Are You Prejudice Against the Chronically Ill?

When you first read the title of this article, you probably automatically think, "Who me? No, of course not! I would never be prejudiced against someone who is sick!" Once you have finished reading this article, you may find that you answer differently. The hardest part of having a chronic illness is not the actual illness itself, but people's ignorance to it. Whoever coined the phrase "ignorance is bliss" was obviously a healthy person!

As a chronically ill person, I have made it a personal goal to educate society on the myths and prejudices of life as a sick person. Illnesses like Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia, which are common and well-known, are two of the most misunderstood diseases. Over the past 20 years the medical community and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are mostly to blame for the American public's unawareness of these diseases. Even today, after major research and millions of sick patients, there are still many physicians who believe these illnesses do not exist.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) and Fibromyalgia (FMS) are very complex diseases that have several symptoms each that can range from mild to disabling. I can honestly say that I do understand why it is hard for people to comprehend what we go through daily.

What do you think when I say I never have a day where I feel good? Some days are better than others, but I never feel normal. If you are healthy, my reality is probably impossible for you to fathom. By admitting and saying I am chronically ill does not mean that I define myself as just a chronically ill person. It is a fact, reality and it is something I have to admit and be fully aware of because of the repercussions that I will experience if I do not heed to my body's warnings.