Venus Williams Tells 'CBS Sunday Morning' How Sjogrens Syndrome Has Impacted Her

[quiger]

Just thought some of you may be interested in watching this.

quiger

[Carebear]

Thanks for the heads up, quiger.  I love that program.

[Katybarstool]

Quiger, how do I see it?

Kathyx

[quiger]

Hi Kathy,

Here is the info I found: "CBS SUNDAY MORNING is broadcast Sundays (9:00-10:30 AM, ET) on the CBS Television Network".

I found the info here: http://www.cbspressexpress.com/cbs-news/releases/view?id=38941

I don't agree with a raw vegan diet but I guess if it works for her...  I don't know how much of the interview will be about Sjogren's but I will record it and watch it later. Regardless, it gets the word out there and it may help that a celeb is talking about it. Let's hope it will be an eye opener for those who are not familiar with Sjogren's.

FYI,  I read a statement from someone saying that Venus couldn't have just plain old arthritis, but no she has to have an exotic syndrome. Ha, I have heard Sjogren's called a lot of things, (mostly bad names) but have never heard it called exotic before.  Ridiculous.

quiger

[quiger]

You're welcome Carebear.

quig

[Carebear]

I feel special.  And exotic!  But still a bit plain because I have arthritis too.  What does that make me? 
Plain exotic?   

I read the interview is primarily about fashion, but as you said,  she can only help us by talking about it.

[wildforwater]

I feel her pain and understand why she makes light of it.  I, too, am an athelete.   It is SO HARD for me to admit it may be over.  I push on...through the pain...to strive to be what I was before Sjogren's.  And like Venus, I will continue to push until it's just not fun anymore.  I can relate to being so close to your dream, yet so far, but I refuse to let it get the best of me...at least for now.  How hard must it be for her to see her sister shine when, not long ago, she was right up there with her. I know there are so many more important things in life, but I wish her the very best.

Maria

[Katybarstool]

Thanks Quiger. I can't see it as I'm in the UK, but if she's made our SJS exotic, that's good enough for me

Kathyx

[Bobbie]

Has she ever said that she is a spokes person for Sjogren's?  I don't think she really cares to discuss
it at all.  I didn't dare watch the interview.  It just upsets me.  I did read the transcript a little while
ago.  She mentioned it.  Three sentences I believe.  Something like, along with "other" symptoms,
it causes fatigue.  Fatigue.  Ok.

I didn't tell my family that it would be on this morning.  It is just about what I expected.

I know she has to protect her brand.  She is her brand.  She is her money maker.  Her body.  Her
image.  Then why even bring it up if you aren't going to explain what it really is and what it has
really done to you.  I don't know why she even bothers.  She should just sweep it under the
rug and carry on with her other interests and businesses.

Don't I sound like a witch?!  I just bothers me. 

I am done.

Bobbie

[Joe S.]

I watched the interview this am. I do not think she has learned to cope yet. It sounded like she is in the denial stage of grief.

[Carebear]

Hi Bobbie,

No, you don't sound like a witch.  I completely understand your frustration.

I did watch the interview, and for what it's worth, here are my two cents.  Well, I guess it's worth two cents.    . And they got rid of our penny a while back in Canada, so I guess that makes it a nickel.  Sorry, I saw something shiny and got distracted.   

Anyway, the interview was about her fashion design and interior design companies.  It was actually the interviewer who mentioned Venus having health issues.  Venus responded that Sjogren's had really impacted all aspects of her live, or something to that affect.  I'm not defending her.  But I was impressed with her intelligence and tenaciousness.  I hadn't known that she got a degree in design while in professional tennis. She seems like a real smart gal.

I know how much we could use a Michael J. Fox for Sjogren's, but it just isn't Venus.  Not now anyway.  But she did come out of the Sjogren's closet so to speak.  She didn't need to.  So I am grateful for that at least.

I was disappointed initially, but realized I may be unfairly placing my expectations on her.

That's my take.   Be kind if you disagree. 

[Bobbie]

You are right Carebear    Everyone handles it differently.  I sure couldn't be a representative for
all of us.  I am sure she is doing the best she can.  I just hope they didn't advertise the interview
with the title "How Sjogren's Syndrome Has Impacted Her Life".  That would just be wrong.  I think
that is what bothered me most of all.

I really did sound like a grumpy jerk didn't I?  I was having a very painful day.  (no excuse, I know .  Easily
bothered though when having such a painful day)  No typing allowed on those days 

Take care,  Bobbie

[Carebear]

Oh, Bobbie.  I think you are being far to hard on yourself.  We all feel your pain...literally. 

[gold55]

I was not impressed with the interview today....still sounds like she barely wants to admit her disorder...of course the piece was about design and fashion but she has hardly talked about what she has gone through ;-(

[litliwlowa]

I was not impressed with the interview today....still sounds like she barely wants to admit her disorder...of course the piece was about design and fashion but she has hardly talked about what she has gone through ;-(

I agree.

While it is possible she is still in the denial phase of grief, still Marketing 101. She has a "product" to promote.

What bothers me overall about her, is that as she doesn't discuss her SJS journey (which is of course her choice), she does MANY of us sjoggies a disservice from the perspective of "but you don't look sick therefore you aren't sick". She can make time to be interviewed on her sport career and make time to be interviewed on her design and fashion line, but it would take minimal effort to even do her own video discussing Sjogrens from her experience independent of media who actually controls the interview process.

Media in these settings is certainly not going to elaborate much on what Sjogrens is.

I think on another thread a while back about a previous interview of hers, someone made the point that she is entitled to her privacy. Well, unfortunately part of the cost of being a high profile athlete in effect costs a portion of that privacy by default.

That is the problem I have with her. It would be far less damaging to public perspective of Sjogrens  if she simply didn't have it mentioned at all, rather than as a public figure basically have it mentioned in passing much as one would a small finger sprain.

I don't consider her a "poster woman" for SJS.  Just my 2 cents worth.