Chronic Illness: The Difference Between Celebrity & Civilian | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Entertainment

Chronic Illness: The Difference Between Celebrity and Civilian

In a situation like this, it's important to remember there are two sides to the journey.

95
https://www.instagram.com/p/BpuW6BXAP5H/
https://www.instagram.com/p/BnzJEXZFJLz/

Recently, Sarah Hyland's name has been circulating every news outlet due to her fight with chronic illness.

Hyland was born with kidney dysplasia, a condition where the kidneys do not form properly while the child is in the womb. Kidney dysplasia causes cysts to grow on the kidneys thus impairing their function.

Most patients with the condition can go on to have varying levels of health complications; however, Hyland's was so severe that she went into kidney failure. In 2012, her father was a match and gave her one of his kidneys. She was only 21 at the time.

Later in 2016, Hyland"s body rejected the new kidney, and she needed to have it removed. She, unbeknownst to the media, had another kidney transplant. Her brother being the second kidney donor.

In an interview with Self, Hyland describes her journey through this process. Hyland told the media outlet, "When a family member gives you second chance at life, and it fails, it almost feels as if it's your fault."

The actress also goes on to say that she faced depression and contemplated suicide while going through dialysis and the removal of her failed kidney.

Sarah Hyland is not the only celebrity whose health journey has been broadcasted in the media recently. Selena Gomez has also faced a battle with a chronic illness, albeit different from Hyland's.

Selena Gomez has lupus, an autoimmune disease that can affect multiple organs in the body. An autoimmune disease is an illness where the immune system attacks the healthy tissues in the body as if they were foreign invaders.

Gomez was diagnosed 6 years ago with the autoimmune disease and has faced a number of complications, including kidney failure and subsequently a kidney transplant.

Both actresses have gone through significant trauma but have kept their heads high.

While everyone's journeys with chronic illness are different, there are differences between the celebrity and civilian experience.

As someone battling chronic illness, it is both empowering and dismaying to watch these women.

It seems as though both women had fairly quick processes once their matches were found.

On average, it takes 3-5 years for a civilian to find a kidney donor. The procedure also costs up to $260,000. The wait list for a kidney alone has 93,000 people on it.

Most people facing organ transplants do not have the financial stability to pay for the procedures like these two talented women. Finding matches that quickly also seems unlikely.

While hearing their struggles with chronic illness helps the regular person not feel alone, it can also make them feel as though the process won't be so swift for them.

I am not at all discounting the long roads Hyland and Gomez have been down, but in a situation like this, it's important to remember there are two sides to the journey.

To donate to the Lupus Research Alliance, click the following link: https://www.classy.org/give/123231/#!/donation/checkout

To become an organ donor, click the following link: https://www.organdonor.gov/register.html

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Kardashians
W Magazine

Whether you love them or hate them, it's undeniable the Kardashian/ Jenner family has built an enormous business empire. Ranging from apps, fashion lines, boutiques, beauty products, books, television shows, etc. this bunch has shown they are insane business moguls. Here are seven reasons why the Kardashian/ Jenner family should be applauded for their intelligent business tactics.

Keep Reading...Show less
friends
Photo by Elizeu Dias on Unsplash

If I have learned one thing in my lifetime, it is that friends are a privilege. No one is required to give you their company and yet there is some sort of shared connection that keeps you together. And from that friendship, you may even find yourself lucky enough to have a few more friends, thus forming a group. Here are just a few signs that prove your current friend group is the ultimate friend group.

Keep Reading...Show less
ross and monica
FanPop

When it comes to television, there’s very few sets of on-screen siblings that a lot of us can relate to. Only those who have grown up with siblings knows what it feels like to fight, prank, and love a sibling. Ross and Monica Geller were definitely overbearing and overshared some things through the series of "Friends," but they captured perfectly what real siblings feel in real life. Some of their antics were funny, some were a little weird but all of them are completely relatable to brothers and sisters everywhere.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

11 Types Of Sorority Girls

Who really makes up your chapter...

3107
Sorority Girls
Owl Eyes Magazine

College is a great place to meet people, especially through Greek life. If you look closely at sororities, you'll quickly see there are many different types of girls you will meet.

1. The Legacy.

Her sister was a member, her mom was a member, all of her aunts were members, and her grandma was a member. She has been waiting her whole life to wear these letters and cried hysterically on bid day. Although she can act entitled at times, you can bet she is one of the most enthusiastic sisters.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

10 Reasons Why Life Is Better In The Summertime

Winter blues got you down? Summer is just around the corner!

2706
coconut tree near shore within mountain range
Photo by Elizeu Dias on Unsplash

Every kid in college and/or high school dreams of summer the moment they walk through the door on the first day back in September. It becomes harder and harder to focus in classes and while doing assignments as the days get closer. The winter has been lagging, the days are short and dark, and no one is quite themselves due to lack of energy and sunlight. Let's face it: life is ten times better in the summertime.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments