Attention seeking... Almost everyone I know who has a chronic illness has at one point or another been accused of looking for attention. I really think the only way that you can avoid being accused of attention seeking through your illness is if you never talk about your illness, EVER. For me, the problem is that it's not possible to never mention Lyme disease because it takes up such a large portion of my life! I talk about chronic illness the same way any other young person would talk about work or school, because it's such a part of me, and it's a full-time job to manage. I can't help but laugh every time someone says that "I must love attention" because first of all, who in their right mind would love attention so much that they would make up a disease to get it? Second of all, most people don't even believe that Lyme disease is a real disease. So if I was really looking for attention, wouldn't I choose a method that is a little more effective? (P.S. I really don't like being the center of attention anyway.) Here's the bottom line: I have been to places that a lot of people can't comprehend. I've experienced such darkness, pain, and isolation, that it grieves me to think that anybody else would have to suffer through this alone. For that reason, I choose to share my story and talk about what I've been through because greater love and understanding for this community of people could possibly change the world for the better. I've developed such a passion for raising awareness because NOBODY deserves to be alone in this fight. My illness has nothing to do with my desire (or lack of desire) for attention. It has everything to do with reaching for the hands that hand down in despair, and hoping that I can play a part in lifting them out of the darkness. Comment below if you have ever been accused of attention seeking because of your illness, and why you choose to share your story!
0 Comments
Your comment will be posted after it is approved.
Leave a Reply. |
Introducing:
|