In ‘Dear Chronic Illness’, Pippa Stacey has compiled letters from sufferers to the diseases that they suffer with. Each person featured, talks to the various conditions that they suffer with, as if they were a person. A lot of chronic illnesses give invisible symptoms, and I found that’s the letters really kept the balance of being both humorous and sad, with all other emotions in between.
It made me think about how I would address a letter to the illnesses that I have suffered with for such a long time too. When reading letters to M.E., I found myself nodding in agreement a certain anecdotes, and I found that the letters really spoke to me.
Whilst there is a huge amount of despair at the turmoil these diseases have caused, there is a great deal of hope too. Each person who was featured, had done incredible things despite the adversity that they face. There were charity founders, entrepreneurs, campaigners and sufferers who had managed to go to university too. Even though there are huge disadvantages to having a chronic illness, all these letters showed me that these people were not defined by it.
We are shown a certain way to live that reaps success, but all these letters go to challenge the status quo. Instead of the world revolving around materialistic treasures, those suffering with a chronic illness learn to find pleasure in the simple things in life. Some days the Everest climb is getting to the bathroom and back, and other times it is going out somewhere.
I think this book would be a good read for any person, particularly those with chronic health issues. It is nice to not feel alone, because having chronic health problems is isolating. To know that someone else feels frustrated and vulnerable, is so important.
It would also be a good book for carers and families to read too. It gives a level of understanding into the complex feelings, multifaceted worlds that we live in. There are so many different levels of suffering, both physically and mentally that need to be considered. It is ok to have moments when you do not feel alright. It is ok to have moments of trepidation at what the future holds for you, and to feel grief stricken by the lives that have been taken away from us.
Pippa’s own letter is written with such tenacity. Whilst she accepts that her life has followed a different path to what she had expected it would. She is no longer training to be a classical ballet dancer, and through her letter you can tell how painful that is for her. Yet still, she has managed incredible things that wouldn’t have happened if it were not for getting unwell.
There is a great sense of community within the chronic illness world. Despite all being fairly isolated from ‘normal living’, the use of technology has meant that we can connect with so many other sufferers. The bond that this creates is immensely strong. We know what it is like to suffer. Despite not knowing all the girls who have written letters, I feel like I have an understanding because in some cases I have suffered similarly. The letters connect with one another because they all have moments of desperation and despair.
More needs to be done for chronic illnesses to portray them to people who are not disabled or ill. The fact that these letters all contained so much hope, resonated with me. Becoming unwell with M.E. has brought out the greatest parts of my personality, whilst also leading me to suffer extensively. I would recommend these read to anyone who would like a easy read with equal measures of laugh out loud moments and moments of tears. It is a beautiful read and a must have for loved ones who have a chronically ill friend or family member. It will change your perception!
