Kate, serious illness, demands…

I’ll never be Queen of England, but I might understand a little of what Kate is going through. I have people I don’t know demanding things of me, too.

I have been unwell for 4+ months, now. I have been quite open about it but haven’t announced a diagnosis – as is my right. As it happens, I am still working with medical professionals to puzzle a diagnosis out.

Australian journalist Julia Baird has written a thoughtful article about Kate, serious illness, the trauma it can bring, and the baying of the media. I’ll quote some of her wisdom here:
“You might also hope we’d pause… and think, for a moment, about what it might be like to be confronting your mortality as a baying mob rifles through your medical records, presses their faces up against your window and pounds on your front door, screaming, demanding you reveal yourself now.”

Thankfully, I haven’t had pressure from people to reveal my diagnosis (though some assume they know). I have had people who I’ve never met demanding things (or implying demands) from me, despite the fact that I am often able to get very little work done.

“I really want you to write a book on…”
“I want this book in French/Spanish/Norwegian/Portuguese!”
“I can’t get your left-handed book anywhere. When will you reprint it?”
“I ordered a week ago, but received no notification of my order being sent.”
“When will you have online classes?”

All these demands come from some level of not understanding my circumstances, and each time, I have to explain myself.

“I’m not well enough to work at the moment, let alone write another book.”
“I’d love that too, but…” [Answer is too long – please read my FAQ.]
“I need to revise the left-handed book but I am not well enough to do so.”
“I sent your order on the day I received it but I haven’t been well enough to also email about it.”
“I’m not well enough to be teaching. I’ve been unwell since November.”

As the world realises “Oops, Kate really is sick!”, I hope people will be more compassionate towards and understanding of those experiencing serious or chronic illness. Thankfully, many people are very understanding and add no pressure at all. If you’re one of those, thank you.