Bladder leakage at 32?! Yes. Ashamed? No, but I got help with Depend. + FREE sample!

 Thank you to Depend for sponsoring today’s post about the #underwareness movement. I am simply posting this disclosure in accordance with FTC guidelines. If you would like more info on the said guidelines, please leave a comment below and I'll happily re-direct you to more info! As always, all thoughts and opinions in sponsored posts where I either receive either free product or payment, are honest and my own!

To be honest, I have felt embarrassed when I've experienced bladder leakage.  Now when I look back, I can see that I started having moments of leakage when I was a child. I don't think I've talked much about my childhood here on the blog, but I used to walk until I was 11 years old. I was born with Spinal Muscular Atrophy and unfortunately, my disease is progressive BUT it's a slow progression thankfully. When I did walk, I literally walked like a penguin; side to side, and slowly. I was bullied as a child. I was made fun of for walking like that and because of my weight, which has fluctuated all my life, mostly due to medication I need to be.

I remember raising my hand in class to ask for the pass to go potty. Walking as best as I could down the halls to the restroom, I would start to pee. Sometimes, I would need to go to the nurses' office to get a change of clothes, which ended up mismatching my top! I felt so left out. I couldn't be cool like the other kids!

Well, now as an adult, I no longer have to feel that way because Depend has created Silhouette Active Briefs that are a new moderate-absorbency brief that feature a thin design for complete comfort with the trusted protection of the Depend brand and a lower rise+ for an underwear-like look, fit and feel! I recently purchased them and as a category first, the product is available in black and beige colors. The black isn't super black, but close enough! I think it's  great to have an option of which color to wear when planning outfits! Hey, I am all about fashion over here! The trial pack I bought came with two briefs, some cleansing wipes and a four dollar off coupon!

It's true. Depend has made the Silhouette Active Briefs to look like underwear. They are soft. and they fit like underwear. I love that they feature a lower rise because I have a short torso and the distance between my belly button and my crotch is short and I just don't want any undergarments to sit near my boobies! haha. The sides have stretch to them and no pesky, scratchy tag on the back!

I had no idea, but there are more people with bladder leakage are in their 20’s than their 80’s. The average age of someone with bladder leakage is only 52! Also, more people with bladder leakage are 50 or younger than 60 or older! I am in that category at 32!

With these briefs, people can go about their lives without the shame or worry of bladder leakage. Depend has made a great brief for bladder leakage protection! I absolutely cringe at the thought of having to wear a diaper. Even my neurologist has told me that eventfully my bladder muscles will weaken to where I won't be able to control my bladder. Having to wear a diaper deeply saddened me. I promise I'm not THAT vain, but c'mon, what younger person wants that?! I am not trying to discriminate on age either. I am sure older people don't want to wear a bulky squeeky diaper either. As I write this, I recognize the social stigma attached to such events of bladder leakage.

It makes me so happy about Depend's #underwareness movement highlighting their Silhouette Active Briefs to support women who have bladder leakage. I am relieved and thankful too, for  when the time comes that I am unable to control my bladder, I'd willingly and more happily accept wearing their briefs versus an adult diaper! I know I'll feel like I can keep my dignity and still feel comfortable and confident living my active lifestyle! Britt is always on the go!

If you experience bladder leakage or know someone that does (which I am sure you do!), please check out www.underwareness.com to know more about the #underwareness campaign, support the cause and request FREE samples of Silhouette Active Fit! Yay!

Also, if you're into social media, you can help Depend as they go into their second year of their #undewareness campagin by every photo and video shared using #Underwareness and featuring Depend products, the Depend brand will donate $1, up to $3 million, through 2016 to fund charities that advance the research and education of bladder leakage. Now, how awesome is that! Bladder leakage is real. "The struggle is real." but the shame and stigma of bladder leakage doesn't have to be anymore.

Thank you for reading and feel free to share your story or struggles with bladder leakage with me. I'd be interested to hear how it has or is affecting you or what you do about it. We can come together as a community by sharing our common struggles and joys and funny ways we cover up and by doing this, we strengthen and lift one another up! Amen!

weekend update + life update

Written January 6th. There's alot more to get caught up on, but let's start here.

As of three weeks ago,I was wrapping almost non-stop preparing for Christmas. A corner of my room was piled crazy high with gifts! I also got to visit with my mom and aunt v. We had Rubio's for lunch. Mmm! We laughed so much talking about my grandparents and about upcoming Christmas plans.  At least three days a week the past 2 weeks my room has been so messy with all wrapping materials out, shreds of Christmas wrap scrapped on the floor and price tags or tape adhered to my hands or clothes! I love it though.

Christmas was so great; I was so happy to spend it with my family.

I've been feeling a little better since a month ago (been sick since September for those who didn't know)...major respiratory problems. Had a picc line placed on October 9th to receive IV antibiotics. Went through two separate rounds for two different bacterias in lungs/trachea. I am still not feeling 100% better (phlegm still thick and green, gross, I know) and needing suction more than my normal, but I am thankful to have some energy back and actually do things outside of the house. It can get depressing being cooped up inside everyday all day. I now feel a cold a brewin'.

I went to my ward's Christmas at the beginning of December.We had a greek dinner, watched a short video on the birth and life of Christ, sang Christmas songs and socialized, socialized! Of course you know I took some photos with some of my favorite people! That was my first time doing something fun with many friends in three months!

I am still experiencing pain everyday. My back and arms especially have been the worst (the left leg has gotten some relief). I am still on pain medication. Met with a pain specialist a few weeks ago and he suggests I take a longer acting medicine and keep current pain med for breakthrough pain. It's been a mess and now just waiting for my primary dr (who is back on my team) to write the script for the new med...which might not be til January 30th.

I didn't send out cards this year (handmade or sending a bunch out). I narrowed my list from around 60 down to about 30. Extra special exceptions! :)

Talk soon!