Chronic Bits 

Ever wonder if you're using the correct language to describe someone with a disability? Even here at ChronicBabe HQ we sometimes wonder if we're choosing the best words. Michael Gerber writes movingly (at Disaboom.com) about the language of disability (and handicaps, and accessibility, and more).

President Obama's Supreme Court pick Sonia Sotomayor has diabetes, and all the world's a-flurry about it. A couple articles we like: Amy Tenderich at Diabetes Mine talks about "our teachable moment" (always love a call to action) and the Daily Kos calls Time magazine to task for asking if her disease will be a handicap (sheesh!). We're psyched a ChronicBabe is nominated and we're seeing lots of discussion...hopefully the result will be more education. Just sayin'.

The May How to Cope with Pain blog carnival is posted, including a feature from ChronicBabe. Good reading, Babes!

Grand Rounds, the best of the medical blogosphere, is fresh at Healthcare Technology News—with a focus on health care reform (awesome!). Good reading, Babes!

If you've ever wanted to evolve from your physical body because it, well, kinda sucks (we feel you!) then you MUST read this Dinosaur Comic (published May 20) forthwith. Enjoy!

And Editrix Jenni is learning that every day, with the help of some pretty darn smart friends. Check out her latest post at Be Here Now and see if it helps you remember to practice mindfulness, too.

Crowdsourding in action! With more than 150 entries in the 2009 DiabetesMine Design Challenge, this year's contest is chock full of awesome ideas. Amy Tenderich did such a great job and you'll love (and be surprised!) by some of the winners!

WebMD reports that in limited, short-term use, yes—but its long-term effects are still not completely understood and more research is needed.

Tiny, implantable thingy that takes care of chronic pain? Sign me up, says Jenni the Editrix. We're sci-fi buffs here at ChronicBabe HQ so we're not afraid of a little implantable technology. Thanks for the tip, MedGadget!

Lynne Matallana, president of the National Fibromyalgia Association (NFA), will be the featured guest on a Women’s Health segment on OC Family Radio. Lynne will provide a brief overview of fibromyalgia and give an update on the latest research and treatment options during the half-hour show, which airs live Monday, May 18, beginning at 12:30pm CST.

The Health Blog Observatory hosts Grand Rounds today, with the theme of diversity. Lots of great posts to check out!

Dan Ariely talks at a TED conference about intuition, pain (and a pain suit!), why some of us cheat sometimes and much more. The analogy to pain management is a doozy. A fascinating 17 minutes of time, Babes.

Good thing we have so many awesome ChronicBabes to let us know what's going on! Babe Stacy reminded us that it's National Neuropathy Week. Each day has some great advocacy opportunities...

How will you "celebrate" it? How about heading over to the National Fibromaylgia Association to check out all the latest resources they offer. Good stuff, Babes!

Editrix Jenni Prokopy is incredibly honored to be one of 20 women inducted into the first year of Women's Health Heroes, sponsored by Our Bodies, Our Blog. Special thanks to our pal Cinnamon Cooper for the nomination, and big congrats to Audience Choice winner (and ChronicPal!) Lisa Copen of Rest Ministries. And thanks to all of you who voted, too! Check out all the nominees—almost 100 women, all doing incredible work for women's health.

No Pity City, that is. If you're looking to share a funny or thought-provoking message about your illness, check out their big selection of t-shirts. There are also some cool tricks for adapting bikes and other equipment. We like.

Read this terrific article on life with MS from Women's International Perspective. What a terrific perspective!

...it's not super thrilling, but the concept of MediClim is. Check out the news clip and then check out their free service!

If you don't vote for us, vote for SOMEONE because there are so many deserving women! But if you love what we do, then please take a moment to vote for ChronicBabe in the Women's Health Heroes awards, sponsored by Our Bodies, Our Blog. Thanks, Babes!

Editrix Jenni's Be Here Now experiment has been a big hit so far. It started off as a month-long blog called Being Here, and she wrote about it on ChronicBabe.com...but the response has been so positive she's just going to keep on doing it even though the month is up! So join us...it's simple and fun.

Grand Rounds is fresh at AusMed: The Health Care Educators. Get your generous serving of nutritious health blogging, Babes!

Oh noes! This is bad news for ChronicBabes who like their java. What about Editrix Jenni, who only drinks decaf? We'll have to wait and see. Check out more drug-free depression treatment methods from Organized Wisdom.

Stuck for ideas to improve your day-to-day? Check out Zen Habits, a site we just stumbled upon chock full of excellent, practical ideas you can start putting into place today. Namaste!

There are just a couple days left to vote for ChronicBabe in the Women's Health Heroes awards, sponsored by Our Bodies, Our Blog. We're so close to being at the top—help us make it by casting your vote! Thanks, Babes!

As always, Street Anatomy offers us some gorgeous anatomical love . Blush!

...talkin' about asthma and one of her fave new tech tools, MediClim. Tune in at 10pm central time and try not to laugh too hard. If you miss it, we'll publish the link soon after. (We know, you're just ACHING to see Jenni talk about asthma. Control yourselves!)