~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~
Don't assume that because
I look well, I feel well.
Looks can be deceiving.
Many days I look great
but feel terrible.
~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~
Don't say, "I know how you feel."
No one knows how anyone else feels.
We all have varying thresholds of pain,
and pain cannot be measured
~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~
Don't tell me about your
Aunt Gertrude
and how she managed in spite of it.
I am doing the best I can.
~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~
Don't tell me, "It could be worse."
I don't need to be reminded.
~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~
Don't decide what I am capable of doing.
Allow me to make those decisions.
There may be times I'm wrong,
but I'll know soon enough.
~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~
Don't be upset that you
cannot ease my problems.
It won't do any good for
both of us to be miserable.
~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~
Don't ask me how I feel
unless you really want to know.
You may hear a lot more
than you are prepared to listen to.
~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~
Don't assume that
because I did a certain
thing yesterday
that I can do it today.
~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~
Don't tell me about the latest
fad cure.
If there is a legitimate treatment,
my doctor will let me know.
~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~
Do realize that
I am angry and frustrated
with the disease, not with you.
~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~
Do let me know you are available
to help me when I ask.
~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~
Do offer me lots of encouragement.
~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~
Do understand why I cancel plans
at the last minute.
I never know from one day to the next
how I will feel.
~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~
Do continue to invite me to activities.
Just because I am not able
to ride a bike along with the gang
does not mean I can't meet you
for the picnic at the end of the trail.
~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~
Please Let Me Decide
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