Thanksgiving is about giving thanks for the good things in your life. You can give thanks for friends, family, a good job, good health…wait! Good health? Raise your hands if you go through an entire week without complications from your respective conditions. No hands? I thought so. Although living with a chronic illness seems like the worst thing, there is a hidden agenda about having a chronic condition. In honor of Thanksgiving, it is my job to give everyone ten good reasons to be thankful for a chronic condition. Even if you can’t eat your aunt’s cranberries (we all LOVE cranberries, right?), there is still much to smile about when your uncle asks, “so, how is your health these days?”

It makes you stronger—Physically, having a chronic illness allow your body to learn its limit more accurately than other people. Emotionally, no battle is quite like the battle for good health. You are stronger emotionally than the one that stays home with a sore throat.
It creates an opportunity to raise awareness—Let’s try again: raise your hand if every person you know is familiar with your condition. Nope, didn’t think so.
It is a good conversation piece—If nothing else, having a condition gives the family something to talk about. I don’t know about the rest of you, but I’m tired of seeing concerned faces. Make it fun!
It gets you special privileges—I would be lying if I said I never used my condition to get out of getting into trouble. Late to work? “I was feeling sick this morning.” Speeding? “I really had to go, Officer.” (I would like to add that you should not take advantage of your condition, but we do deserve some breaks. 🙂
It is an opportunity to meet empathetic people—I get so excited when I meet someone else with Ulcerative Colitis! Talk it up with fellow condition-holders!
It creates opportunities for fundraising—I don’t know how many read my piece on my half marathon, but that was the best weekend of my life. Own your condition, like our very own Christine has done, and walk the walk!
It makes you thankful (how ironic)—A friend of mine recently finished chemo at the age of 24. After seeing him in the hospital, I realized that much of my struggle is nothing compared to what others go through. My heart goes out to everyone on this website!
It makes you appreciate the little things in life—It sounds corny, but it is true. Never have I appreciated eating, sleeping, and walking as much as I do since I have been in remission.
It allows you to be your own motivator—Everyone has friends and family to support them in their darkest hour. However, it is YOU who has the power to get up and take a stand against your condition.
It forces you to love your body—the hardest thing to do is love your body when it seems to hate you. However, the sooner you are able to love your body, the sooner the condition stops running your life. You own it; it does not own you.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Article written by Caitlyn Pilkington, © 2008 butyoudontlooksick.com
_______________________
*If you liked this essay, you might also like another thanksgiving essay called: “The Blessings of Chronic Illness”.
-Or-
“A Time to Give Thanks”