To the Person who Pities Me

I know that you love me, worry about me, or whatever else, but I need you to stop acting like I'm likely to break.  It is really starting to get on my nerves.

I am sick, big deal.

I'm also nineteen.  I'm a big girl, and this is my life.  I have to live it as normally as I can.  When you act like I'm made of glass, it is kind of difficult to do that.

Please understand that this is no big thing for me.  I have been sick for a long time now.  I just incorporate it into everyday life.  Sure, I have more medicine than most people my age, and I might have my specialty clinics on speed dial, but that's just me.  Treat me like anyone else, and I will tell you what I can handle and if I need your help, but don't just assume I need it without a second thought.

I need you to realize that I will have good days and bad days.  Having a chronic illness is just like that.  Some mornings I wake up, crack open my eyes, and realize that there is no way I am going to make it to class on time if at all.  Other mornings I feel great in comparison to the prior.  Either way, I will take care of me and you take care of you.  When you coddle me and constantly ask if I can handle this or that, I feel like a little child again.

I can see the look you give me.... like I can't do for myself.  I'll have you know that I have taken care of myself everyday and will continue to do so until there is no fight left in me.  Newsflash I still have a lot of fight.

So, next time I take out a med or reset my feeding pump, don't look at me like I am a helpless and sad thing.  Don't go on about how bad you feel the next time we hang out and you need to stop for a bite to eat.  Please don't apologize for talking about your pain when you "know my pain must be so much worse."

Like I said, I'm a big girl.

I have no problem taking care of my medical needs, I know that you need to eat to survive, and I am perfectly aware of the fact that though I may be in more pain I am used to it and you may not be so accustomed.

You have no reason to pity me.

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