On inappropriate envy

[sqbr]

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 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 :)

Comments

[i-palimpsest.livejournal.com]

If you'd die without chocolate. . . . you probably want to look into some therapy.

[alias_sqbr]

Well, you might have sort of rare cocoa deficiency or something :)

[i-palimpsest.livejournal.com]

You'd be better off with a cocoa supplement wouldn't you? Or possibly intravenously?

[alias_sqbr]

It's always better to try to get nutrients through your diet rather than taking supplements, and in this case it would also be the tastier option :)