sqbr: pretty purple pi (I like pi!)
Sean ([personal profile] sqbr) wrote2008-11-09 05:28 pm
Entry tags:

On inappropriate envy

Two things you should not say to someone whose life is significantly affected by a medical condition:
1) Wow, I wish I could life your life!
2) If I had to live like that I would die

I've had quite a bit of the latter when I tell people I can't eat much chocolate etc, it get a bit frustrating. I don't mean "That must be annoying", I'm talking a reaction of intense pity and shock. (It's not that bad!)

But now I have chronic fatigue I get a lot more of the former. To anyone who wants to spend all day laying around doing nothing? Do it! What's that, you can't afford it? You'd feel guilty? People might give you crap? That doesn't stop me, don't let it stop you!

Still, thinking about this reminded me to look up [livejournal.com profile] dot_gimp_snark. Also Lauredlh has a good post about chronic fatigue and invisible disabilities here.

Tactless oaf that I am, I have almost certainly said both of these things multiple times to different people, especially since most of the time it's just people reacting in "Oh god I don't know what to say" panic, which is a common state for me. So, you know, if you've done it to me I probably just accepted it as karma :)

[identity profile] stephbg.livejournal.com 2008-11-09 11:15 am (UTC)(link)
Sometimes "Did you go to work today?" gets on my nerves, even when I'm sure it's well-meaning shorthand for "Did you feel well enough to go to work today?"

I WANT to work you MORONS.

Ahem, sorry. Feeling particularly unwell lately :-(
alias_sqbr: the symbol pi on a pretty background (Default)

[personal profile] alias_sqbr 2008-11-09 10:16 pm (UTC)(link)
How dare you vent about your health on my venting-about-health post! :) Which itself was inspired by feeling particularly achey, so I understand. Stupid uncooperative bodies.