With Chronic Illness, I Don’t Want Special Treatment, just Understanding

As someone who has invisible illnesses, I am no stranger to getting looks of disbelief when I say I have no energy or I cannot do something that an able-bodied person can completely.

When I was diagnosed with my heart condition, Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS), what I felt was a sense of relief mixed with fear of never being able to live a “normal” life.

I was able to treat the symptoms that had been plaguing me since I was 5-years old. The vertigo and randomly passing out after standing up too fast suddenly made sense. I had no idea that these were not symptoms that everyone else experienced. Because both of my older sisters and mom have the same condition, I did not know that these experiences were not universal.

I have been in the emergency room more times than I can count.

About a month ago I received my most recent diagnosis, Cyclic Vomiting Syndrome (CVS), and while this has led to some answers and relief, there is still too much up in the air for my liking.

Most chronically ill people in media are a beacon of light and hope. People look to them to feel better about themselves because someone who is going through complex mental issues can be positive and not complain. Why would the average person have anything to gripe about?

I want to be like these people, but I simply cannot.

I wake up every day, take my medication, and have to go through life as an able-bodied person even though I am far from it. I have the same rules and regulations to be followed, even if my body is not well.

Bills do not care if you are ill or not; they are due nevertheless. Shifts need to be covered even if I have to hold on to a counter to stay standing. Assignments are due whether I am in a hospital bed or not, and instructors have the right to ask for my personal medical information to prove I was not just slacking off for a week.

I don’t want or need special treatment. I don’t want people to look at me like I am less than or unable to do things. I just want people to understand that my life, just like every other chronically ill person’s, is not typical.

Torie Price is a McPherson sophomore studying journalism and the Collegian’s Opinion Page Editor. She can be followed on Instagram.

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