Is friendship important to you? How has friendship impacted your life?

The International Day of Friendship is a day that was proclaimed in 2011 by the United Nations based on the recognition of the relevance and importance of friendship as a noble and valuable sentiment in the lives of human beings around the world and with the idea that friendship between peoples, countries, cultures and individuals can inspire peace efforts and build bridges between communities.

In spirit of this day, we thought it would be fun to create a discussion based on the recognition of the importance of friendship.

Please share and discuss with others the importance of friendship to you. How has a friend made an impact in your life? How have friends helped your or been there for you with your condition?

My friend isthe only I feel who understands my illness because she listens to me and suffers from something similar.

Hey y'all, I am loving this conversation as I don't really have friends to speak of other than really aquantices.

With my Lupus and other issues it's hard to really find someone who gets you.  I now have what looks like Psorysis on my mouth and chin and have developed sore on my head.  These are new symptoms of the Discord (skin) part of Lupus.  I look like something that would be scare people... really.  I wear a surgical mask when I go out in public because people stare.  It looks horrible and as a soon to be 60 year old woman, I'm ashamed for people to see me even though I know it's not my fault, I can't stop wondering what's next.

This site is where I find friendships.  From people who get what I'm talking about.

God bless my family but they just don't get it.  I'm so tired of hearing well you look fine, now I guess I don't have to worry about that now.  My doctor said it should be temporary that I just needed to be still and not just physically but mentally, and in every other way.  I guess I internalize my feelings but I don't realize I'm doing it.  

So for me, this site and everyone on it, are my friends and family.  

If we see each other and respect what each of us are going through, I believe that we can provide love, support and help by what helps us.  To me friends are people who support you and listen and try to help extended family for me.  I try to keep drama out of my life as I don't like it so for me I try to keep good thoughts in my head and Know it will be okay but I would like everyone reading this message to know that if you want to talk, I'm here.  Sometimes it takes me a bit to respond due to my limited availabilities but rest assured I will get back to you.

God bless each of you on your personal journeys and know this site is awesome and has so much to offer, and friendship is a big part of it.

Take care my friends and have a wonderful healthy day.😊🙏👋

@naturalremedygurl I am so sorry you are feeling like that. I understand how you feel with having a condition that causes people to stare, as with my MS, my walking is different and noticeable. But do not let that discourage you... I have come to realize that people tend not to stare because of bad intentions but more of curiosity. Although it is definitely not polite, from listening to others experiences on "staring"it helped me think of it differently... as perhaps we think occurs more than it may and it also helped me know that we are not alone. Here is the link to the discussion that I am talking about. I hope it helps. I stumbled across it when I searched a related term.

I too have gained a lot of friendships from Carenity... even if it is just through messaging. It helps me. My family is supportive and caring and I do have some really good friends, but also, at the same time, I understand that my condition can be draining on others, so I do tend to spend more time in solitude than a years ago when my condition was not as progressed / before diagnosis. 

The friends and family do help a great deal, though. Especially when it comes to needing assistance on days when I am physically and mentally drained but have things that need to be done... even if it is just phone calls.

We have a great group of great people so far. 

When I had my stroke, my good friend really stepped up and helped me. However, many of my other friends were willing to help in the beginning but now they do not reach out to me much. It is good to have a good friend that really cares for you and is willing to help. My friendship with my good friend is one that did keep me going. He along with my family did push me.

Good friends are there when you need them. But you have to be a good friend for them too. I remind myself of that sometimes when I'm feeling grouchy because of my condition 

I have 2 very good friends one who visits me and takes me to all my appointments the other helps me to tidy and go through my things they are wonderful friends and show me the true meaning of friendship if i need a moan or just to help 

I hide my symptoms from friends. I don’t want to be defined by my illness. That alone isolates a person.

Friends, (true friends) are important but there’s always room for more. ☺️

I only have a couple people in my life that I call friends.  The rest are just people I've worked with, or had to be around for some other reason.  Acquaintance's they call them.   Of Course,  I have my children and my hubby.   Real friends are harder to come by.   When you find them though hold on.  Real friends are needed because not all things can be understood by family.