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Transcription:

Secrets of People Who Can’t Work Because of an Illness

“I’d rather be at work because being at work means I’m healthy again.”

“Logically I know that one good day doesn’t mean I have to ability to hold a job, but mentally I feel like I haven’t ‘earned’ the right to do the fun stuff.”

“It’s not ‘fun’ and I don’t have ‘a multitude of free time.’”

“Contrary to what some may think, surviving being in that much pain was indeed a whole lot of work – even if the reward was not monetary.

Disability is a full-time job. I’m a professional patient.

“I would love to hold down a regular job. I would like to get to the end and feel like I accomplished something rather than live day to day.”

“No one realizes that a job does more for you than just pay your bills. It is part of what gives you self-esteem.

“I’m bored out of my absolute mind. I hate doing nothing but my body is rarely up for much else.”

“The isolation from limited human interaction is heartbreaking. I feel like an expert level clinger when my husband comes home from work or I finally see a friend.

“No amount of positive thinking or appearing to do better will make me functional in a way that it is beneficial to those paying me.

 

Originally published: June 6, 2017
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