Chronic Illness Mentor Program
If you see little to no hope in living your life, in a way that you value, with chronic pain and illness please reach out to us. This program has been designed to meet the needs of someone who is newer to being ill, or whose illness has worsened. If you are really struggling you are not alone. From sharing small organizational tips that will make your daily life easier to finding joy and happiness in your life, your mentor has a lot to offer.
Our Mentors are patients just like you who have over time learned to live with their illness. They will listen. They can tell you what things they have found helpful in their own life and they will guide you to finding a life you value.
THIS IS YOUR LIFE AND EVERYBODY HAS THE RIGHT TO LIVE A LIFE THEY VALUE
What is mentoring?
Mentoring is most often defined as a relationship in which an experienced person (the mentor) assists another (the mentee) in developing specific skills and knowledge that will enhance the less-experienced person’s professional and personal growth.
What does a mentor do? The following are among the mentor’s functions:
- Teaches the mentee about a specific issue
- Coaches the mentee on a particular skill
- Facilitates the mentee’s growth by sharing resources and networks
- Challenges the mentee to move beyond his or her comfort zone
- Creates a safe learning environment for taking risks
- Focuses on the mentee’s total development
Goals of the Chronic Illness Mentor program
The mentee will be gradually working towards the goal of leading a life you are content with during your illness.
Stage one: will establish trust between the mentee and mentor and give the mentee a chance to voice some of the difficulties thus far to an empathetic listener. Once trust is established the mentor will guide you through your emotions about being ill, your frustration at not being able to do the things you were before and help you work through all of these emotions in a healthy manner.
Stage two: the mentor will share some of their experiences with the mentee. The mentee will learn that upset does not equal failure, chronic illness and chronic pain is not easy, but you CAN life a life you value. Issues such as doctors, pharmacists and other sources of help will be discussed. At the end of stage two, if both agree progress has been made, the mentee will have some time to work on their own. The mentor will be available through this time as needed.
Stage three: the relationship between mentor and mentee will find a more equal footing. Mentor and mentee will discuss future plans.
After the hard work is done, the mentor and mentee will conduct an “exit interview” and both can decide how to continue with your new friendship.
Would you like to Mentor someone with your illness? In just a few minutes every few days, as your time and health allows, you can lead someone to living a life they value. You can use all the knowledge you have gained over the years to help another.
Would you like to have a Mentor, with your illness, to help you adjust to your illness and guide you to living a life you value? Not sure you can get there? Not to worry, this is a small investment of your time and just being able to speak with another person who shares your illness willing to listen and offer comfort. We care about you and how you are doing because we are all patients and caregivers just like you.