1. It is always said “You’re too young to feel the pain!” But for chronic diseases it does not matter your age, race, sex or place of residence. All children, adolescents, young people, adults, the elderly are at risk of developing a chronic disease.

2. “Our illness is invisible to the naked eye, but if it were possible to see the body inside out, you would see what we face every day. Most people with chronic diseases look great, so that 97% of chronic diseases are invisible (these diseases often are called – invisible illnesses)

3. We do not cancel plans to life. Believe me! We do everything to be “normal” and just have fun with friends, but sometimes we can not even get out of bed! Please understand that one day we can go to the theatre, and the next  day we will lie in the hospital bed.

4. Lying in bed all day – it’s not a luxury but rather the punishment! Of course the Internet can entertain, but it will never replace live communication. Many of us would prefer to work or be with friends  rather than spend time in bed.

5. “It’s all in your head!” Everyone diseased with a chronic disease heard such statements. But this problem is not psychological, it is a very real and provokes serious physical effects in the body. Psychological illness does not cause hair loss, heart defects, reduced lung function, paralysis or gastrointestinal disorders.

6. Do not feel sorry for us. We can do almost averythung that you can do. We just have some more problems on the way. It takes more time, but the result will be the same. Unfortunately you do not know how many wonderful things we can. Don`t be adjusted to “he or she will not be able” and look at the fact that there is a wonderful person in front of you. We do not need feelings of pity from random strangers, and do not want pity from friends and family.

7. You do not know how to ask about our disease, in order not to bring pain? But we will be more than happy to explain you our health condition. The information in the Internet may not be entirely accurate to explain the diagnosis  we have in the proper way. Never assume that you know everything, when, most likely you know nothing! Therefore, please do not come to us saying that you have found a miracle cure, because in fact there are not!

8. The main thing, we are not lazy. Many of those with chronic illness having coped with constant fatigue, try to do something! Imagine, they are keeping the fight against their own body and are still working. Can you imagine how much energy it takes? We try not to fall behind at work or school, we do not stay in bed to sleep all the time but you do not know how difficult it is.

9. “You can more!” I’ve heard it too many times. Exercises really play an important role, but believe me, we are trying to do as much as we can! The disease, unfortunately, limits the amount of energy and strength. Not everyone understands that in some diseases exercises are contraindicated and only a doctor can say what will be useful for a particular person.

10. “If you were more positive, then you would feel better” – and even this we heard. But you know, every day we wake up and try to smile and act as if nothing bad happened. People with chronic diseases are the bravest and the happiest that I’ve ever met! They love life, the way it is, because they know that life is short, and they will not get a second chance! It’s hard to be positive every day, when you can not go straight without feeling pain. Everyone has the right for a nervous breakdown because you are alive!