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] terrycat.livejournal.com 2008-11-10 09:59 am (UTC)(link)
I find that mental activity wears me down more, and that I don't bounce back as quickly from it. Which is why I have the reputation of being a bit of a grunt; I can handle doing serious physical stuff as long as I budget for it, but doing any intense mental effort leaves me drained for weeks.