As more and more stories of medical neglect as a result of marginalization are brought to light, I hope that we can collectively reduce that disconnect and bring understanding and accommodation of marginalized backgrounds into our medical system, rather than using the medical system to further enforce their oppression. Maya Strong’s guest post today is one of those stories.
Tag: invisible illness
I Don’t Have Interstitial Cystitis
As if I didn’t have enough health conditions already, this article is the story of how I thought I had interstitial cystitis… and then found out that I didn’t.
Why Chronic Illness Makes It So Hard to Leave Home
My chronically ill friends and I joke about the medicine cabinet worth of supplies we take with us on any trip that’s longer than an hour because we never know what we’re going to need. But why is such intensive preparation required for a simple outing? Why does chronic illness make it so hard to leave home, even for a few hours?
Spoon Theory: What Silverware Has to Do with Chronic Illness
Have you ever dealt with a chronic illness and struggled to explain to your healthy friends why you just can’t go out with them anymore? Have you ever heard someone say, “I don’t have the spoons for that,” and wondered what they were talking about? They’re talking about Spoon Theory! In this article, I’ll provide a basic overview of spoon theory, how it was created, how it’s used, and further expansions on spoon theory that I’ve found helpful.
Let’s End the Stigma Against Anti-Depressants
When I first started taking anti-depressants, I knew I could benefit from connecting to others over the shared experience but the fear of rejection was too powerful. There’s an enormous stigma against anti-depressants, or taking any medication at all for mental health. But there shouldn’t be.
Advice on Cancer from an Actual Real Cancer Having Person
Those of us who have dealt with a chronic illness understand the value of using humor to face the difficulty and often indignity involved in our daily life. We also use humor to connect with others, particularly those who have gone through the same trials that we have. Liz Winship’s advice on cancer is specific to her condition, but her advice rings true for anyone with chronic illness.