Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, children of all ages...welcome to the land of Chronic Illness: the wildest ride that no one ever chooses! Do not pass go, do not collect $200. As a matter of fact, get your wallet out and prepare to pay because living the sick life will not come cheap.
If you'll turn to your left, you'll see the Road to Nowhere. This well traveled road is filled with impotent anger, bitter regrets, and mourning for what might have been. Should you choose this direction, you're assured lots of company on your journey through your new life. (Quality not guaranteed.)
To your right, you'll find the Path Less Taken. If your travels lead you in this direction, you'll be treated to embracing everyday as an adventure, finding your new normal, and a blind determination to live your life your way, despite chronic illness. Even though fewer seem to start out on this path, the scenery is amazing and your traveling companions come with a smile
I'm required by law to inform you that neither way guarantees you'll get to your anticipated destination nor that, wherever you end up, you'll get there in a timely manner. Whichever way you choose will be filled with potholes, unforeseen setbacks and both good and bad days.
Each will inevitably feature unscheduled pit stops, dead ends, and wrong turns. But then again, doesn't that pretty much describe every life, chronically ill or not? These unknowns are all just part of what keeps your existence an interesting place to be.
Looking around I see some worry and concern on your faces. Fear not, we've anticipated this response. That's why, for your convenience, we offer full service blinders for your trip! One push of the button and the tunnel vision is engaged, blocking out all but your health issues and freeing you from the frustrations of splitting focus between the business of being sick and the rest of the world around you.
Let's face it, some days we all just need to focus on our wants, our needs - our only concern the pain without any nagging guilt over lack of participation in everyday life. Am I right?
Do you prefer to ignore your health and work on living a 100% normal life (whatever that is) instead? Then our rose colored model is for you! With a pair of these babies you can exist in a state of total denial, playing off every ache and pain as nothing more than part of getting older. After all, what do those Doctors know anyway?
For those of you who are looking for something more in between the two extremes, we've got just the thing. It requires nothing more than opening your eyes and taking a look around. Welcome to reality, folks! In this state, what you see is what you get. However, what you choose to do with it is entirely up to you.
Which brings us back to the where we started.
Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, children of all ages...welcome to the land of Chronic Illness: where you don't choose the ride, it chooses you!
Chronic Illness: The Wildest Ride No One Ever Chooses appeared in its original form on pixie.c.d.