The letter below was written by Richard Cohen from the National Health Council. It’s poignant, simple and well written. I love it. And I have to admit, that being the single parent of a child with a chronic illness has felt quite similar to me. It’s both brought me closer to my friends and family, and made me feel lonelier and more isolated than I ever thought possible.
With love,
Nora
(click here to see the letter’s original posting on WebMd)
To all who read and care:
Many, even most, who have opened up and told their stories here project an unstated sense of loneliness. You do not share easily. For some, talking about your chronic problems is a new experience. Let me tell you, as one who has endured chronic conditions for well over half my life, aloneness is with me every step of the way. I have a loving wife and children, an emotional infrastructure that surrounds and comforts. Still, I feel I am alone. I just am.
Illness is a solitary battle. We die alone and so, too, suffer on our own. Nobody knows the experience or how we feel. How could they? Most of us do not want to inflict our pain on others. And so the hurt is buried deep within. We protect families and friends from tough realities. Is all of this good? Probably not. And so we seek out others traveling the same lonely highway. We long to touch and be touched.
We are not alone. Many of draw strength and support from others with the same conditions. We need each other and are there for others, day and night. Those who share the horror do not even need to be told. We just know. We do not have to be alone. Support is there for the asking. Reaching out to those who have been there allows us to accept love from those who have not.
My best,
RMC
