Re: A Letter to Normals from FMS person

[Guest guest]

Donna Berg wrote:

> Hi Ray, Just so you know, I don't stand in judgement on anyone. And, I wish

not to be judged either.

>

Hi Donna

The " Letter to Normals " wasn't written by Ray. (he's about as non

judgmental as a person can get -- in my judgement <big grin>)

The letter can be found with variations, on many sites. The purpose of

the letter is to educate people who think that fms, cfs and other

chronic pain sufferers just need to get a grip and stop being so wimpy.

Australia:

http://makeashorterlink.com/?D24D61308

Canada

http://makeashorterlink.com/?O23D12308

United States:

http://makeashorterlink.com/?N28D21308

--

Lyndi

[Guest guest]

Donna,

I do have fibro, but I didn't write the " letter. " I did send the copy of the

Letter to Normals because I thought it might be interesting for others to read.

It might also provide some thoughts when dealing with those who do not live in

chronic pain daily. I should have attached an explanation. My apologies.

It was sent to me by a friend who participates in a Fibro support group locally

in TN.

Thanks for the response.

Ray Neal, co-moderator of c_p

[Guest guest]

I didn't react negatively the first time I read the Letter to Normals. It has

several versions, i.e., disease options on the internet. It must touch some

painful nerve within us or it wouldn't be so poignant for us.

Call it a letter to those without chronic pain, or without Fibro, or whatever.

The fact that we live with chronic pain daily and have to make big accomodations

to our lives, schedules, activities, etc., does make us different. We can't

deny that.

Life is full of differences between people. Many do not recognize some of the

differences, nor understand them even if they do recognize them. Other people

need to be educated about how our lives are different.

I hung out with friends and watched a two and a half hour movie last night.

When they put the second movie in I was concerned that my painful spasms in

back, feet, hands, and shoulders wouldn't let me enjoy anymore time with them.

When I excused myself to go home they protested my ending a nice evening so

early. I stayed another twenty minutes, but by then I NEEDED my electrical

stimulator to stop the spasms. I left after a brief explanation that was

accepted by one friend, but not understood by the other who is so young he

doesn't yet understand aging bodies and painful chronic conditions.

I'm glad they wanted me to stay, but I had to take care of myself and my chronic

pain condition. It's part of accepting who I am. Explaining it to others

should be comfortable for me while I remain polite to them. When pushed beyond

my point of need I do tend to get nasty. That's not their fault, but mine. Why

burden them with an unpleasant friend?

Ray

[Guest guest]

I didn't react negatively the first time I read the Letter to Normals. It has

several versions, i.e., disease options on the internet. It must touch some

painful nerve within us or it wouldn't be so poignant for us.

Call it a letter to those without chronic pain, or without Fibro, or whatever.

The fact that we live with chronic pain daily and have to make big accomodations

to our lives, schedules, activities, etc., does make us different. We can't

deny that.

Life is full of differences between people. Many do not recognize some of the

differences, nor understand them even if they do recognize them. Other people

need to be educated about how our lives are different.

I hung out with friends and watched a two and a half hour movie last night.

When they put the second movie in I was concerned that my painful spasms in

back, feet, hands, and shoulders wouldn't let me enjoy anymore time with them.

When I excused myself to go home they protested my ending a nice evening so

early. I stayed another twenty minutes, but by then I NEEDED my electrical

stimulator to stop the spasms. I left after a brief explanation that was

accepted by one friend, but not understood by the other who is so young he

doesn't yet understand aging bodies and painful chronic conditions.

I'm glad they wanted me to stay, but I had to take care of myself and my chronic

pain condition. It's part of accepting who I am. Explaining it to others

should be comfortable for me while I remain polite to them. When pushed beyond

my point of need I do tend to get nasty. That's not their fault, but mine. Why

burden them with an unpleasant friend?

Ray

[Guest guest]

I didn't react negatively the first time I read the Letter to Normals. It has

several versions, i.e., disease options on the internet. It must touch some

painful nerve within us or it wouldn't be so poignant for us.

Call it a letter to those without chronic pain, or without Fibro, or whatever.

The fact that we live with chronic pain daily and have to make big accomodations

to our lives, schedules, activities, etc., does make us different. We can't

deny that.

Life is full of differences between people. Many do not recognize some of the

differences, nor understand them even if they do recognize them. Other people

need to be educated about how our lives are different.

I hung out with friends and watched a two and a half hour movie last night.

When they put the second movie in I was concerned that my painful spasms in

back, feet, hands, and shoulders wouldn't let me enjoy anymore time with them.

When I excused myself to go home they protested my ending a nice evening so

early. I stayed another twenty minutes, but by then I NEEDED my electrical

stimulator to stop the spasms. I left after a brief explanation that was

accepted by one friend, but not understood by the other who is so young he

doesn't yet understand aging bodies and painful chronic conditions.

I'm glad they wanted me to stay, but I had to take care of myself and my chronic

pain condition. It's part of accepting who I am. Explaining it to others

should be comfortable for me while I remain polite to them. When pushed beyond

my point of need I do tend to get nasty. That's not their fault, but mine. Why

burden them with an unpleasant friend?

Ray