Thread by @CynthiaMN5

Now that my social security didability application has been approved, I feel a sense of relief and hope that I will get some of the services that I need. (1)

But I grieve as well, for all the time lost since early spring of March 2013. I accept this grief as natural. I accept that I will cry and feel sadness. To tell me to cheer up while I am going through post-traumatic stress and grief is to misunderstand both. (2)

I know the grief will pass. I know how to take care of myself when I am experiencing post-traumatic stress. Everyday, I focus on all the wonderful and amzing things life as to offer - art, nature, gardening, children, bad internet memes. (3)

I see all the positives, and finally getting my social security application approved is a good thing. It will lead, I hope, to better things. But for now, there will be grief. Which is absolutely normal and understandable. (4)

So for someone in my situation, it is not helpful for you to tell me to cheer up or look at the bright side. I have made looking at the positives an act of faith and my life's work. For soneone in my situation right now, you could ask, "What can I do to help?" (5)

Please understand that I will be very sensitive - grief makes ordinary annoyances (like arguing over a refill with a phsrmacy for the 10,000th time) much more difficult. Try to be kind and gentle. If I tell that I'm sad, you don't to fix my sadness or cheer me up.Just listen. (6)

Certainly I appreciate offers of chocolate, or short walks outside. You can point out birds or tell me about your children. Just because I'm sad and grieving, this doesn't mean I'm broken or mentally ill. Grieving and acknowledging loss and change is healing for me. (7)

Medications like Effexor and Klonopin help me when I am dealing with post-traumatic stress and grief. But not everybody needs medication, and I'm definitely not saying people should take medication. I do know that kindness and understanding are incredibly helpful. (8) Thank you.

Thank you to all the people here on twitter who understand and have folders of cute animals and silly cat memes, and will debate whether chocolate ice cream is the best. Thank you to my tweeps. (9)

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