Jenni Prokopy, Founder and Editrix - ChronicBabe.com

I created ChronicBabe.com in 2005 to provide an online community for younger women with chronic health issues who want to be their best. A ChronicBabe myself, I was diagnosed in 1997, at the age of 25, with fibromyalgia. Soon after came diagnoses of asthma, anxiety, Raynaud's phenomenon and GERD. For years I struggled, taking test after test and trying a wide assortment of medications, diets and health regimens in an effort to control my symptoms.

One of my biggest frustrations has been the frequent disbelief I encounter when I explain my condition to people. "You're way too young to feel that way!" is a common refrain. "But you look fine," is another. My favorite has to be, "I'm so sorry. That is so sad." Raise your hand if you've heard this before. Maddening, isn't it? Yes, I am young. Yes, I look fine. And yes, it is sad. But as time passes, I choose more often to focus on the positive: I am creative, and I have choices. And even when I'm cramping and blubbering and whining, I'm still a hottie.

In recent years I've found success through a balance of many approaches, including cognitive therapy, biofeedback training, physical therapy, medications, diet modifications, exercise and meditation. There are plenty of days that I don't feel great - but instead of fighting it, I've learned to roll with the punches and have fun in spite of it. I've had a ton of help, especially from my primary care physician, the staff at the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago, and an amazing circle of friends and family.

Today, I feel good more often than not. That's a success I earned, and I've learned a lot along the way about maintaining my identity in the midst of a swirl of negative energy. I am not my chronic stuff. I am a young, creative, passionate, generous, driven woman. I'm a Babe. I'm here to share what I know with you, and to create a space for others to share their successes, so that you can be a Babe too.

Health writing? Speaking? Consulting? Jenni does it all...

As an award-winning freelance writer with more than 16 years of publishing experience, I know what it takes to make your writing "zing." I offer freelance writing, editing and communications consulting for the health care industry, with a focus on web sites, newsletters, feature articles and marketing materials.

I love to speak to groups about my experiences as a ChronicBabe, and I can tailor presentations to fit your specific audience. Whether you want someone who can talk on a personal level about living with chronic illness, offer tips for living well with chronic illness, or speak to issues of importance to young women, I'm your Babe.

For more information on working with me - whether it's writing, editing, speaking or communications consulting - give me a call: 773.368.3074. Or visit my parent company web site, Orange Grove Media, LLC.

Where else can you find ChronicBabe and Jenni on the web?

Lots of places! We're just getting started exploring all the fun social networking goodies out there; here are a few spots we're getting started:

GapersBlock - a Chicago news and culture site where Jenni is a staffer, reporting on (mostly) health-related topics in and around Chicago. 

The Simple Pleasures With Fibromyalgia Flickr Pool - Jenni just joined and is adding pictures of things that are relaxing, peaceful and joyful.

Send Jenni your tweets via Twitter ; her username: chronicbabe.  

Hear what Jenni's listening to at the ChronicBabe Last.fm page.

Connect with Jenni on LinkedIn. What a cool way to make creative contacts!

Jenni's ChronicBabe MySpace page is brand new and in need of ChronicFriends!

And because we're cool kids, Jenni's also learning to use Facebook. 

Likewise, we just started a YouTube page and are looking for cool videos to include in our favorites, so send us your ideas!

Check out some of our favorite links, the ones ChronicBabes will find del.icio.us.  

And if you'd like to IM me, I'm jenniorange on AOL instant messenger.