I’ve often told the story of the health care provider who asked me how long I had suffered from diabetes. I told her (at the time – this was about 22 years ago), “I’ve had diabetes for 20 years, but I don’t suffer.”
I’ve read other people’s posts about not liking the word, “suffer,” and I’m glad I’m not the only one. I’ve also acknowledged that when someone is raising funds for diabetes (or another cause) they may have to play the “suffer” card. I get that.
I prefer to use “have” or “experience” rather than suffer – for myself and for others. For me because I truly don’t suffer. Yes, there are parts of diabetes that are challenging and/or annoying/frustrating. Overall, though, I don’t suffer because of diabetes.
And I never, ever, assume that someone else is suffering. I don’t make that assumption because I don’t want to displace hope. For me, hope is far superior to suffering. So I give everyone the benefit of the doubt (and some hope). If someone is suffering, I let them identify that, and I honor their experience. I know that many people with diabetes do suffer. I just don’t feel it’s my place to make that call.