Invisible Illness Week Features Free Online Workshops About Education and Career

Many people who live with a chronic illness may feel like their education or career is over upon a diagnosis. It doesn’t have to be. National Invisible Chronic Illness Awareness Week, September 10-16, 2007, is featuring three of twenty free online chat workshops at www.invisibleillness.com that specifically address one’s education and career. Nearly one in two people live with chronic illness, so it impacts both careers and education of millions of people.

“Going Back to School When You Have a Chronic Illness” is being presented by Lynn C. Royster, Ph.D., Director of the Chronic Illness Initiative at DePaul University’s School for New Learning. Royster is the founder of this unique program designed to help chronically ill students obtain a college education. Students even have the option to earn an undergraduate degree without ever visiting campus.

“Don’t Be Invisible: Workplace Success with Invisible Chronic Illness” is a workshop led by Rosalind Joffe, Founder of CIcoach.com and keepworkinggirlfriend.com. Joffe, a nationally recognized expert, has been heard on National ABC Radio, Boston Business Radio and Heathtalk.com. She also has over thirty years of personal experience living with auto immune chronic illnesses, including multiple sclerosis, bringing a distinctive service to those who wish to keep working.

“Building a Business Vision While Honoring and Accommodating Your Health” is the topic of Trish Robichaud, Maximum Life Coach and founder of changingpaces.com who also lives with multiple sclerosis. Trish shares, “As a coach, my passion in life is to motivate and empower people to unleash their full potential. My goal is to help them define and achieve their maximum life in spite of a chronic health condition that challenges them on a daily basis.”

Workshops are free chat sessions, Sept 10-14, 2007. See dates and times at www.invisibleillness.com. Guests will present for about forty minutes and then accept questions from attendees. Transcripts will be available in October. Many guests are donating free items or services.

National Invisible Chronic Illness Awareness Week was founded in 2002 by Lisa Copen, author of “Beyond Casseroles: 505 Ways to Encourage a Chronically Ill Friend.” It is held annually in September and is sponsored by HopeKeepers Magazine and Rest Ministries, Inc.

The 2007 theme is “Invisible Illness is a roller coaster. Help a friend hold on!” T-shirts, silicone bracelets and more awareness items are available. Chronique Couture, a company that has stylish items such as whimsical walker bags or sharps containers, is an additional sponsor for 2007.