MUSIC & RADIO SAVED MY LIFE

A story of living with invisible illness

Pat Franc

I’m currently 54 years old and have been suffering from aggressive and degenerative autoimmune diseases since 1992. I was 22 years old when symptoms of inflammation first appeared overnight in my left knee. I was diagnosed with Psoriatic Arthritis. My life changed overnight, although I did not know that at the time. Full Story

My goal with this site is to increase awareness and understanding of invisible diseases. For details, please see my full mission statement.

Were it not for the inspiration of MUSIC, I don't think I would be here today. Music helped me get through some of my darkest days. It has been critical to my survival. Therefore, every chapter in this BLOG will be musically themed. I hope you enjoy reading and listening.

June 12, 2025

Chapter 51: One Survivor

In this reflective blog post, I share a deeply personal update, weaving together themes of illness, grief, survival, and the randomness of life. Amid supporting ill family members, moving apartments, and facing my own health scare, I grapple with the unpredictability of existence, heightened by the news of a tragic Air India plane crash with a single survivor. Questioning notions of divine intervention and fairness, the post underscores how arbitrary survival can be, and how privilege and health are often overlooked blessings. Drawing parallels between my own long battle with chronic illness and that of a friend with terminal cancer, I ultimately invite readers to consider what it means to live meaningfully, especially when so many never get that chance.

April 14, 2025

Chapter 50: Superman For Just One Day

In this post, I recount an unexpected outcome from a shoulder surgery intended to repair a presumed torn rotator cuff. Post-operative findings revealed no tear, highlighting the limitations of imaging diagnostics. Due to a prior neck fusion, I opted for a nerve block with sedation, which resulted in temporary paralysis of the arm for over a day. This experience offered a profound, albeit brief, insight into the challenges faced by individuals with paralysis, deepening my empathy for disabled people. Reflecting on personal health struggles spanning decades—including multiple surgeries and chronic pain—I acknowledge the psychological toll of chronic illness and the resilience required to navigate such challenges. Despite these hardships, I express gratitude for retained mobility and a renewed appreciation for life's complexities.

March 26, 2025

Chapter 49: Social Media: An Invisible Illness

Social media has evolved into a double-edged sword—while it has revolutionized communication and business, it has also fueled misinformation, cyberbullying, and societal detachment. Platforms like X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, and TikTok, once created for networking and entertainment, have instead contributed to mental health struggles, particularly among younger generations. The rise of toxic online behaviours, obsession with self-image, and addiction to short-form content raises concerns about how future generations will function in the real world. Once intended to connect people, social media now resembles an invisible illness, silently shaping human interaction in ways that many never anticipated.

Read more

Categories




© 2025 Patrick Franc - a.k.a. Your Friendly Neighborhood Bionic Man

Website developed by Brent Cartier and Patrick Franc