chronic illnesses etiquette guide
I've been living with chronic illnesses for most of my life and with that I've learned a few things that I wish were common knowledge:
- do not compare different illnesses or disabilities;
- do not compare different individuals that have the same diagnosis or disabilities (or just don't compare people, in general);
- do not give unsolicited advice about other people's health (or just don't give unsolicited advice in any capacity, really, you don't wanna be that person);
- other people's health is not a matter open for discussion - unless you are a doctor and the other person is a patient, in a medical context;
- advocating for yourself ≠ asking for special treatment / attention seeking
- don't assume people are exaggerating or pretending being worse than they are. if you are going to assume something (you shouldn't), assume the opposite.
That's it, no further explanation needed.