5 Ways My Chronic Illnesses Have Made Me Be a Better Person
When you're living with chronic illness, it's easy to focus on the drawbacks. Even after I went gluten free, celiac disease almost killed me - and I still battle some stomach issues. Similarly, although going gluten free greatly reduced my fibromyalgia pain, I still have my fair share of fibromyalgia flare ups and bad days.
I always attempt to attention at the positives, though - and this publish is not any exception! Today, I'm sharing five motives why being identified with chronic ailments (earlier than the age of 18!) has made me a higher individual...And the way you might be capable to say the equal aspect.
1. I understand the distinction that a few kind phrases or the guide from a stranger could make.
Can one person surely make a difference? That's a not unusual enough query, and the answer isn't always apparent. However, my enjoy with celiac sickness and fibromyalgia implies a massive Y-E-S.
When I was hospitalized due to celiac complications, Gluten Dude shared my story and hundreds of people from all over the world sent me healing thoughts and kind words. Sure, those words didn't "heal" me; however, they did keep me from feeling so alone in my hospital bed. And when I'm having a fibromyalgia flare-up or a "fluffy" (aka super bloated for no reason) day, a silly meme from my best friend or a short phone call with my mom never fails to make me feel a little bit better.
Kind words cannot remedy the entirety, but you in no way know how tons of a distinction they could make. So the next time you notice a person suffering - whether because of chronic sickness or regular demanding situations - why not ship some nice vibes and encouragement their manner?
2. I've felt wrongly judged via my appearance - and I attempt to now not do the identical.
One of the biggest challenges of having an invisible illness is that you look "normal," but your body doesn't always behave that way. If you have celiac disease, this may mean that people assume you're a gluten free fad dieter ditching bread out of misinformed vanity when you ask for a gluten free menu. Or, if you have fibromyalgia, you might get disapproving looks when you use a handicapped parking spot but look "just fine."
The reality? Being wrongly stereotyped based totally for your look, well, hurts - and I attempt to use my personal painful stories as motivation to now not do the same to others.
Of course, it would be a lie to say that I never judge anyone by their appearance. Stereotypes - harmful, or otherwise - are one way that we organize and make sense of the world around us. We see homeless people and think, "They're so lazy! Why can't they just get a job?" instead of considering the mental and invisible illnesses that they could be facing. Or, we spot gorgeous men or women and assume that their life is perfect...even though their medical history may be anything but. However, being aware of your own assumptions and stereotypical thinking is a step in the right direction.
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After all, the extra aware you're of your very own assumptions, the extra intentionally you may look at how correct those assumptions truely are. At least in my enjoy, the sector wishes much less judgment and greater empathy - and you can assist lead the alternate.
3. I've discovered that, once in a while, not paying attention to your body isn't an choice.
You've probably heard the phrase, "No pain, no gain" - and, at first glance, there's nothing wrong with that mantra. After all, I'm all about striving for improvement. However, if my fibromyalgia and celiac disease diagnoses have taught me anything, it's the importance of listening to the messages your body is sending.
For instance, I remember that a month before my celiac diagnosis, I suddenly started craving my mom's chicken and rice bake. "It's so weird," I remember telling her. "But I feel better after eating that than most other things." Little did I know that the bake was lower in gluten than most of the other foods my family ate...and that my body was hinting at my need for a gluten free diet a few weeks before I received the life-changing phone call from my doctor.
Similarly, living with fibromyalgia means paying close attention to my daily pain levels. If my muscles are especially tense, I've learned that a yoga session is more helpful than weight lifting. And, after a few months of experimenting, I've realized that eating corn in large doses often means extra painful joints the next day.
Sure, from time to time you need to reject your frame's needs to simply lay on the couch all day and concentrate for your mind and do a exercise or go to elegance alternatively. Other times, though, being attentive to your frame can literally remodel - or even store - your life.
Four. I've discovered the significance of advocating for myself...And I try to educate others the equal ability.
When you reflect onconsideration on living with chronic illness, the time period "proscribing" may come to mind. Surprisingly enough, even though, continual illnesses can also be empowering...And I actually have my chronic illnesses to thank for my loud and proud advocacy.
Fibromyalgia has shown me that doctors don't always know everything - and that you might need to fight for the diagnosis and treatment you need. Meanwhile, celiac disease has helped me realize that I'm not "bothersome" or "annoying" for giving extensive explanations and instructions to restaurant staff. It is not my fault that gluten can literally kill me, and it is my right as a customer to receive safe, delicious food. If a restaurant cannot accommodate me, that's fine; tell me, and I'll go somewhere else. However, I refuse to endanger myself to be an "easier" customer or lunch date.
Yes, I still have moments of self-consciousness when I'm the only person eating who needs a "special" meal. But I also know that I'm special for many more reasons than my chronic illnesses - just like everyone else!
5. I've accepted that I don't have to be perfectly "healthy" to be capable of success and worthy of love.
On a comparable observe, my chronic ailments have also shown me that I'll probably in no way be "typical" - but that I'm no less fantastic because of it.
I was diagnosed with celiac disease a few weeks before my first date. Of course, I promptly glutened myself on movie theatre popcorn and felt less lovesick and more, well, gluten sick in the following days. Since then, though, I've had my share of successful dates. I've learned that needing a guy to brush his teeth before kissing isn't a mood killer and that bringing my own food to a "meet-the-parents" brunch is less of a big deal than I worried.
I've also seen that, with the right determination and planning, my chronic illnesses can't stop me from chasing my dreams. Despite the hospitalization, the food prep and the bumps along the way, I graduated college with a 4.0 GPA. Despite my unique "employee" needs, I worked my first full time job with a kick-ass feminist magazine called Entity. And, now, I'm teaching my first college course and attending grad school to receive an MFA in Creative Nonfiction.
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I've constantly grown up listening to the phrase, "Everything occurs for a reason." And whilst that can be harder to consider with certain events than others, I 100% trust that it applies to my journey with chronic illness. Why? Sure, fibromyalgia and celiac disease come with masses of challenges, and I complain of these greater on a few days than others. However, they've additionally helped shape me into the empathetic, decided, strong and confident lady I am nowadays...And for that, I am grateful.
And I wish that when you mirror in your very own lifestyles with persistent illness, you could find a few effective factors that make you say the identical component.
No questions these days - just tell me your thoughts!
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