The unfortunate reality of many invisible illnesses is that they lay you out, flat. Pain, fatigue and other symptoms can mean a huge allotment of time can only be spent on the couch. Many illnesses cause disability to the extent that it hampers one's ability to hold a job-- the couch becomes the main resting perch as days melt into each other until the next medical appointment. Pain holds you hostage, and it's easy to let innumerable couch-locked days pass you by in a fatigued stupor. But this cycle of nothingness can breed depression, loneliness, and a feeling that you're wasting your life.
Obviously there are times when we don't need to be on the couch, and all of us with chronic pain take those days and run with them. Conversely, there are days when couch-productivity is going to be nill-- days when the pain is 9 out of 10 high and you're incoherent, there's no way you should even try to do more than exist through it. But many days, when the pain is high enough to trap you but you've still got a modicum of mental clarity, it's possible (but not always easy) to be really productive while sitting on your couch. Here are some of my favorite (thus necessarily, free) resources to help you learn, create, and better yourself from the pain-addled discomfort of your davenport.
1. That college class you always wanted to take, but never had time to fit in your schedule? Chances are, you'll be able to find it on iTunes U. From the iTunes Store menu in iTunes, there's a link for iTunes U in the upper right corner. From there, an interface introduces you to a world of totally free college lectures and courses. Many big-name universities (think MIT, Harvard, etc.) have a plethora of classes ripe for the listening. Some come with video or a PowerPoint, others are simply audio tracks. iTunes U is a great way to enrich your brain from your chair when you're not capable of much else.
2. The great Classic novels that you always felt you had an obligation to read are available from Project Gutenberg. Like their namesake, Johannes Gutenberg, father of the printing press, Project Gutenberg's aim is to help spread the written word to the masses. These eBooks are free (at least in the US) because their copyright has expired. They also offer a number of free audiobooks, read by person or by computer, if reading isn't an option for you.
3. Learn some of the peer-reviewed scientific research for your medical condition through the National Institute of Health's research database, PubMed. When you really want to go to your doctor with specific research about a
symptom you're experiencing, this is the place to get it. Knowing more about your condition is empowering, but some private websites have a heavy bias and can present you with inaccurate information. The scientific community helps guard against inaccurate information by presenting studies to a large group of scientists who can all help verify the results and validity of the study. If it passes the muster, it gets put on PubMed. PubMed is also invaluable for seeing what sort of research your doctors may be involved in-- you just search their name. This can help identify what areas your doctor specializes in and often a general feel for their preconceptions about patients.
4. Become a master in retouching photos and basic graphic design with the Gimp. "Gimp" stands for GNU Image Manipulation Program, which is a long way of saying "Linux-based free photosho0p." The layout is a bit more rudimentary than the proprietary image manipulation software, but still has all the same capabilities. For those who don't know where to start, there's a plethora of websites that offer tutorials, like Gimp Tutorials and Gimpology.
5. Explore the universe through NOVA documentaries provided by PBS. There are documentaries covering a wide range of interests, all with interviews and research from top experts. Episodes are usually about an hour, and packed with good knowledge. They're fascinating, often visually stunning, and allow you to just sit back and absorb the information. Perfect for days when you need something intellectually satisfying but really can't do much at all.
P.S. Apologize for general lack of online presence. My illness has made it hard for me to do much typing. I started this post in August-- phooey on me for telling you all about productivity!
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