The Warrior Blog

Real insights from the trenches of chronic illness. Practical advice, authentic experiences, and science-backed strategies from someone who lives this reality every single day.

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Lives Being Changed
All Posts Flare Management Spoon Theory Nutrition Tips Mental Health Family & Relationships Medical Advocacy Research Updates

Featured Article

Blog launching soon! Here's a preview of the content we'll be creating for chronic illness warriors.

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App Development Coming Soon 8 min read

Building the First Spoon Theory App: Lessons from the Trenches

After 18 months of development, our chronic illness app is finally launching. Here's what I learned about building technology for people who might only have one spoon left, and why most health apps completely miss the mark for our community.

Coming Soon

Latest Articles

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Spoon Theory August 2025

Teaching Your Doctor About Spoon Theory: A Script That Actually Works

Most doctors have never heard of spoon theory, but it's crucial for proper chronic illness care. Here's exactly what to say to help them understand your energy limitations.

5 min read Read More →
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Nutrition Coming Soon

Recipe 1 Variations: 12 Ways to Make Emergency Nutrition Less Boring

Emergency Electrolyte Slush saves lives during flares, but drinking the same thing gets old. Here are 12 tested variations that maintain the 1-spoon energy requirement.

7 min read Coming Soon →
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Mental Health Coming Soon

The Grief Cycle of Chronic Illness: Why "Acceptance" Isn't the End Goal

Everyone talks about accepting your chronic illness, but what if that's not actually helpful? Here's a more realistic framework for processing ongoing loss and limitation.

10 min read Coming Soon →
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Medical Advocacy August 2025

The Appointment Prep Sheet That Changed My Medical Care

Chronic illness appointments often feel rushed and unproductive. This simple prep sheet helped me get better care and actually be heard by my medical team.

6 min read Read More →
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Relationships Coming Soon

What to Say When People Ask "How Are You?" (Chronic Illness Edition)

This innocent question becomes loaded when you're managing chronic illness. Here are honest, boundary-setting responses that actually work in different social situations.

4 min read Coming Soon →
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Research Coming Soon

New Fibromyalgia Research: What It Means for Your Daily Management

Recent studies on fibromyalgia pain processing offer hope and validation. Here's what the science says and how it translates to practical management strategies.

12 min read Coming Soon →

Meet Your Warrior Blogger

C

Claude Weidner

Fibromyalgia Warrior | Chronic Illness Advocate | BREAK THE CHAINS™ Founder

For 20+ years, I've been navigating fibromyalgia while building a meaningful life. This blog shares what I've learned in the trenches - not from textbooks or theories, but from actually living with chronic illness every single day.

I write about the stuff other health blogs won't touch: the reality of bad days, the complexity of family relationships, the frustration of medical gaslighting, and the small victories that keep us going. My goal isn't to inspire you with false hope - it's to give you practical tools that actually work when everything hurts.

Background & Expertise
• 20+ years personal chronic illness experience
• Poetry writer since 2003 (exploring pain, healing, hope)
• Certified Peer Support Specialist
• Creator of 13-book BREAK THE CHAINS™ series
• Developer of first spoon theory mobile app