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Explaining your chronic illness to family

Explaining your chronic illness to family can be a good or challenging experience. Some will understand what you’re going through, and some will not.

Chenelle Covin Wins Women of Color STEM Award in Technical Innovation

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Explaining Lupus To Family

Explaining your chronic illness to family can be a good or challenging experience. There will be some who will totally understand what you’re going through, and unfortunately some who will not.

Yesterday,  I had some family over visiting. After spending some time in the house, we decided to go outside and let my cousin and nephew play. I wasn’t feeling too well but I didn’t want it to stop me from spending some time with family.

After about 20 minutes outside, I started to feel tired. I had called my brother, who was inside, to switch places with me to watch the kids. A family member said to me, “just sit on the step”. I told them I really didn’t want to. The sun was becoming too much on my body and I really needed to come inside. They proceeded to say to me, “oh, so you can’t be outside”. And I kindly let them know that I am sensitive to the sun and if I stay outside any longer, the way I feel now will increase. They were not mean but I definitely felt their intense curiosity.

When explaining my autoimmune disease to family and friends, it is always a touchy situation. I know they mean well, but I don’t know how they will respond. We are all in our 20s and 30s, but I can not do all the lively stuff that they can do.

I am always willing to educate them on my illness and experience. For instance, yesterday I was explaining to them my gastro issues. One my family member’s thought my mixed connective tissue disease was in remission because I now have a new medical issue. I kindly explained to them that my autoimmune disease can be a precursor to developing other illnesses. The illness attacks your organs. So any complications I have, for instance, my gastro problems, could be a direct result of the mixed connective tissue disease.

I let them know that mixed connective tissue disease is a chronic disease, symptoms generally come and go, and it is unpredictable. You can ask me to go out with you early in the day and by the time night comes, I could be tired. For this reason, I know many will not understand. Sometimes, not even family. Thankfully, I have supportive people around me, especially my father who helps me explain to others some of the symptoms I may be feeling.

I never want to be burden or divulge too much information as if I’m complaining. Sometimes, I simply want others to understand I suffer from a chronic illness. Some days will be good, some days will be bad, but the main thing for me is that I’m still living.

 


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Chenelle Covin is an award-winning social entrepreneur, journalist, and digital media strategist. She is the Editor-in-Chief of Unheard Voices Magazine, a platform dedicated to amplifying underrepresented voices in media, culture, and social justice. Covin holds a B.S. in Business and an M.A. in Digital Communications from Monmouth University. She has also obtained a computer science certification from Harvard University and is preparing for Ph.D. studies. Her career spans media, technology, and advocacy, with expertise in branding, digital storytelling, and public relations. She has received multiple honors, including the Women of Color STEM Award in Technical Innovation, the NAACP Unsung Hero Award, and the CV Magazine Media Innovator Award for Social Justice. Covin’s work includes developing automation tools, producing documentaries, and leading mentorship programs in media and computer science. She continues to drive innovation and representation in digital media and STEM fields.

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