[@stepht7508]

The battle for me is getting pain medication that actually works.

[@brettany_renee_blatchley]

Doctors here refuse to prescribe it; I am trying to get into a pain clinic. I never realized _just how much energy chronic pain saps_ from you until I started to experience it.

[@billlieb.7134]

Have you tried marijuana I was om 21 precious a day now I take 2 Of course I told my doctor

[@dameanvil]

- [00:06] 📚 Early academic excellence driven by immigrant parents' work ethic. - [01:00] 💉 Personal experience of becoming a patient shifts perspective on medical practice. - [04:31] 🧠 Realization: treating personal illness is different from treating others'. - [06:03] ❌ Frustration of failing multiple medications leads to self-reflection. - [07:35] 💡 Insights: + [07:37] 🔄 Fear drives the urge to find a solution; focus on adapting to change instead. + [08:39] 🎓 No grading system for chronic illness; failure doesn't define personal journey. + [09:40] ⏳ Chronic illness is permanent; focus on finding joy in the present rather than conditional happiness. - [10:43] 🌱 Embrace acceptance and start living amidst permanent challenges.

[@scotttube]

I went thru the 5 stages of grief. It took 8 years to get to acceptance, and it is not a glorious acceptance, it is a depressed acceptance.

[@Joppi1992]

Yeah... I wrote about my own life in a post to this vid, but of course yt censored it. This video really underplays the ways chronic illnesses can negatively affect one's life in ways that for some people can't be overcome, so you have to depressingly accept it. Even the part about forming a family and so on is pure bs for some people. Plus, certain genetic diagnoses are so bad, that people would be inhumanely cruel to subject their offspring to such diagnoses, especially if it's a high risk of it.

[@vedantsridhar8378]

Thanks for the video

[@idalarsson4729]

It took me 10 years to get to somewhat of acceptance. It’s difficult when you lose control of your body. From being a doer, a hard worker to being someone that can’t work, being forced to ask for help with ordinary housework. It takes some time getting used to.

[@AspenDoesContent]

Wishing you lots of love and prayers! Hope you find happiness in life ❤❤❤

[@nmptalkshow]

Thank you Dr. Singla... I had the privilege to host her on my talk show. Very insightful.

[@johneypunnackalantony2747]

Thank you so much for your best presenting 💫💫🕊️🌹🌹🙏🙏

[@NishaManekMD]

Wonderful Talk. Shifting one's frame of mind from fighting to Acceptance. That inner game is everything!

[@Captainkukkii]

Love this bc we have the same background and im struggling to accept mine. Thank you for this.

[@bananebanane1657]

oh my god how beautiful, powerful, truthfull these words are , ❤❤❤ thank you so much

[@askcesar]

So good! ❤

[@tiganimohammed6866]

Thanks 🎉

[@ahmedomarabdallah2052]

Prayers 🙌 🙏

[@bukurie6861]

Thank you❤🤲🫠

[@sewmariela]

Yeah a bit relatable BUT has to be a word for people with the luxury to just live and be happy. What about those who are struggling to meet basic needs or don’t have support? You need more than just being happy, otherwise this is more toxic positivity…

[@sumitbhardwaj5612]

That is helpful

[@drkarenbukharibukhari9931]

Iloveprofessionals 🎉

[@drkarenbukharibukhari9931]

Iamladydrpediatriciamandgumecologist

[@ReseRain-xq9uo]

My normal a1c is 9.5. Try convincing any endo or doctor of that😂

[@billschwandt1]

My how the mighty have fallen.

[@billschwandt1]

@@brettany_renee_blatchley you are fragile.

[@abeautifuldayful]

But to rise again, first, you must fall. I've done that too much!

[@abeautifuldayful]

@@brettany_renee_blatchley And we all fall after our summers.

[@billschwandt1]

@@abeautifuldayful amen.

[@drkarenbukharibukhari9931]

Iamdiagnosedwithfirsttimewithdmmody2inuk2024

[@user-yz2kr8hk8q]

Somali haday halkan jogto waa idin salameYy😫🫡🇸🇴😂

[@KiKiQuiQuiKiKi]

🤮

[@kat2024-wy3jq]

See the work of Dr. Joe Dispenza. Often times this kind of condition can be healed.