You can find more Freaky Friday posts on the Friday 5/17 Link List.Just like in the movie, today we’re doing a swap. If you could switch chronic diseases, which one would you choose to deal with instead of diabetes? And while we’re considering other chronic conditions, do you think your participation in the DOC has affected how you treat friends and acquaintances with other medical conditions? (Thanks to Jane of Jane K. Dickinson, RN, PhD, CDE and Bob of T Minus Two for this topic suggestion.)
The old saying goes that the grass is always greener on the other side of the fence. But when I think about dealing with any chronic illness, I find that statement to be completely false. When it comes to chronic illnesses, none of those affected have plush green lawns. But we tend to them as best we can. We try to keep them watered and well fed, and we try to pluck out the weeds that spring up. This is my convoluted way of saying that I think I’ll keep diabetes rather than swap it out for another chronic illness. No chronic illness is easy. Diabetes is the one I was dealt, and I think I’ll stick with what I know.
Has the DOC affected how I treat others with chronic illnesses? I really hope it has. Reading other people’s experiences and frustrations with diabetes has shown that even though people may not seem to be struggling on the outside, they can be on the inside. It has reminded me how deeply a careless word or seemingly harmful joke can hurt. Hearing the misconceptions others have encountered reminds me that the things I think I know about other conditions may also be misconceptions. And most of all, it makes me want to help others with chronic illnesses find a safe and supportive community like our DOC - because everyone deserves just that.
Great post Karen.
ReplyDeleteDOC rocks in so many ways. no other OC could be as good as ours :)
I am glad to see you decided to keep diabetes too - I felt bad writing that I was going to keep it!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful post, Karen.
ReplyDelete