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13 Things Someone With Chronic Pain Wants You To Know

Chronically ill? More like chronically fabulous...

Annie Wood

Dec 12, 2016

Savannah College of Art and Design

13 Things Someone With Chronic Pain Wants You To Know

1. Yes, I am sick a lot.

2. No, I don't need you to remind me that I was also sick the week or day before.

3. Odds are, if it's out there, I've tried it. You don't need you to tell me about an article you read; trust me, half the time those aren't relevant.

4. No, it wasn't something that I ate, this is just the way my body is.

5. Just because "I might not be feeling up to it" doesn't mean you shouldn't invite me to things.

6. When you ask me, "so, are you in pain right now?" Odds are, yes, I am in pain but I'm managing it and you asking me if I'm okay all the time isn't helping.

7. Please don't point out or ask what it is I'm taking when I bring out my medication. If I'm having to take something in front of you, the pain is really bad.

8. Please, don't ask about my past exams or doctors visits. I don't say this to be rude, but if I wanted you to know I would tell you. Again, don't draw attention to my illness.

9. Just because I have grown to have a high pain tolerance, doesn't mean that you should ask me to prove it to you.

10. Despite what you think, I do live a full and happy life. The only difference is I have a different struggle than you and odds are I take more naps than you.

11. When I say I'm proud of myself, don't take it as being boastful on my part. I'm proud of the fact that I was able to get out of bed this morning. So please, as little as that may seem to you, know that that is one of the biggest struggles of my day, so don't try to belittle my accomplishment.

12. If I'm out with you and I say I need to leave or go home, know that it's because the pain has become unbearable. Don't take it personality, and please, don't get angry with me. Odds are, I'm angry with myself for not being able to follow through with our plans.

13. And just because I'm in pain, doesn't mean I'm fragile and will crumble. I am capable of a lot and I push myself in ways that only someone else with chronic pain will ever understand.

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This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.

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13 Things Someone With Chronic Pain Wants You To Know

Chronically ill? More like chronically fabulous...

1. Yes, I am sick a lot.

2. No, I don't need you to remind me that I was also sick the week or day before.

3. Odds are, if it's out there, I've tried it. You don't need you to tell me about an article you read; trust me, half the time those aren't relevant.

4. No, it wasn't something that I ate, this is just the way my body is.

5. Just because "I might not be feeling up to it" doesn't mean you shouldn't invite me to things.

6. When you ask me, "so, are you in pain right now?" Odds are, yes, I am in pain but I'm managing it and you asking me if I'm okay all the time isn't helping.

7. Please don't point out or ask what it is I'm taking when I bring out my medication. If I'm having to take something in front of you, the pain is really bad.

8. Please, don't ask about my past exams or doctors visits. I don't say this to be rude, but if I wanted you to know I would tell you. Again, don't draw attention to my illness. 9. Just because I have grown to have a high pain tolerance, doesn't mean that you should ask me to prove it to you.

10. Despite what you think, I do live a full and happy life. The only difference is I have a different struggle than you and odds are I take more naps than you.

11. When I say I'm proud of myself, don't take it as being boastful on my part. I'm proud of the fact that I was able to get out of bed this morning. So please, as little as that may seem to you, know that that is one of the biggest struggles of my day, so don't try to belittle my accomplishment.

12. If I'm out with you and I say I need to leave or go home, know that it's because the pain has become unbearable. Don't take it personality, and please, don't get angry with me. Odds are, I'm angry with myself for not being able to follow through with our plans.

13. And just because I'm in pain, doesn't mean I'm fragile and will crumble. I am capable of a lot and I push myself in ways that only someone else with chronic pain will ever understand.

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1. When course schedules are released and you have a conflict between two required classes.

2. When there is only one section of a popular course.

3. Receiving the 18,000 emails reminding you to register ASAP.

4. When you need to see an advisor, but they are too busy/unresponsive.

5. Trying not to dress like a bum for your appointments with your advisors/department heads.

6. When you have a perfectly planned out schedule, and one class ruins it.

7. Carefully moving things around to accommodate a different class/section.

8. Waking up at 6:00 a.m. for your enrollment time.

9. Concocting a new schedule at your enrollment time after your original plan gets changed.

10. Getting into a class and filling the last available seat.

11. When all of your classes finally go through.

12. Realizing that you forgot a class that was a pre-requisite for everything else.

When your capability of "adulting" is put to the test

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"Nobody living in one of the most influential nations in the world should be worried about making ends meet."

What is the current minimum wage at the federal level?

What are the benefits of raising the minimum wage?

What are the states that have set a $15/hour minimum wage?

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Because who understands your bitterness better than April?

1. When you have to provide an "interesting fact" for your first day ice-breaker.

2. When your professor is babbling on and on in his lecture.

3. When you edit your friend's paper and they get an A.

4. When it's 2 AM and you remember you have a test tomorrow.

5. When you finish taking the test and you're pretty sure you failed...

6. ...but then you get the test back and somehow passed.

7. When you've been up for 12 hours straight writing a paper.

8. And then you manage to stay awake in class the next day.

9. When you have to butter up your professor for an extra credit opportunity.

10. When you're assigned a group project.

11. And your group-mates are trying to chat about life instead of the assignment.

12. When it's your last class of the day and you're about to go home.

13. But then you remember rent is due tonight and the anger comes back.

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8. Please, don't ask about my past exams or doctors visits. I don't say this to be rude, but if I wanted you to know I would tell you. Again, don't draw attention to my illness.

9. Just because I have grown to have a high pain tolerance, doesn't mean that you should ask me to prove it to you.

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