5 Ways My Chronic Illnesses Are Gifts
When I got sick in kindergarten, I understood the weight of being ill. I knew more than most children how precious life is.
This has led to a lifetime of me being that person who stops the car to escort a ladybug from my car to a nice leaf.
Just ask my husband.
My multiple chronic illnesses, including fibromyalgia and systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis, have caused a lot of pain.
They increased the isolation I felt as a child growing up in an abusive home.
They led to disfigurements that cause nearly non-stop pain.
They led to a kajillion dollars being paid out to healthcare providers and systems and being put on my credit cards.
There are some less ugly things related to my illnesses, though, that I am proud of.
I have friendships I would not otherwise have.
My illnesses have pushed me in the direction of online advocacy. Through that, I have made some of the coolest and most accommodating friends.
There is something so amazing in having other people understand your life and your experiences without necessarily having to explain too much.
I have just met amazing people.
I have had the opportunity to meet amazing people like Karen Duffy, Ana Villafañe, and others. This is often due to a tie-in with chronic illnesses and issues faced by patients.
I have had amazing experiences.
I have been able to travel to San Francisco, New York City, Milwaukee, Chicago, and other locations to discuss how we can change healthcare for the better.
I work hard.
I am a freelance writer, chronic illness/patient activist, and more. I am fairly involved in the lives of others. We have guinea pigs who need a lot of attention and love.
Oh, and I am working on my master’s degree on top of it all.
I love you.
I probably have no idea who you are, what your background is like, or the types of experiences you’ve had. Because I have been through some really rough things as an empath, I have developed a large amount of compassion for others.
I don’t know you, but I love you.
There are many ugly parts to having multiple chronic illnesses.
It sucks.
But, as Doctor Who would say:
“The good things don’t always soften the bad things, but vice-versa, the bad things don’t necessarily spoil the good things and make them unimportant.”
