COPD Lifestyle, Vancouver, BC (2026)

12/15/2025

Self advocacy doesn’t end here.

Self Advocacy Guide — Chapter 10: What’s Next?

Managing COPD and advocating for yourself are ongoing processes. Every small step you take builds awareness, confidence, and a stronger sense of control over your health.

As you continue your journey, I encourage you to explore the breathing practices available through the COPD Lifestyle Project. Techniques like breathing exercises, Tai Chi, and Qigong support respiratory muscles, circulation, balance, and relaxation. Practiced regularly, they help deepen breath awareness and support consistency in managing symptoms.

The website also offers guided meditations designed with COPD in mind. These practices help calm the nervous system, reduce anxiety around breathing, and support emotional balance. Even a few quiet minutes can create a greater sense of steadiness and control.

Self advocacy grows through practice. Tools like the Being Heard Worksheet can help you prepare for appointments, reflect on how conversations went, and notice what works best for you. Over time, this kind of reflection helps you refine how you communicate and strengthens your ability to speak up with clarity.

I also encourage you to return to the website from time to time. Resources evolve, understanding deepens, and revisiting information often brings new insights as your needs change. Staying engaged helps reinforce both self advocacy and self trust.

If you’d like to explore advocacy from a broader healthcare perspective, I recommend The Patient’s Playbook by Leslie D. Michelson. While it’s not specific to COPD, it offers thoughtful strategies that can strengthen how you navigate healthcare systems and advocate for yourself more effectively.

Self advocacy is not about doing everything perfectly. It’s about staying engaged, staying curious, and continuing to build confidence in your own voice.

What’s one practice or habit you want to carry forward from this guide?

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If you’d like to read the full Self Advocacy Guide now, send me a direct message through my website at info@copdlifestyle.com, and I’ll share the full e-book with you.

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Creative Commons License

COPD Self Advocacy Guide by Allan Josef, COPDLifestyle.com, is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution NonCommercial NoDerivatives 4.0 International License (CC BY NC ND 4.0).

12/11/2025

A gentle note for anyone feeling a bit alone this Christmas

The holidays don’t feel joyful for everyone. For many people living with COPD, this time of year can bring a quiet heaviness. Fewer visits. Less energy. Friends who drifted away. Family who live far, or family dynamics that make things complicated.

If that’s you, you’re not doing anything wrong. Feeling isolated during the holidays is far more common than we talk about.

One small thing that can help is reaching outward, just a little. A message to an old friend you haven’t spoken to in years. A quick chat with a neighbour. A comment in a COPD forum where people actually understand what breathing limitations feel like.

Those small connections matter. They don’t fix everything, but they can soften the edges of isolation and remind us that we still belong, even when life feels quieter.

This year, instead of quietly sinking into the holiday blues, I’ve decided to step a little outside my comfort zone. I’m attending a work party, accepting dinner invitations from new friends, and spending time with an old friend who needs support during this season. I don’t expect the holidays to suddenly feel magical, but just knowing I’ll share some moments of connection makes things more manageable and even brings a bit of joy.

If today feels hard, know this: you’re not alone in feeling that way, even if you’re spending the day on your own. And sometimes, the bravest thing we can do is simply say hello.

Wishing everyone the best this holiday season!

12/04/2025

If you have ever been forgotten in the system, this chapter is for you.

Self Advocacy Guide —
Chapter 9: Common Oversights

Even the best healthcare systems can falter. These real life scenarios show how small steps can prevent delays and errors. Some of these examples have personally affected me or loved ones, and they helped inspire the creation of this guide. I’m sure you will recognize some of them. Just remember that you don’t have to accept administrative mistakes when your health is on the line.

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1. The Appointment That Never Happened

Situation:
You’re referred to a specialist and told the clinic will call to schedule an appointment. Weeks turn into months. When you finally follow up, the clinic says they never received the referral or forgot to set it up.

What helps:
• Call to confirm the referral was received after one week
• Ask about the clinic’s scheduling timeline and follow up proactively

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2. Test Results That Went Nowhere

Situation:
Your doctor orders lab work and says they’ll call if anything is abnormal. Months pass with no update. When you finally call, you learn the results were misplaced or marked as normal even though your symptoms persist.

What helps:
• Ask when you should expect to hear back
• Follow up within that timeframe
• Request a copy of your results from the lab or patient portal

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3. Lost in the Paperwork Shuffle

Situation:
A medication requires prior authorization. Weeks later, you discover the paperwork was never submitted. You have now missed critical doses.

What helps:
• Confirm the paperwork was submitted
• Call your insurance provider after one week to confirm it was received

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4. The Forgotten Follow Up

Situation:
Your provider promises to schedule a follow up appointment. Time passes and the appointment is never booked.

What helps:
• Mark your own reminder
• Call the office within a week to confirm the appointment

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5. Incomplete Medical Records

Situation:
You’re referred to a new specialist, but your medical records were not forwarded. The new provider doesn’t have the full history they need.

What helps:
• Request copies of your records yourself and bring them with you
• Confirm that both offices sent and received the files

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6. Medication Errors from Miscommunication

Situation:
You’re discharged from the hospital with new medications, but the pharmacy only receives part of the prescription or fills it incorrectly.

What helps:
• Review the discharge instructions before leaving
• Call the pharmacy to confirm details before pick up

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Closing Reflection

In each of these situations, a small, proactive step could have prevented a frustrating delay or a dangerous error. Self advocacy is not only about challenging medical decisions. It is often about following up, confirming details, and trusting your instincts when something feels amiss.

Being proactive means asking the right questions, tracking timelines, and making sure important steps do not fall through the cracks. Every interaction with the healthcare system is an opportunity to practice self advocacy. Small, consistent actions build confidence and improve outcomes over time.

Think about a time when something was delayed or forgotten in your care. What step could you take next time to prevent it?

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If you would like to read the full Self Advocacy Guide now, send me a direct message here on Facebook or email me at info@copdlifestyle.com and I will share the full e book with you.

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Creative Commons License

COPD Self Advocacy Guide by Allan Josef, COPDLifestyle.com, is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution NonCommercial NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

11/27/2025

Your reflections matter.

Today’s chapter is all about turning the focus back to you. This section is simple, but meaningful. It is a reminder that your thoughts, your notes, and your reflections are part of your care.

Self-Advocacy Guide:
Chapter 8: Notes and Reflections

Sometimes the most powerful thoughts are your own.

This final section is for you. It’s a quiet space to reflect, make notes, or write down things that matter. There’s no right or wrong way to use it. Let it be a companion to your journey.

You might want to write a question you plan to ask at your next appointment, or something that gave you clarity after reading this guide. Maybe you’ll jot down a phrase that helped you speak up, or a moment when you wished you had.

These pages can also be a place to capture progress, reminders of your strength, or words of encouragement to return to later. You are building your voice one small note at a time.

If any of these prompt something for you, feel free to use them:

• things I want to remember
• notes to myself
• reflections after a recent appointment
• something I’d like to try next time

If you’d like to read the full Self-Advocacy Guide now, send me a direct message here on Facebook or through my website info@copdlifestyle.com and I’ll share the full e-book with you. It has additional worksheets for each chapter that give you space to work out your thoughts.

What helps you reflect on your health, your care, or your appointments?

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Creative Commons License
COPD Self Advocacy Guide by Allan Josef, COPDLifestyle.com, is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution NonCommercial NoDerivatives 4.0 International License (CC BY NC ND 4.0).

11/21/2025

A simple notebook can strengthen your care.

Chapter 7: Record Your Experiences

The next chapter is about a tool that often gets overlooked - a journal. Tracking your symptoms and daily experiences can give you clarity, confidence, and a stronger voice in your healthcare conversations.

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Chapter 7: Record Your Experiences

Small notes can reveal a bigger picture.

Living with COPD means that symptoms and energy levels can shift from day to day. Tracking these changes, even briefly, can help you better understand your body and give your healthcare team clearer insight into what is happening over time.

You don’t need a complex system. A small notebook, a notes app, or a simple printed sheet can help you record things like shortness of breath, fatigue, appetite, sleep, or how medications make you feel. Writing down how your breathing feels in the morning versus the evening, or how active you were on a certain day, may reveal patterns that support better care.

You might also choose to note things like mood, weather, or diet. Anything that might be influencing your breathing or energy is worth noticing. If you feel improvement after a walk, or notice more coughing after cleaning, that is worth writing down too.

You don’t need to track everything every day. Even short notes a few times a week can be helpful. These details can support conversations with your care team and help you feel more connected to the choices you make for your health, while also helping you remember what you want to bring up at your next appointment.

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Next week I’ll share Chapter 8. If you’d like to read the full Self-Advocacy Guide now, send me a direct message here on Facebook or through my website info@copdlifestyle.com and I’ll share the full e-book with you.

Do you keep notes or track your symptoms? What has helped you notice patterns?

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Creative Commons License

COPD Self Advocacy Guide by Allan Josef, COPDLifestyle.com, is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution NonCommercial NoDerivatives 4.0 International License (CC BY NC ND 4.0).

11/19/2025

World COPD Day:
A Thoughtful Reminder About Nutrition

Today is World COPD Day, organized by GOLD (goldcopd.org).
It is a day meant to raise awareness, share education, and acknowledge the millions of people affected by this condition.

But for those of us living with COPD, the truth is simple:
every day is COPD Day.
We are already paying attention, already adapting, already learning how to support our breath one choice at a time.

One area I return to again and again is nutrition.
It does not replace medical care, but it absolutely shapes how we feel, how we breathe, and how well our body handles inflammation, mucus, fatigue, and recovery.

COPD is not only a lung condition.
It affects metabolism, muscle strength, digestion, hydration, and overall resilience. And while GOLD acknowledges nutrition, there is very little practical guidance about what that looks like in everyday life.

So on this World COPD Day, here is a gentle reminder:

Nutrition is part of your healing journey.
Not a diet. Not a restriction.
Just simple, supportive habits that help your lungs and your body do their work.

Things like:
• staying hydrated to thin mucus
• choosing foods that calm inflammation
• eating enough protein to support your breathing muscles
• keeping blood sugar steady to reduce fatigue
• nourishing your gut so it can support your lungs

Small choices add up, and they matter.

If you are living with COPD, you are already doing the work every single day.
And if today helps even one person discover something that makes breathing a little easier, then World COPD Day has meaning.

What’s one nutrition change that has helped your breathing or energy the most?

11/15/2025

You don’t have to do this alone.

Chapter 6: Bringing Support With You

This week’s chapter is about the quiet strength that comes from having someone by your side. Support can make a real difference in how calm, confident, and understood you feel at medical appointments.

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Chapter 6: Bringing Support With You

Support can help you feel more steady and seen.

You don’t have to attend appointments alone. Whether you’re feeling nervous, overwhelmed, or simply want someone to help keep track of the conversation, bringing another person with you can offer quiet but meaningful support.

A partner, family member, or friend can act as an extra set of ears, listening carefully, taking notes, and helping you remember what was said. They can also ask questions you may not think of in the moment or step in when you need a pause. Even if they’re just sitting beside you, their presence can help reduce stress and make the visit feel less isolating.

Before the appointment, let them know what kind of support you’d like. Some people prefer their companion to speak up; others want them to simply listen. Either way, having someone in the room can shift the balance in a helpful way, especially if you’ve had difficult or dismissive experiences in the past.

Advocacy doesn’t have to be a solo act. Sometimes, knowing that someone else is in your corner is enough to help you speak up with more confidence.

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Next week I’ll share Chapter 7. If you’d like to read the full Self-Advocacy Guide now, send me a direct message here on Facebook or through my website info@copdlifestyle.com and I’ll share the full e-book with you.

Have you ever brought someone with you to an appointment? How did it help?

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License Notice:
COPD Self-Advocacy Guide by Allan Josef, COPDLifestyle.com, is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0).

11/08/2025

Being dismissed hurts. But it’s not the end of your story.

Self-Advocacy Guide — Chapter 5: When You Don’t Feel Heard

This week’s chapter is about one of the hardest moments in healthcare; when you’ve spoken up, but your concerns still aren’t taken seriously. These moments test our patience, but they’re also where real self-advocacy begins.

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Chapter 5: When You Don’t Feel Heard

Being dismissed is not the end of the conversation.

There may be times when your concerns don’t seem to register like when your symptoms are minimized, your questions brushed aside, or your experience questioned. This can be frustrating, especially when you’ve made the effort to prepare and speak clearly. But even in these moments, you still have options.

Start by pausing and restating what matters to you. You might say, “I’d like to revisit this issue as I feel it hasn’t been fully addressed,” or “This symptom is affecting my daily life, and I want to understand what it means.” Calmly naming the concern again can help refocus the conversation.

If you leave an appointment feeling uncertain or uneasy, take time afterward to write down what happened. Include the date, what was said, and how you felt. These records not only validate your experience but also serve as evidence if concerns are brushed aside or minimized.

You’re allowed to ask again. You’re allowed to disagree. You’re allowed to find another provider. Self-advocacy means standing by your lived experience, even when someone else doesn’t fully understand it yet. If you feel dismissed or questioned repeatedly, it may signal a deeper pattern that deserves closer attention.

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Next week I’ll share Chapter 6. If you’d like to read the full Self-Advocacy Guide now, send me a direct message here on Facebook or email me at info@copdlifestyle.com and I’ll share the full PDF with you.

Have you ever felt brushed off during an appointment? How did you handle it?

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License Notice:

COPD Self-Advocacy Guide by Allan Josef, COPDLifestyle.com, is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0).

10/30/2025

Ever freeze up during an appointment? Here’s how to find your words.

Self-Advocacy Guide
Chapter 4: Building a Stronger Voice

You don’t have to be loud to be heard.

This week’s chapter is about finding your voice in healthcare conversations. Self-advocacy isn’t about confrontation. It’s about confidence, clarity, and communication.

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Chapter 4: Building a Stronger Voice

You don’t have to be loud to be heard.

Advocating for yourself doesn’t mean raising your voice, it means trusting it. For many people, speaking up in a medical setting can feel uncomfortable. But learning to express what you need in clear, respectful ways can make a meaningful difference in your care.

If you find it difficult to start the conversation, try writing down what you want to say ahead of time. A few clear phrases can go a long way. For example: “I’m concerned about this side effect,” or “Could you help me understand this test result?” You can also ask for a moment to gather your thoughts, there’s no rush.

When a provider uses language that feels overwhelming or unclear, it’s okay to ask for a simpler explanation. You might say, “I’m not sure I understand. Can you say that another way?” This isn’t a weakness; it’s a strength. It shows you’re engaged and willing to be part of the conversation.

Sometimes it helps to bring someone with you like a partner, a friend, or a family member who can ask questions, take notes, or just offer quiet support. You don’t have to speak up alone. Your voice deserves space. With practice, it gets stronger.

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Next week I’ll share Chapter 5. If you’d like to read the full Self-Advocacy Guide now, send me a direct message here on Facebook or through my website info@copdlifestyle.com and I’ll share the full PDF with you.

What helps you feel most confident when talking with your healthcare team?

10/23/2025

Feeling rushed at doctor’s appointments, here’s how to slow it down and take back control.

Self-Advocacy Guide
Chapter 3: Preparing for Appointments

This week’s chapter is all about getting ready for your medical appointments. A little preparation goes a long way toward feeling calm, confident, and truly heard.

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Chapter 3:
Preparing For Appointments

Preparing in advance for medical appointments can help you feel more at ease and ensure your concerns are clearly addressed. Even small steps, like writing down a few notes, can make a big difference in how confident and focused you feel during a visit.

Before your next appointment, take a few minutes to reflect on what’s changed since your last check-in. Note any new or worsening symptoms, questions about medications, or changes in how you’ve been feeling physically or emotionally. If something doesn’t seem right, whether it’s a side effect, breathing pattern, or mood shift, it’s worth bringing up.

You might also want to set a clear intention for the visit. Is there something specific you need clarification on? A treatment plan you want to review? An issue you’ve been putting off? Defining your goal can help guide the conversation.

If writing helps you organize your thoughts, keep a small health journal or notebook handy. A few notes jotted down over time can help you paint a clearer picture for your care team. Appointments are short, but preparing ahead helps you make the most of the time you have. You don’t need to have all the answers. You just need to bring your observations, questions, and your voice.

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Next week I’ll share Chapter 4. If you’d like to read the full Self-Advocacy Guide now, send me a DM with your email and I’ll share the PDF with you.

Do you keep notes or questions before your appointments? What helps you feel most prepared when you visit your healthcare team?

10/17/2025

Self-Advocacy Guide

Chapter 2: Know Your Rights as a Patient

This week, I’m sharing Chapter 2 of my Self-Advocacy Guide. It’s a reminder that we’re not just passive recipients of care, we have rights, choices, and the ability to shape our own healthcare experience.

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Chapter 2: Know Your Rights as a Patient

You have the right to be informed, respected, and involved in your care.
Living with COPD means regular contact with healthcare professionals, but that doesn’t mean you have to follow every recommendation without question. As a patient, you have rights that help ensure your care is safe, respectful, and aligned with your values. Knowing these rights can help you feel more confident and supported during appointments.

You have the right to ask questions and receive clear explanations in language you understand. You can request more time during an appointment if you need it to feel heard. You may review your medical records and ask for clarification on anything written there. You also have the right to participate in decisions about your care and to seek a second opinion without needing to justify your concerns.

Self-advocacy begins with understanding that you’re not just receiving care, you’re participating in it. If something feels unclear, uncomfortable, or incomplete, it’s okay to pause, ask for more information, or revisit a decision. You are not being difficult. You are taking care of yourself.

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Next week I’ll share Chapter 3, which continues to build on these foundations of speaking up and staying informed. If you’d like the full guide now, just send me a DM with your email and I’ll share the PDF with you.

Have you ever had to ask for more clarity or time during a doctor’s appointment? How did it go?

10/10/2025

This week, I’m sharing Chapter 1 of my Self-Advocacy Guide. If you’ve ever felt dismissed, unheard, or unsure how to speak up for yourself in a healthcare setting, this chapter is a good place to start.

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1.
A Guide to Speaking up with care

When you live with COPD, you carry a daily awareness of your breath, and often, a quiet strength that isn’t always seen. This toolkit was created to support that strength. It’s here to help you speak up, ask questions, prepare for appointments, and feel more empowered in your care.
Self-advocacy isn’t about confrontation. It’s about clarity. It’s about knowing that your experience matters and that your voice has a place in the decisions that affect your health.
Inside, you’ll find gentle guidance, helpful prompts, and quiet encouragement for moments when it’s hard to know what to say. You’ll also find space to reflect, take notes, and keep track of what matters most to you.
There is no one right way to use this guide. Explore it at your own pace. Print just the pages you need. Return to it when you feel uncertain or need a reminder that you’re not alone.
Your breath matters, and so does your voice.

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Next week I’ll share Chapter 2, but if you’d like to read the whole guide now, send me a DM with your email and I’ll share the PDF with you.

When was the last time you had to speak up for your own health? How did it go?

COPD Lifestyle