The Walking Dead, Chronic Pain and Sharing Stories

When I ran the Twitter account for Undead Walking, I noticed that quite a few The Walking Dead fans were chronic pain sufferers of some sort. I wondered there was something about the show that spoke to us or if it was just a coincidence the way you notice things like the people that drive the same car as you.

Anyway, as the Twitter person for Undead, I shared things more readily than I might in my normal life, because it's part of building a community. People want to connect with you. I was used to this from my work as a teacher. The kids want to connect to you in a personal way through the subject.

It's not that you open up inappropriately or overly focus on yourself; kids make fun of those teachers who go on tangents constantly about their kids and their own lives. But you have to allow your personality to show through and involve them and let them see you as a person.

Most of my Twitter life involves people I met because of The Walking Dead. But we talk about other things at times, too. When I started my personal blog about my life changes and personal fitness journey, I did it for myself. I didn't set out to write at any certain times. I just write a post when I think of a topic that has been bouncing around in my head and I think it has enough to it to devote a few paragraphs.

I never intended to share it on my Twitter. I write them for myself. But I did share them on Twitter. I don't know how many people read them and I don't care if people scroll by and don't read them. But I'm truly surprised and touched by the handful of people who have messaged me or Tweeted me about their own stories because of my blog and thanked me or asked me questions.

There are people who have chronic pain that don't want other Twitter people to know. There are people who are just out there losing weight and don't share it on Twitter but have been sharing it with me through messages. And there are people with pain who are just happy that they feel like they can talk about it a little, too and not feel like they have to keep it to themselves all the time because they know I mention it.

Chronic pain sufferers are often seen as complainers and whiners. I never want to be seen as a whiner, but I don't want to hide, either.

My trainer has done something amazing for me in just these last few months and I hope to work with him and be his friend for a long time to come. Maybe in my own small way, I can do something for some people by sharing my stories.