Pay attention to the ableism being thrown around with respect to Christina Applegate finding out she doesn’t have MS.
People acting like it’s a relief or a blessing.
Like she’s “better off now”.
She’s still sick.
She’s just sick without answers.
I guarantee it’s not a “relief” for her.
Seeing so many people talk about how “lucky” she is shows two things:
1) People are inherently ableist and can’t accept that disabled people aren’t “less than” just because they’re sick.
2) Having a misdiagnosis doesn’t make you well. It means you’re starting over from scratch.
In many ways having a firm diagnosis is better because it offers closure.
It provides validation.
It may open the door to treatment options.
It helps people “believe” that you’re sick.
When doctors say they “don’t know” what’s wrong… many folks will psychologize you.
They will decide it’s all in your head and you were never really “that sick” to begin with.
Listen to the patient, not the diagnosis.
Christina has said she’s getting worse.
It’s devastating to have to start over because your medical team got it wrong.
She deserves better. We all do.
#chronicillness #disability #ableism #christinaapplegate #ms
