Hi! Curious abt a thing, pls comment!

Part 1:

Do you have a chronic illness/condition? 

Yes. 

Do you know someone with a chronic illness?

Yup.

How would you describe your personality?

All over the place. 😂

What’s a strength that you have?

My creativity. 

What’s one of your weak spots?

Patience. Definitely need to work on that.

How much do you think you know about chronic illness, out of 10?

Maybe 4.

Part 2:

What is chronic illness?

It's where people have a health problem that lasts for a while. They can go to doctors to try and get treatment, but it's still there and they're still in pain. 😞

What is fatigue (in the context of chronic illnesses)?

Where no amount of sleep seems to matter. Body still feels tired and drained. 😞

What is spoon theory?

No idea. 

What is an example of a chronic illness?

Gout. 😞

P1:

Do you have a chronic illness/condition? (I don’t want details, just yes or no) Yes.

Do you know someone with a chronic illness? Yes and No. I think my older sister had said she had chronic fatigue syndrome but that was, like, 20 years ago when this was mentioned, and I don’t think the topic has ever surfaced again.

How would you describe your personality? Very quiet, almost shy.

What’s a strength that you have? Practical problem solving, like coming up with a way to recycle paper towels.

What’s one of your weak spots? Remembering anything my ex-wife says … just kidding. I can’t “carry a tune”. 

How much do you think you know about chronic illness, out of 10? 4 out of 10 (ten, being a lot)

Note for part 2: important!!!

Nobody’s grading you. If you don’t know something, you can say that, or you can guess, it’s ok. Just don’t look anything up or read other comments first!

P2:

What is chronic illness? My guess: Chronic illness is a condition in which symptoms never go away. They may be managed but never “cured” nor resolved.

What is fatigue (in the context of chronic illnesses)? My guess: fatigue is a lack of energy without an identifiable cause.  

What is an example of a chronic illness? Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

What is spoon theory? Based on my extensive quantitative research, published in the February 1994 issue of the American Journal of Medicine: spoon theory is the ideal ratio of person #1 laying on their side such that the back side of person #2 fits perfectly within the crescent arc formed by the front side of person #1’s body.

Ok, now I have a couple of questions for you. What is your interest in chronic illnesses? Are you doing some unofficial research, or something? The reason I ask is because I thought this was a very interesting exercise/survey, and I think I may have a chronic illness! And I really appreciate you bringing the whole topic to my attention ☺️ 

If you don’t feel comfortable sharing it here, we can do it on a Pen Pal Thread. (It’s actually what I prefer since I’m now looking at my condition through this entirely different lens!)

Thank you @thebendygirl for this topic!!

Part 1

Yes I have a chronic condition

Yes I know people with chronic illness

I'd describe myself as friendly, kind and outgoing

My strength is that I'm able to ask for help

My weak spot is being too reliant on others

I'd say I know a 7 out of 10 about chronic illness

P2:

Chronic illness is a chronic condition that impacts a person's daily life

A tiredness so extreme that it renders you unable to function

Spoon theory is a form of "energy currency" that tracks the energy "cost" of different activities

Conversion Disorder