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One of the most important things in life is a person’s health. Recent times have shown how crucial it is to take care of ourselves to prevent our health from deteriorating. But even if people lead a healthy lifestyle and are aware of their habits, there are some diseases that change a person’s life forever and these are chronic diseases.

According to the National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion (NCCDPHP), chronic diseases are “conditions that last 1 year or more and require ongoing medical attention or limit activities of daily living or both.” Such health problems become a real everyday struggle that can be difficult for others to understand. Having this in mind, a couple who call themselves Chronic Illness Advocates started sharing inspiring messages to educate and encourage people to start a more open discussion about chronic illnesses. 

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The Instagram page @how.u.feeling, which has 115k followers, shares pictures of Justin Cypres and Sarah Gausepohl, who pose with a board in their hands stating some powerful words meant for those who struggle with their illnesses and sometimes find it hard to keep moving forward. Some of the things they express are also directed at people who are healthy and don’t necessarily understand what it means to deal with chronic pain. Their thoughts teach these people to be more compassionate and understanding.

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Terilee Bruyere
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is so very true. And the longer you have to hide that grimace the harder it gets.

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Monica Michelle
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Eds and pots exercise or it gets worse for you exercise and dislocate boneand have heart issue. I feel this one

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Bored Panda contacted Chronic Illness Advocates to find out more about their project. The things that they present on social media come from their everyday struggles as both of them suffer from many chronic illnesses. Justin shared that this is what gave him a spur to create something on his own: “I felt that there was a lack of awareness and positive/educational posts in the social media arena. I thought that I couldn’t be the only one feeling how I felt so I decided to start posting messages about how I felt on any given day.”

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Ana.V.
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2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Being chronically ilI I can relate to this and confirm this statement is something very important, as we tend to feel we're being seen as lazy and/or selfish couch potatos

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This idea and their work soon went viral, proving that people who have to deal with health problems are not alone. Justin told Bored Panda: “ At first I was surprised at how some posts went 'viral' but then, the more I saw it happen, the more I realized how many people suffer.” Justin himself has to deal with a whole bunch of illnesses such as fibromyalgia, ulcerative colitis, migraines, depression, etc.

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Terilee Bruyere
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is so very true. I remember not really getting what my dad was meaning when he said he felt like he was walking on cords (I thought maybe he felt like his sock was bunched up, he had renal failure and diabetic neuropathy). I finally understand :(

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Joanna Werman
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Thank you. I think that's a big thing that my friends don't get. The few friends that I still have.

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Coping with these struggles takes a lot of energy and makes people feel like they are all alone in this battle. When such dark days come, Justin says that the right thing to do is to understand that “you are not alone, what you feel is valid, and there are many different social media accounts that can help you find a community that is super supportive of your struggles.” And their project also seems to be having a huge impact on how people see and hear each other, becoming more understanding and sympathetic.

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Lucas
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It is surprising how much pain and discomfort you can get 'used to' and how easy it is to hide. I don't want it to be the first thing people know about me. I don't mind sharing but only if I think the person is going to actually listen, and not lecture me on what worked for their old mum who had a completely different problem. I'm not old, I'm ill and I'm also living with injuries from an accident. It isn't the same.

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Kay blue
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I have to constantly remind someone in my life of this. Because I don't work she thinks it's ok to constantly pester me to do stuff for her. I just can't do it all.

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NsG
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Getting stuff done also includes recovering. It needs to go on the to do list.

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Nicola Doyle
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

So true! Didn't expect to be on disability and deciding day to day what I can do at my age. Trying not to do too much on days I feel better. Some days all I can do is rest all day.

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NsG
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Oooh, that's right up there with "everything happens for a reason". Yes , it could be worse, it could also be better. And what good does it do anybody saying that either? This is the bronze medal of the Misery Olympics.

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NsG
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My best friend has spina bifida and she expressed this to me. She then added that since I'm not a licensed medical professional and am unable to provide relief, she would accept a brew, and for me to watch her kids for a couple of hours while she slept. We can't give relief, sometimes the only thing we can offer is support if you want it (and not push it if you don't ask).

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RandomBeing
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I may not be able to understand. But I can understand that it is real and legitimate.

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Donna Rakowiecki
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The worst was when I had to miss my best friends funeral because I was too sick to get out of bed it was simply heartbreaking and everyone said it was OK put me it wasn't I miss her so much

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mcborge1
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm not just home all day being ill, i'm also a full time carer so even at home I can't just rest up when i'm feeling unwell, I have to keep going until bedtime.

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Amanda Reicha
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I think how nice it would be to be able to work and then I remember how difficult working would be: 1) frequently calling in on bad days, 2) scaring people when I have a seizure, 3) the chance of being fired because I had a seizure, which surprisingly happens often but u see a different reason for being fired.

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Lyone Fein
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I empathize. I am always looking up job openings, and thinking about applying........but just getting out of bed and getting started on my day is so exhausting most days, I realize that these day dreams of going back to work are impossible.

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Susi Moffitt
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I truly wish people could feel compassion to those with chronic illness and pain, because I'm a sufferer, too. I never in my life thought I could be so tired and hurting.

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littlesaresare
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2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Healthy people act like you're lucky for "not having to" work. No. I would give anything to *be able to* work. To have financial independence. To have freedom. To wake up and be able to actually breathe. To stand in my kitchen and cook dinner in one stretch, without a break every five minutes. To have an actual life. But people act like you're chilling about by a pool drinking mojitos all day. Staying home from chronic illness is not a luxury, it is a cage.

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Amanda Reicha
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My seizures and anxiety/panic attacks make my sleep schedule rotate. No matter what any doctor has tried, it's impossible for me to stay on a regular schedule. If I try, my fatigue triggers more seizures and anxiety/panic attacks. It's one big loop.

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Terilee Bruyere
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Even doctors have a hard time with this. I ended up talking to a psychiatrist before I was taken seriously.

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