It seems so strange to me that so many people have an opinion about chronically ill sufferers AND feel entitled to voice it. 

Seriously. 

Yesterday a lady I had never met before AND who had no idea who I was or what my illness was…yet felt completely comfortable telling me that “… it’s all about attitude. If you believe you will get better, you will…you should try…” 

I was surprised by the level of uninvited judgement she felt comfortable sharing with me! Would it have been ok to do that to her?

It was obvious to me by her appearance that I could guess her nationality, which I could have used to make up my own sweeping statements and generalizations about what she could or should do… but I believe that this behaviour is not appropriate or respectful, and to make assumptions about people based on their gender, nationality, faith, religion, education and sexuality is just plain wrong!… but apparently it’s ok to judge the sick! 

In fact it’s SO common that it is rare when people don’t judge you or form their own medical conclusions. Even though they aren’t doctors OR in your body. 

The chronically ill are constantly told  how we should eat, and to “…try that, change this, take this, be more something…” and so on and so forth.

all judgements made about us without even the slightest clue about our illness, what we have tried, what we have done, or what we do everyday!!

It’s insulting. It’s ridiculous. And it’s rude! 

I have never walked up to a complete stanger and told them how to live their life and/or passed judgement on what type of person they are or what they should do better. And… I know I never would. 

It happens so regularly that I felt it worth blogging about AND I believe that it illustrates the level of disrespect that the chronically ill and ‘invisibly disabled’ are subjected to. Probably some of the MOST openly disrespected group of people around. 

I invite you all to consider this carefully and to ask yourself what we can do, or what we might try to do, to combat this behaviour and reclaim our rights to respect and consideration. I think that is the least we deserve after all we have been through. 

Gentle hugs, 

Trish