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This Instagram Account Spreads Awareness About What People With Chronic Illnesses Go Through Every Day And Here Are 40 Of The Best Photos Interview
87Kviews
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.
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.”
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.
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.
Note: this post originally had 48 images. It’s been shortened to the top 40 images based on user votes.
People with chronic illness don't pretend to be sick, they pretend to be healthy.
Thank you!
I get judging looks when I walk to the door of the store, but then opt for a scooter to shop. Walking for any length of time and my back starts hurting. Do it long enough and I won't be able to walk the next day. People can't see the fractured vertebrae in my lower back that never healed properly. They have no idea what pain it causes. They need to keep their judgmental looks to themselves.
Dear doctors: Yes, I have chronic pain, but that doesn't mean every pain I have is related to this. Don't have me put at risk or in danger because you assume it's just my fibromyalgia. Ok thanks bye.
Exactly. Also stop thinking that everything is caused by our depression/anxiety. I am depressed because I dont have a life anymore and I am ill not the other way around
You're so right! I would also like to add that we know our bodies! We are so used to being in pain all the time, that we only go to see a doctor if it is out of the ordinary to us.
I have (what I joke of as) a collection of chronic pain disorders. I've learned to distinguish the different types of pain so I know which one is flaring. I still nearly discounted a heart attack as "muscle spasms." Lucky for me, there were other symptoms that quickly made things clear.
I'm so glad I haven't had experiences like this with doctors. Honestly sounds just so horrible.
Also - just because I am young and look healthy does not mean the pain is all in my head, it is actually caused by depression or abuse, or that it will go away soon.
People with chronic illness don't pretend to be sick, they pretend to be healthy.
Thank you!
I get judging looks when I walk to the door of the store, but then opt for a scooter to shop. Walking for any length of time and my back starts hurting. Do it long enough and I won't be able to walk the next day. People can't see the fractured vertebrae in my lower back that never healed properly. They have no idea what pain it causes. They need to keep their judgmental looks to themselves.
Dear doctors: Yes, I have chronic pain, but that doesn't mean every pain I have is related to this. Don't have me put at risk or in danger because you assume it's just my fibromyalgia. Ok thanks bye.
Exactly. Also stop thinking that everything is caused by our depression/anxiety. I am depressed because I dont have a life anymore and I am ill not the other way around
You're so right! I would also like to add that we know our bodies! We are so used to being in pain all the time, that we only go to see a doctor if it is out of the ordinary to us.
I have (what I joke of as) a collection of chronic pain disorders. I've learned to distinguish the different types of pain so I know which one is flaring. I still nearly discounted a heart attack as "muscle spasms." Lucky for me, there were other symptoms that quickly made things clear.
I'm so glad I haven't had experiences like this with doctors. Honestly sounds just so horrible.
Also - just because I am young and look healthy does not mean the pain is all in my head, it is actually caused by depression or abuse, or that it will go away soon.