This week, I had the opportunity to interview Miss Jhenelle Anglin! Jhenelle is someone I have wanted to chat with for a while now, as she’s been a member of the Focus Fix since it began. Her sweet smile, hope-filled perspective, and desire to grow were simply icing on the cake! And let’s not forget that ADORABLE yorkie of hers… Jhenelle is a rare one, and we’re so honored to have her featured here!
Q. Hey, Jhenelle! Tell me a little about yourself!
My name is Jhenelle! I am passionate about finance and helping other people. I love my 6-year-old Yorkie, named Milo, listening to music, gardening, and exploring Baltimore and the surrounding areas.
Q. How did you discover People Hope, and when did you start the Focus Fix?
I discovered People Hope through Instagram. I wanted to get more connected to other chronic illness warriors, and I found Anna’s page when she had just founded People Hope. I started the Focus Fix when they first started coming out.
Q. What’s been your favorite Focus Fix theme and why?
My favorite Focus Fix theme has been Perspective. “So when we’re struggling with our perspective, it’s often because we haven’t bothered to take a step back to view things differently.” Once reading the email blast, I resonated with everything that it talked about. One thing that I had been praying about a lot too was a breakthrough. The thing that really stood out to me was that I needed to change my perspective on the things going on around me. Instead of asking myself, “Why is this happening to me?” I shifted to “how is this helping me?” and it has made such a difference in my mindset. I have to admit that when I was first diagnosed with my chronic illness, I wasn’t very positive, but I have a much more positive outlook now.
Q. What’s been your biggest challenge in living with chronic illness?
The hardest part about having a chronic illness is people not believing that you are ill because the illness does not show visibly. I also realized that people don’t really understand that I can’t do everything all the time, and I need to take a lot of time to rest and recuperate.
Q. How do you find hope in the challenges you face, and how does that hope impact your life?
I am a very strong believer in Jesus Christ and believe that He is my ultimate hope. Whenever I am down or in need of guidance, God is always there for me. Throughout my chronic illness, I wouldn’t have made it this far if it weren’t for God and His love. Praying and spending time in God’s word really helps to comfort me, and it gives me hope.
Q. What do you think is the best way for those who are not chronically ill to show love and support to those of us who are?
I think the best way is for them to want to learn more about our chronic illness and put themselves in our shoes, even for a little bit, to see how we are affected daily.
Q. What’s your fave flare-day entertainment? What movie, TV show, book, podcast, or other entertainment do you turn to when your illness is acting up?
When having a flare day, I love to curl up with my heating pad, my journal to write down my thoughts, Milo by my side, and with my iPad watching my favorite series, “The Office”.
Q. They say laughter is the best medicine. Do you have a funny story related to chronic illness you could share with us?
I went to the hospital on the weekend to get some bloodwork done, which I don’t normally do, but I didn’t have time during the week. I went in and got everything done, then I went out into the parking garage to leave. I couldn’t exit out of the garage, and I couldn’t get back inside the building! I was stuck in the garage for about 20 minutes and had to call security to open it up so that I could exit. From now on, I’ll just do bloodwork on the weekdays. LOL!
Q. If you could leave our readers with anything, what would you want them to know?
No matter how tough things may seem right now, there are things still in your control. Focus on the things that you can control, and that will cut back on a lot of worrying and unnecessary stress.
Written by: Ashlee Hiles
A watercolor artist, fellow chronic illness warrior, cat lady, morning person, writer, speaker, and People Hope’s very own Administrative Assistant. What can’t this lady do?! Ashlee is the powerhouse behind so much of what we do around here! But more impressive than her talent is her heart. If you know her, you love her! To shed light on a few lesser-known deets, Ash married her husband, Micah, in 2020, has re-learned how to walk twice, dreams of cage diving with Great White Sharks someday, and has a very niche obsession with Dot's Honey Mustard Seasoned Pretzel Twists. Pretzels and all, we love Ashlee and her trademark passion to share the message that, with God, we can hold both pain and joy in the same hand.
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