How To Get Involved

We created this contributor guide to clarify the features we publish and help you discover how you can contribute easily through simple responses. Below, see the two groups that can contribute and learn how your quick input makes a difference. Below that you’ll find a list of features with descriptions.

Writers, Video Producers, Photographers

Submit an Essay or Video Story!

We invite both professional and amateur writers and creators to contribute original, longer-form pieces. You can submit:

• Written Essays: Craft a narrative, profile, or feature—whether it’s your own experience or the story of someone else in the patient and caregiver community. We welcome essays that explore challenges, triumphs, or unique perspectives. Strong storytelling and clear, engaging writing are encouraged.

• Video Essays: Produce a video essay or story, either sharing your own insights or highlighting the journey of another individual. Videos can be documentary-style, interviews, or creative narratives. High production value is not required (but audio needs to be clear and crips)—what matters is authenticity and thoughtful storytelling.

We’re looking for essays and videos that go beyond personal prompts, offering deeper dives into experiences, issues, or the voices of others in the community. If you have an idea or need support, our editorial team is here to help guide you through the process

Patients, Caregivers, Family Members

Simple, Supportive, and Accessible

The content submission process for patients and families is designed to be straightforward and welcoming, making it easy for anyone to participate—no writing experience required.

• Prompt-Based Participation: Instead of writing full articles or essays, patients, caregivers, and families are invited to respond to specific questions or prompts. These may include features like the Resilience Questionnaire or Life Beyond the Chart, where you can share your experiences, insights, or stories in your own words.

• Flexible Response Formats: You can submit your responses in whatever format feels most comfortable—short written answers, audio recordings, or even brief videos. There’s no need to worry about grammar, style, or structure; what matters is your authentic voice.

• Guided and Supportive: Each feature comes with clear instructions and examples. If you need help, the editorial team is available to guide you through the process or answer any questions.

• Quick and Easy: Most submissions take just a few minutes. You simply answer the questions or prompts provided—no need to craft long-form content.

Interested in contributing or partnering in some way? Contact us at lifebeyondthechart@gmail.com

Features

Essay

Essays are first-person narratives that explore a relevant topic about living and thriving with a chronic illness. It doesn’t have to be specifically about illness, however. It can focus on insights, observations, recent news, or entertainment. The key is to offer some unique take or insight. It should be approximately 200–500 words.

Typically written by regular or guest contributors.

At this length, you’ll need to be concise and focused on a single main idea with limited supporting points. You can typically include:

• A brief introduction with a clear thesis statement

• 2-3 body paragraphs with your key supporting points

• A short conclusion that wraps up your argument

• Good to have a link or links to follow related to the topic.

Life Beyond The Chart

This feature highlights stuff people are into — essentially favorites. It doesn’t have to be health or medical related.

It’s a regular feature in the newsletter.

We would like to include 5 or 6 things.

Here’s the prompts. Below the prompts is a sample from the newsletter: “Dense Discovery”

Prompts:

A video worth watching.
A book worth reading.
A word worth knowing.
An activity worth doing.
A quote worth repeating.
A self-care practice worth adopting.
A boundary worth setting.
A podcast worth listening to.
An adaptation worth celebrating.
A small joy worth noticing.
A resource worth bookmarking.
A community worth joining.
A question worth asking your healthcare provider.
A mindset shift worth making.
A simple meal worth preparing on low-energy days.
An accessibility tool worth trying.
A social media account worth following.
A progress marker worth tracking beyond symptoms.
A comfort item worth keeping nearby.
A conversation starter worth using when explaining your condition.

Interviews

These tend to be conversations with medical professionals, advocates, and notable figures in the chronic illness community. We also like to profile creators in the chronic illness/rare disease community with links to their portfolio, store, work, etc.

Healing Sounds

Music selections to support your wellbeing: artist/album/playlist recommendations and why/how they work for you.

Healing Sounds features Spotify playlists from patients and caregivers. The playlists can be any music really, but we hope some of them can be theme-based. Below is a list of ideas and themes.

As added value to the playlists, we encourage our music curators who explain why they selected certain songs and how the music helps them navigate specific aspects of their health journey.

Mood & Emotional Support Themes:

• “Gentle Comfort” – Soothing songs for high-pain days

• “Energy Boost” – Uplifting tracks for fatigue management

• “Validation” – Songs that express the invisible illness experience

• “Resilience Anthems” – Music celebrating perseverance

• “Peaceful Distraction” – For managing medical anxiety or procedures

Life With Chronic Illness Themes:

• “Pacing Soundtracks” – Tempo-appropriate music for different energy levels

• “Hospital Waiting Room Alternatives” – Better music for appointment days

• “Medication Reminder Jams” – Upbeat short playlists timed for routine tasks

• “Flare Day Companions” – Songs selected for tough symptomatic periods

• “Spoonie Social Hour” – Mood-lifting music for virtual hangouts

Treatment-Focused Themes:

• “Meditation & Mindfulness Mixes” – Supporting complementary practices

• “Infusion Session Soundtrack” – Curated for typical treatment lengths

• “Physical Therapy Motivation” – Rhythmic support for movement exercises

• “Sleep Support” – Helping with common insomnia issues

Community Connection Themes:

• “Diagnosis Journey” – Songs chronologically telling personal health stories

• “Invisible to Visible” – Music expressing the unseen aspects of chronic conditions

• “Caregiver Appreciation” – Songs selected by patients for their support networks

• “Rare Disease Awareness” – Playlists highlighting specific condition communities

Lifehacks, Tools & Apps

Most Fridays we feature links to resources, articles, and apps that we find helpful. These include:

• Practical advice for healthcare navigation, insurance battles, disability applications

• Written by those who’ve successfully navigated these challenges

• Practical tips for daily living with specific conditions

• Focus on accessibility, energy conservation, pain management

• Curated links to notable and relevant (recent) articles on the web – preferably with unique insights (not run-of-the-mill or mainstream articles).

• Each has a brief description about why it’s valuable.

• Features tools/apps that help patients, caregivers, friends and family.

• These don’t have to be medical or health-related, but each item should ideally include something health or medical related.