By Kimberly Rae –
With nearly one out of every two people having some kind of chronic condition, it is very likely that you either have a chronic illness or you love someone who does. Today’s post has tips from people with chronic illness, things they wish healthy people would understand, compiled by Amazon bestselling author and Addison’s disease sufferer, Kimberly Rae.
Here’s what real people with chronic illness have to say about what they wish healthy people knew…
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Disclaimer: Each of these will not necessarily fit every chronically ill person, they are just to give an idea of what many may feel.
1. I don’t want to be sick. If I could make it go away, we would.
2. I feel guilty for my limitations and need reassurance that I am still valuable.
3. I wish they would know how hard it is for me to plan ahead to do things. Also, just because I’m able to do things one day doesn’t mean I can do them the next. The inconsistency and uncertainty…is the worst part, because I never know how I will feel from day to day.
4. I wish the well friends realized that I cannot keep up the same level of activity when I am under the weather. My house is a mess; the spiders won’t pay rent and the kitchen floor is adhesive. I’ve been MIA over the last 2 months or so–the only people who have contacted me (to see how I’m doing) are ones who have health issues of their own.
5. I wish they knew that we are not lazy. We want to participate in all the things they do, but sometimes our bodies just won’t let us. Also, just because we don’t look sick doesn’t mean we aren’t struggling with pain or fatigue.
6. If it weren’t for facebook, I would have no friends at all. No one offers to help. No one comes around just to talk. I have lived in this place 3 years, not one person has visited me here. I can’t clean by myself, I have trouble cooking every day (and hubby is so good about not insisting), grocery shopping takes all of my strength since I have to also carry it inside and put it away. I sometimes pray for an OCD friend who will be so aghast at the condition of my house that she will volunteer to help me.
7. If I say no to an activity or event, it is not personal. It’s not that I don’t want to go (I do!), and not that I’m avoiding those people; it’s just that even fun things can be more than my body can handle sometimes.
10. I wish healthy people could accept that my condition is not going to go away. If you ask, “Are you feeling better?” I don’t know how to answer. Better as is not sick anymore? As in better than the last flare up? Better than this morning? Instead, I’d love to have you smile and say, “How are you feeling today?” Thanks.
If you have a chronic illness, what would you add to this list? A little understanding goes a long way, so don’t be shy! (But with gentleness and respect, please.)
Kimberly Rae has lived in Bangladesh, Uganda, Kosovo and Indonesia. She has been published over 250 times, and her Christian suspense/romance novels on international human trafficking (Stolen Woman, Stolen Child, Stolen Future) are all Amazon bestsellers. Check out Rae’s latest book, Sick & Tired, and Laughter for the Sick & Tired, available on Amazon. Sign up at www.kimberlyrae.com for info on new releases and exclusive offers!
1 thought on “What Sick People Wish Healthy People Knew”
I’d add, “No, I didn’t bring this on myself. What part of ‘hereditary condition’ do you not understand?”