Author Archives: mamasick

About mamasick

Emily Cullen is a pen-name. I suffer from chronic illnesses and diseases which include Bipolar Disorder, Asthma, Diabetes and Fibromyalgia. I had battled Lupus and Rheumatoid Arthritis but there is no longer evidence of me having these diseases and my Rheumatologist has declared them to be "burnt out" of my system. I am separated from my husband, “Grant”. Our son, “Tyler” was born in September of 2006 and suffers from tics and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, and is delayed in fine and gross motor skills. In my blog I seek to let sick moms know that they are not the only ones going through this, and to educate people about what can happens when one becomes catastrophically ill. I also strive to break down stereotypes of what a “Welfare Mom” is like. Anything that I have gone through due to being sick, is written on the pages of Mama Sick.

Results of Disability Hearing: The Do-Over

(Disclaimer:  The following account is my personal experience with a disability hearing and should in no way compare with anyone else’s experience.  I do my best to research what I write, and seek to provide correct information to my readers; … Continue reading

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My Disability Reconsideration Hearing is on Friday

Nearly three years to the day I applied for Social Security Disability, and 15 months after my initial hearing, my Reconsideration hearing is here.  When a person is denied at their initial hearing, one is allowed to appeal the decision.  … Continue reading

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Tuesdays With Tyler: Not Special Enough

Tyler has some special needs but often they are not readily apparent.  Because of this, I find that people like to declare that he is fine and I am making too big a deal about minor things.  This, is for … Continue reading

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Tuesdays With Tyler: The Selflessness of Children

A couple of things I have learned from our current situation is how observant and caring children can be. Tyler gets “doctor prizes” or “dentist prizes”  because of how hard it is for him to make it through the appointments.  … Continue reading

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When Do I Tell My Child We’re Poor?

As many know, chronic illness often brings about chronic poverty.  My husband and I have been dealing with this since 2008, when I got laid off from work and found myself too sick to look for another position. We qualified … Continue reading

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Six Word Memoir

Inspired by Mama Kat’s Writer’s Workshop. 1.  I spent this past weekend  in Dallas at Bloggy Boot Camp with SITS.  As part of the Writer’s Workshop Francesca and I conducted we resurrected the Six Word Memoir.  Add an image to … Continue reading

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Tuesdays With Tyler: Birthday Party With Pictures!

When we first moved to Massachusetts in March, Tyler was five and a half and I couldn’t begin to wrap my mind on a birthday party for him in September, with none of his friends and his daddy not being … Continue reading

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Gallery

My Hope is You

This gallery contains 1 photos.

September 10-16 is National Chronic Illness Awareness Week.  In my posts I hope to comfort those who are first experiencing chronic illness and those who continue to live a life in chronic pain and with chronic illness; as well as … Continue reading

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For My Son On His 6th Birthday

Dear Tyler, I am already tearing up as I write this because of how drastically our lives have changed.  You have been through so much this year.  My hospitalization for two weeks when you told daddy you forgot what I … Continue reading

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My Son, My Hope

September 10-16 is National Chronic Illness Awareness Week.  In my posts I hope to comfort those who are first experiencing chronic illness and those who continue to live a life in chronic pain and with chronic illness; as well as … Continue reading

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