1. People always say, "You are too young to be in that much pain!"
Chronic illnesses do not discriminate. I am a teenager living with a chronic illness and it doesn't matter how old you are, race, gender or where you live. All children, adolescents, young adults, adults and the elderly are at risk of developing a chronic illness.
2. "But you look perfectly fine!"
The problem is we aren't fine. Most diseases are invisible to the naked eye, but you turn our bodies inside out you would be able to see the real damage our disease has caused us. The reason most people with chronic illnesses look "fine" is because approximately 96% of chronic illnesses are classified as invisible illnesses.
3. We don't intentionally cancel plans because we don't want to hang out with you.
Trust me! We would do anything to be able to be normal and hang out with friends, but sometimes we are too sick to get out of bed in the morning. Please understand we don't mean to cancel plans last minute but our diseases can be very unpredictable. One day we might be able to go to a movie with friends, but the next day we might wind up in a hospital bed.
4. Laying in bed all day is not a luxury.
Netflix and the Internet can only entertain a person for so long. After a few hours of Netflix every single day a person gets bored and wants to be able to experience a typical life. Another thing, don't say wish you wish you could be in our shoes because this life is not glamorous by any means. Most of those with chronic illnesses would rather be out working or hanging out with friends.
5. "It's all in your head."
This is a common phrase heard by those with chronic illnesses. We don't make up these disease because it's fun. These diseases are very real. When not treated many of these diseases can cause some very serious physical effects to a person's body, such as decreased lung function, paralysis, extreme weight loss and vomiting.
6. Do not pity us.
Those with chronic illnesses are able to do most everything a healthy person is able to do, we just have extra challenges along the way. It may take some extra time, but eventually we will get there. The pity we receive makes us feel like you are missing out on all the amazing things we can do. Try not to focus on the "I can't," and look at what amazing people we are. We get enough pity from random strangers so we don't need to hear it from our friends and family as well.
7. If you don't know about our disease ask.
We will be more than happy to explain our disease to you so you'll be able to better understand our condition. Information found online may not be entirely accurate or related to our specific diagnosis. Never assume that you know it all when more than likely you do not. Please don't come up to us saying you've found our miracle cure on the Internet because more than likely you have not.
8. Most importantly we are not lazy.
A large portion of those with chronic illnesses struggle with fatigue. Therefore, it leaves our already struggling body with lack of energy. Imagine if you were fighting a battle against your own body. Your body would have to do both parts of the fighting! Could you imagine how much energy that has to take? We try to stay caught up with work and school and not stay in bed all day but it does get hard at times.
9. "If only you would exercise more."
A person's physical strength does play a role in chronic illnesses, but trust me when I say we try to keep pressing on to do as much as we can. However, many disease can limit the amount of energy and strength a person has which can makes exercising difficult. There are some chronic illnesses which require patients not to exercise for a given length of time. Often time exercise may increase a patient's symptoms making the patient's chronic illness worse. The patient's physician will be able to tell whether exercise would be beneficial.
10. "If only you were more positive! Then you would feel better.
Everyday we wake up, put on a brave face, smile and act like nothing is wrong. People with chronic illnesses are some of the bravest, happiest people I have met! They love life for what it is because they know life is short and you don't get a second chance. It is hard to be positive everyday when nothing seems to go right and you are in so much pain. However, everyone is entitled to a mental breakdown every once in a while.
