Hello everyone,
While scrolling through Instagram one night I came across a post about things you should not say to people living with chronic illnesses. It was posted by a beautiful young woman named Tayarra Smith and everything she said was spot on and with her permission, I am reposting it here.
@taytay_100000
On a good day, a person with a chronic illness might not necessarily "look sick," often leaving those around to them to assume they're not. Well, here is a reality check for those folks. Unfortunately, living with chronic illnesses are an 'invisible illness' which means that you are always sick - some days are just better than others, or it could be continuing to get worse, but they hide it with makeup, with a smile, etc. These crazy chronic illnesses have a funny way of fooling people, which I have learned through the years and hundreds of inappropriate, creepy ignorant and just downright uncompassionate comments. Here are some comments I've encountered that literally made me want to poke my eyes out with a rusty butter knife. If you ever come across someone who is chronically ill, do both yourself and him or her a favor and do not repeat these! Ever, like, never people. "You should really think about how lucky you are - lots of people have it worse than you." You're right buddy, a lot of people have it worse than me. Many have it better. But suffering is subjective and cannot be measured by anyone. Symptoms get worse and people suffer more than ever. Life isn't fair - people will always have more or less than others. But chronic illness patients have their own journey they are going through and it's horrific at times. We are the ones living with these illnesses every day so please don't compare our battles to others. And don't tell us how to feel, because if we feel anything, it certainly isn't "lucky." "You need to get out more - you're just depressed, not sick."
"You're just being anti-social. You need to be more positive."
"You should really try this new diet, pill, vitamin, etc!"
We are all trying our best and that's what we will continue to do. Please be mindful what you say or think. It can affect us in ways you don't understand.
I know a few people living with chronic illnesses and seeing them suffer the way they are breaks my heart. No one should never say the things Tayarra mentioned in her post. I also want to add that illnesses are nothing to joke about. I have heard stories of people laughing and making jokes about serious illnesses, including cancer. Once I even heard that someone had faked death just to get attention from her favourite celebrities. That is horrible and so disrespectful. Please be careful and think before you speak, not just to ill people, but to anyone. You never know what people are going through and what affect it can have.
Tayarra Smith is a model, actress and YouTuber who is also an advocate for the disabled, chronic and mental illness community. I highly recommend you all check out her YouTube channel (Tayarra Smith) and Instagram (@taytay_100000) and follow her. After our conversation, I can tell that she is very passionate about what she does. Keep up the great work Tayarra!
I hope you all have had a lovely weekend and are ready for another week of school, university and work.
Vishi xoxo
While scrolling through Instagram one night I came across a post about things you should not say to people living with chronic illnesses. It was posted by a beautiful young woman named Tayarra Smith and everything she said was spot on and with her permission, I am reposting it here.
@taytay_100000
On a good day, a person with a chronic illness might not necessarily "look sick," often leaving those around to them to assume they're not. Well, here is a reality check for those folks. Unfortunately, living with chronic illnesses are an 'invisible illness' which means that you are always sick - some days are just better than others, or it could be continuing to get worse, but they hide it with makeup, with a smile, etc. These crazy chronic illnesses have a funny way of fooling people, which I have learned through the years and hundreds of inappropriate, creepy ignorant and just downright uncompassionate comments. Here are some comments I've encountered that literally made me want to poke my eyes out with a rusty butter knife. If you ever come across someone who is chronically ill, do both yourself and him or her a favor and do not repeat these! Ever, like, never people. "You should really think about how lucky you are - lots of people have it worse than you." You're right buddy, a lot of people have it worse than me. Many have it better. But suffering is subjective and cannot be measured by anyone. Symptoms get worse and people suffer more than ever. Life isn't fair - people will always have more or less than others. But chronic illness patients have their own journey they are going through and it's horrific at times. We are the ones living with these illnesses every day so please don't compare our battles to others. And don't tell us how to feel, because if we feel anything, it certainly isn't "lucky." "You need to get out more - you're just depressed, not sick."
"You're just being anti-social. You need to be more positive."
"You should really try this new diet, pill, vitamin, etc!"
We are all trying our best and that's what we will continue to do. Please be mindful what you say or think. It can affect us in ways you don't understand.
I know a few people living with chronic illnesses and seeing them suffer the way they are breaks my heart. No one should never say the things Tayarra mentioned in her post. I also want to add that illnesses are nothing to joke about. I have heard stories of people laughing and making jokes about serious illnesses, including cancer. Once I even heard that someone had faked death just to get attention from her favourite celebrities. That is horrible and so disrespectful. Please be careful and think before you speak, not just to ill people, but to anyone. You never know what people are going through and what affect it can have.
Tayarra Smith is a model, actress and YouTuber who is also an advocate for the disabled, chronic and mental illness community. I highly recommend you all check out her YouTube channel (Tayarra Smith) and Instagram (@taytay_100000) and follow her. After our conversation, I can tell that she is very passionate about what she does. Keep up the great work Tayarra!
I hope you all have had a lovely weekend and are ready for another week of school, university and work.
Vishi xoxo
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