People that have illnesses do not need to be compared to others. Each person has their own limitations. Yet, People want you to think that your illness could be worse. That you should be grateful that you do not have a more deadly illness.
I have a hard time with this dilemma myself. It is easy to say I am glad that I don't have this or that. Sometimes when we look at one situation or another we can feel blessed that we are not worse off. Yet, this is saying that other people are less fortunate because we think one illness is worse than what we have.
I am shocked at how many of my friends and family do not understand that every person has something that limits their ability. You might not be able to walk, to hear, or to eat certain food. Yet, what we have to remember is that we are not to judge what we can't or can do to what others can.
We are not our illness. We may be limited by what we can do but it isn't who we are. Our lives are so much more. People have a hard time accepting limits from people when they can't see their illness. It is easy to say that someone on a cane or walker is disabled. Yet, someone else who has balance issues might not be to the that stage yet.
We need to teach people that they have to accept us the way we are. Not to judge our illness with others. There is no one alive today that doesn't live with some form of pain or disease. Yet, there are those that have become disabled because of their illness. We as humans need to accept that just because someone isn't on death doors doesn't mean that they are strong and healthy.
Yet, there is something else that we can take from this statement. How do you think it feels to people that are living or are survivors of cancer to hear other diseases compared to their illness. I can only imagine that they feel as people think that they are doomed. Yet, there are many survivors of cancer. We need to make sure that we do not set up people with cancer as the doomed illness. The hope is that no one dies and there is a lot of research that is working to defeat it.
The next time that you start comparing someones illness you need to think about how it will affect them. Are you belittling the way they actually feel by saying others feel worse. We also need to understand that not all people with the same illness will react the same way. It is amazing when you hear people say you cant have that because my sister does and she cant do the things you are doing. Think a minute how that has to feel to the recipient. It is like they are making up their illness. Yet, even people that are "healthy" are not all able to do the same thing. Each of us are different and we should be looked at that way.
Takeaways:
Bless those that are better off in the way they feel. Bless those that can do more with their illness than others. Bless those that can overcome the stigma of their illness. Bless those that have a positive spirit.
Do not compare those that are sick. Do not compare one illness with another. Do not compare people with the same illness.
Try to understand those that have silent illnesses. Acknowledge that the way they feel is real. Help them live up to their potential. Accept the things that they cannot do them self. Pray for those that are on their last stand. Work with those that need an extra hand.
Pray that sickness and disease will end. Pray that those that are sick will make recovery. Pray for cures for illnesses that people have. Pray for peace for those that are struggling. Pray for healing to come to all.
Most important of all be real. Accept that everyone is struggling with something. Don't try to compare situations. Understand that the person who is sick is living their own turmoils. Be supportive and listen when they need someone just to talk to. You will be amazed how your life and theirs can change when people are showed a little love.
For my fellow fighters keep on fighting and remember one day they will figure this out and we will have won. Until then don't give up hope. It is okay to rest on bad days, but on the good days enjoy life to your fullest because you deserve it.
No comments:
Post a Comment