Jen's Solitude, From New Jersey, 458 Fans, 95 Hubs, Joined 14 months ago
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Norah Casey interviews Jen's Solitude
A good listener shares her struggles and why Hubbing is rewarding to her
Thank you for participating in this interview! Tell us a bit about your background. Where did you grow up? What are your hobbies and interests?
It’s my pleasure Norah. My family moved from Philadelphia, PA when I was 8 years old, so New Jersey has been my home for most of my life. I grew up in a family of 5. I am the middle child of 3 daughters. I have always been a curious person who enjoys learning new things and listening to the views of others. I think that comes from being very shy and withdrawn as a child. I remember loving it when I got to sit with the adults and just listen to them talk back and forth. I made many observations about human nature even at an early age and I believe it is where I first learned the tools that would eventually give me the reputation of being a good listener, later in life.
You write great Hubs on a wide range of topics. Are there any Hubs that stand out to you as the most meaningful or one that you are particularly proud of?
I suppose my most meaningful hubs would be those that have helped the most people. I receive the most e-mail about the hubs I have written about MS. My aim was to provide the type of information I search for. I am still very touched when I receive e-mail thanking me for being willing to discuss so many different types of MS related subjects. I must also add, however, that I am still very surprised that the hub I wrote about food auctions receives so much attention. It was a subject that interested me, but I never knew it would also interest so many other people.
In one of your recent Hubs, you said "(MS sufferers) don't want to be known because we have MS, we want the other parts of our personality to shine through." What part of your personality do you find it the most difficult to convey to others as you deal with Multiple Sclerosis?
Wow, great question, Norah! I suppose my inquisitive side is most hidden from others due to MS. I am not able to be the type of friend I have always wanted to have. Early on, the first 10 years or so, I was still able to be involved in the lives of those I care about, and to demonstrate my friendship in tangible ways, but as the symptoms progressed I found myself less and less able to interact on a meaningful level. I appear quiet and reserved for the most part when in truth I’m not. First impressions are quite deceiving and it is mainly because of the toll MS takes on my strength and energy that I believe the first impression I give is that of a quiet, reserved person. It takes a bit of time for new friends to realize that is not who I am below the MS surface.
How did you decide on your HubPages username?
Well, my middle name is Jenny, which was also my paternal grandmother’s first name. Writing always makes me feel at peace, so it was either Dar’s Solitude or Jen’s Solitude. I figured Dar could be recognized which I wasn’t ready for when I first started out so I opted for Jen’s Solitude. Not very creative, but that was my thinking process.
You said in your Cat Person hub that the only thing that scares you more than cats are mice. Do you have any other fears? (If it makes you feel better, I'm afraid of balloons!)
I certainly do! And yes your fear of balloons does make me feel better, so thanks for sharing that with me. (smile) In order of importance it goes DENTISTS, NEEDLES, MICE, and CATS. They are my biggest fears, I won’t bore you with a complete list, I’ll just provide you with the most challenging fears I face.
As I understand it, one of the major symptoms of a MS flare-up is severe exhaustion. When dealing with extreme fatigue, how do you keep yourself from hopeless boredom?
Well, for me the most disabling and crippling symptom is severe exhaustion. MS behaves differently for everyone so others may be able to cope with the exhaustion but lose the ability to walk, for example. Fatigue has been my constant companion since early on in my diagnosis. Every year it worsens and I find myself wondering how I will spend my day if I can’t eventually get the fatigue to stabilize. I love to read, to write, listen to music, and play my guitar. If I’m too tired for those activities, I settle for looking at television or watching my extensive DVD collection. If I’m too tired for even those activities, it is time for me to head to the neurologist! I have learned how to conserve my energy and use it judiciously. I can’t always do what I want, but I have learned to be satisfied with those rare occasions when a little energy is all I need to accomplish something important to me or to my family. I think that keeps me from feeling hopeless boredom on a continual basis.
What hubs are you most interested in? Any favorite Hubbers you would like to mention?
Hmmm, I don’t know that I have any major topic of interest. For example, I enjoy nothing more than using Hubpages Hopper on a regular basis because of the variety it presents. Anything written well or written with humor interests me as long as it is G or PG rated and of course does not go contrary to my personal beliefs. I also enjoy reading anything that teaches me something new. I have so many favorites here now that I will never be able to keep up with all that is sent to me daily. I suppose I do scan for certain names and make sure to read the hubs of ethel smith, fishtiger, MFB, emohealer, connie smith, Tammy Lochmann, BKCreative, Paradise 7, Rochelle Frank, Arthur Gulumian, Jon Green, GarnetBird, LizzyBoo, KT Banks, Linda Myshrall. Likewise I have a list of hubbers who haven’t published anything for 3 months or more but who are still names I would instantly click on if they were to publish. Then there are my list of new friends which constantly get added, such as Norah Casey. Last but not least all the hubbers who are well known for their forum posts and teaching hubs. I read what they have to say as soon as possible as well. So this is just a sampling of the hubs and hubbers I read regularly.
Time for a random, hypothetical question! Say you are offered a job commentating for a major broadcasting network on a sport of your choice. Which sport would you choose and why?
Well your hypothetical question is the toughest one yet, Norah. I truly love many different types of sports. Since I am no longer able to engage in physical activity the way I did before MS entered my life, I live vicariously through other athletes who tackle sports as a profession. I suppose if I could only pick one sport to cover, it would be men’s golf. Before Tiger entered the picture, I developed an interest in the sport and it can still keep my attention even long after my husband has fallen asleep with boredom. This was a blast Norah, thanks for the opportunity to answer such interesting questions!
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