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Learn More About Me & Thriving Differently

If you’ve found yourself here, unceremoniously deposited into the world of Thriving Differently by the magical mystery of a Google search, you’re probably wondering what the heck you’ve gotten yourself into, right? What is this weird place, and who the heck am I? Well, if you can spare me a moment or two of your time, I’ll tell you…

Hi! Welcome! I’m Marty, your friendly neighborhood guide through the twisty-turny maze of chronic illness, neurodivergence, and online money-making adventures. Everything that I write here is based on my own experiences and battle with chronic illness, neurodivergence, and mental illness (plus the craziness that comes with raising beagles!)

When I’m not brewing a concoction of words and experiences here, you can find me buried in a good book, cuddling with my beagles (the unofficial mascots of Thriving Differently!) or putting the “pro” in procrastination (thanks, ADHD!).

Beagle Mascots of Thriving Differently
Three Beagles in a row
Marty Denial Thriving Differently and living beyond boundaries with Chronic Illness and neurodiversity
Marty Denial – Living Beyond Boundaries Every Day
Zekey, Hope and Sandy on my bed in 2018
Zekey, Hope and Sandy on my bed in 2018

MY STORY (THE SHORT VERSION)

If you’re anything like me and have the attention span of a newt, the last thing you want is to be stuck reading some long convoluted backstory, so I’ll keep this snappy. (If you do want to hear more about my story, you’ll find those delicious details in the Personal Journey Category.)

Once upon a time, in the prime of my Theology MA studies, I was invited to an exclusive club called ‘Autoimmune Arthritis’. (Spoiler alert: I didn’t sign up for it.) Suddenly, I was dealing with chronic pain that behaved like an uninvited party guest – loud, obnoxious, and overstaying its welcome.

Around the same time, aged 40, I got a tardy invite to another exclusive club – the ADHD Society. It was a real “Oh, so THAT’S why I could never sit still” moment. Along with my neurodivergent ‘quirks’ that resonate with autistic traits (still pending the official invite to that club), life turned into an interesting, if not chaotic, carnival.

Furry Friends make life with Chronic Illness and Neurodiversity Better

In the midst of all that, to add a bit of joy instead of pain, my beagle pack grew from one to three when I rescued two beagles from Cyprus. The unofficial mascots of Thriving Differently may drive me nuts most days, but I couldn’t do this without them!

Sadly, in December 2023, my youngest beagle, Sandy, headed over the rainbow bridge 🌈 after a lifelong battle with a brain tumor. She’s left a big hole in my life and paw prints on my heart. I was just glad to be able to give her the best life possible. My beagle pack may be reduced to two, but Sandy remains one of the mascots of Thriving Differently, even in her absence.

Zekey the Beagle Mascot of Thriving Differently
Zekey, my oldest Beagle, chief mascot of Thriving Differently
Hope the Beagle Mascot of Thriving Differently, a rescue beagle from Cyprus.
I rescued Hope in June 2018, from Cyprus.
Sandy passed over the rainbow bridge in December 2023 aged just 5.
Sandy passed over the rainbow bridge in December 2023

THRIVING DIFFERENTLY: THE VISION

After life handed me this unique blend of lemons, I started squeezing them into something surprisingly refreshing. Enter Thriving Differently. Instead of becoming a champion lemon juggler, I decided to use my experiences to empower others to navigate the same funhouse of challenges.

So, what can you expect on this magical carpet ride? Think of it as your one-stop shop for everything chronic illness, neurodivergence, and online money-making. You’ll find a treasure trove of advice, personal anecdotes, and resources – all aimed at helping you manage chronic illnesses and neurodiversities like ADHD and autism.

But wait, there’s more! As someone who had to pivot towards unconventional ways of making money online (because chronic pain and a 9-to-5 desk job mix as well as oil and water), I’ll be sharing all my tips, tricks, and facepalm moments to help you find your path in the digital goldmine.

This isn’t just about surviving our unique challenges but about thriving differently. I believe in embracing our neurodivergent superpowers, laughing in the face of adversity, and dancing to the beat of our own drums. So, strap in, enjoy the ride, and remember: if life gives you lemons, squirt them in the eyes of your challenges and keep thriving differently.

Welcome to our wonderfully weird community!

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