10 Things I Want You To Know About Living With A Chronic Illness | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Health and Wellness

10 Things I Want You To Know About Living With A Chronic Illness

These are the top 10 things those of us with chronic illnesses want you to know.

37
10 Things I Want You To Know About Living With A Chronic Illness
Michaela Shelley

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.

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

15 Mind-Bending Riddles

Hopefully they will make you laugh.

189825
 Ilistrated image of the planet and images of questions
StableDiffusion

I've been super busy lately with school work, studying, etc. Besides the fact that I do nothing but AP chemistry and AP economics, I constantly think of stupid questions that are almost impossible to answer. So, maybe you could answer them for me, and if not then we can both wonder what the answers to these 15 questions could be.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

Most Epic Aurora Borealis Photos: October 2024

As if May wasn't enough, a truly spectacular Northern Lights show lit up the sky on Oct. 10, 2024

14668
stunning aurora borealis display over a forest of trees and lake
StableDiffusion

From sea to shining sea, the United States was uniquely positioned for an incredible Aurora Borealis display on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, going into Friday, Oct. 11.

It was the second time this year after an historic geomagnetic storm in May 2024. Those Northern Lights were visible in Europe and North America, just like this latest rendition.

Keep Reading...Show less
 silhouette of a woman on the beach at sunrise
StableDiffusion

Content warning: This article contains descriptions of suicide/suicidal thoughts.

When you are feeling down, please know that there are many reasons to keep living.

Keep Reading...Show less
Relationships

Power of Love Letters

I don't think I say it enough...

457659
Illistrated image of a letter with 2 red hearts
StableDiffusion

To My Loving Boyfriend,

  • Thank you for all that you do for me
  • Thank you for working through disagreements with me
  • Thank you for always supporting me
  • I appreciate you more than words can express
  • You have helped me grow and become a better person
  • I can't wait to see where life takes us next
  • I promise to cherish every moment with you
  • Thank you for being my best friend and confidante
  • I love you and everything you do

To start off, here's something I don't say nearly enough: thank you. Thank you, thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart. You do so much for me that I can't even put into words how much I appreciate everything you do - and have done - for me over the course of our relationship so far. While every couple has their fair share of tiffs and disagreements, thank you for getting through all of them with me and making us a better couple at the other end. With any argument, we don't just throw in the towel and say we're done, but we work towards a solution that puts us in a greater place each day. Thank you for always working with me and never giving up on us.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

11 Signs You Grew Up In Hauppauge, NY

Because no one ever really leaves.

26522
Map of Hauppauge, New York
Google

Ah, yes, good old Hauppauge. We are that town in the dead center of Long Island that barely anyone knows how to pronounce unless they're from the town itself or live in a nearby area. Hauppauge is home to people of all kinds. We always have new families joining the community but honestly, the majority of the town is filled with people who never leave (high school alumni) and elders who have raised their kids here. Around the town, there are some just some landmarks and places that only the people of Hauppauge will ever understand the importance or even the annoyance of.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments