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Teenagers
with Chronic Illnesses A website for teens and young adults with chronic illnesses |
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About
our Illnesses Announcements
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"Don't
Assume" Don't assume that because I look well that I feel well. Looks can be very deceiving. Many days I look great but feel terrible. Don't say "I know how you feel." No one knows how anyone else feels. We all have varying thresholds of pain, and pain cannot be measured. Don't tell me about your Aunt Gertrude and her MS and how she managed in spite of it. I am doing the best I can. Don't tell me "It could be worse." I don't need to be reminded. Don't decide what I am capable of doing. Allow me to make those decisions. There may be times I'm wrong, but I'll know soon enough. Don't be upset that you cannot ease my problems. It won't do any good for both of us to be miserable. Don't ask me how I feel unless you really want to know. You may hear a lot more than you are prepared to listen to. Don't assume because I did a certain activity yesterday that I can do it today. Don't tell me about the latest fad cure. If there is a legitimate treatment, my doctor will let me know. Do realize I am angry and frustrated with the disease, not with you. Do let me know you are available to help me when I ask. Do offer me lots of encouragement. Do understand why I cancel plans at the last minute. I never know from one day to the next how I will feel. Do continue to invite me to activities. Just because I am not able to bike ride along with the gang does not mean I can't meet you for the picnic at the end of the trail. Please let me decide."
See
this issue in the Sun Herald at: http://www.sunherald.com/mld/thesunherald/2004/07/17/living/9176079.htm
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