12 Things Not to Say to Someone Who Has a Chronic Illness

[S 31]

Saw this on MSN...it gave me a nice little giggle, thought I'd share:

http://www.msn.com/en-us/health/medi...AAcIQFm#page=1

[Seasha]

Thanks S 31 - this is spot on and have heard many of these remarks before!

[hunterd]

http://www.msworld.org/forum/showthr...hronic+illness

Just thought I would post this so you knew that this was already a topic, for more answers, you may want to look here.

[REG53]

Oh yeah, I've heard many of these also.

[KSeraSera]

I almost wish people would say dumb things, it gives me something to respond to with a little fun and ire. Most people have reacted with a deer in the headlights look, and I'm sure they are thinking "oh dear Lord, what am I going to say"...which makes me feel like they think I'm dying.

Or they get that scared, pitying look, thinking "oh dear Lord, what am I going to say"...which makes me feel like they think I'm dying.

So, thus far, I mostly just respond to them right away..."I'm not dying". Then I end up comforting them.

[palmtree]

The worst is when they assume you are drunk and there is nothing you can say or do to dissuade them.

[Thinkimjob]

I almost wish people would say dumb things, it gives me something to respond to with a little fun and ire. Most people have reacted with a deer in the headlights look, and I'm sure they are thinking "oh dear Lord, what am I going to say"...which makes me feel like they think I'm dying.

Or they get that scared, pitying look, thinking "oh dear Lord, what am I going to say"...which makes me feel like they think I'm dying.

So, thus far, I mostly just respond to them right away..."I'm not dying". Then I end up comforting them.

I kind of feel sorry for people. What can they say? Really?
They're down to "I'm sorry", or "But you look really good".

Pull that wheelie-walker out and I swear sympathy comes to the table.