10 Things People with Chronic Illness
and Pain Need to Know
by Maggie Laura McReynolds


1. Your physical condition does not define who you are. As all-consuming as dealing with physical limitations can be, you are more than the things you can or cant do. You are your ability to give and receive love. You are the unique sculpture that is your soul. You are your interests, your passions, your distinctive point of view. You are also not your societal roles, your bank account, or your stuff. You are simply, beautifully, miraculously you, the only you there will ever be for all time. It really is enough.

2. Any chronic condition waxes and wanes. When we have good days, we can scarcely imagine what it was like to be so sick. Unfortunately, it tends to work in reverse, too-when we have bad days, we cant imagine feeling otherwise. Do yourself a favor. On a good day, write a letter to your future self, the one whos having a bad day. Describe in rich detail what a good day feels like. Remind yourself that good daysor at least not-so-crappy days-do come back around. Print it out and tape it or post it somewhere where you can easily find it, no matter how sick or stressed you may feel.

3. There is really nothing in the world that is universally good or bad. Even the best thing in the world has a downside or two. And even the most terrible tragedy imaginable can contain a gift within it. How many good things have come out of your challenges? I guarantee youll find more than one.

4. Give people the benefit of the doubt. Operate from the assumption that they are doing the best they can with whatever they have to work with at the time. That guy at the mall who told you he wishes HE could ride the mobility scooter cause his feet hurt? Hes just trying to connect with you-hey, at least he didnt pretend you werent there. And about those people who pretend youre not there. They actually think theyre helping you by not making you feel self-conscious.

5. Listen to and honor your bodys wisdom. It knows what you are capable of on any given day-and that has nothing to do with whats on your appointment calendar, or on your to-do list, or with anybodys expectations of what you should do (that includes your expectations, too). Your brain is smart enough to come up with all kinds of justifications for plunging ahead (Everyone will be so disappointed if I dont show up, No one can do this except me, Its not so badI just have a small migraine.) Dont fall for it. Be still, be quiet, and listen very carefully to what your body has to say.

6. Dont give upbut do consider giving in. Crucial distinction here. Giving up is abandoning all hope that anything will ever be any different. Giving in, however, is going with the flow. What would a bad day be like if you stopped fighting it and hating it, accepted it for what it is, and allowed things to unfold organically from there? Then pain is simply painnot a punishment. Energy depletion is simply a cue to rest. A downturn is what it is, not a predictor of what is to come. Allow yourself to simply be, without expectation, without judgment, without fear.

7. Change your focus. If things feel scary and/or overwhelming, tighten your focus and narrow it down, smaller and smaller, until youre at a scale you can handle. On a bad day, its easy to let your mind go spiraling into what-if scenarios and doomsday predictions. But if you can focus on what is okay in each individual momentthe softness of your sheets, the warmth of the sunshine through the window, the tiny bit if ease that comes from taking a deliberate, slow breathyou then ARE okay. One moment at the time. Conversely, zooming out and looking at a bigger picture, outside yourself and your challenges, can be helpful, too. When Im feeling awful, sometimes it helps to coach a client, play a game with my son, take whatever step I feel capable of to make a difference in the world. Play with changing your focus, back and forth. What feels better?

8. Stay connected to the world in whatever way you can. When I was bedridden, technology was my lifeline, my means of connecting to the world. I kept in touch with friend, family, and even carried on with my coaching practice through Skype, email, Twitter, Facebook, and the phone. Frequently the people to whom I was talking had no idea I was flat on my back in bed. Illness and pain are isolating enough without you pulling up the drawbridge and hunkering down. Reach out in as many ways as you can imagine.

9. Ask for what you need. No onenot even your closest loved onesare mind readers. Sitting and seething because your spouse ought to know by now that you need a fresh glass of water every hour and not saying anything is as insane as going into a restaurant and expecting your dinner to magically appear without ordering. Note that asking for something doesnt mean youll always get it. But not asking is pretty much a guarantee that you wont.

10. Be gentle, patient, even tender with yourself. You know how. But its funny that what comes easily with otherspreparing a nourishing meal for them, or being patient with listening to their problems, or giving them time to restcan be so hard to do for oneself. Ongoing pain and illness can lead to self-neglect and even self-loathing. Ask yourself: how would I treat a dear friend who was struggling? Guess what? That dear friend is you.