I don’t want to insert myself where I’m not welcome or take over space, but can I count myself as being part of the chronically ill community despite being *injured* and not ill? I was in an accident as a teenager that damaged my leg (cartilage missing out of my knee and the joint is full of fluid) and left me with mobility issues and chronic pain, and I relate to a lot of things I see in the chronically ill community (you don’t *look* hurt, why do you need a cane in college,etc)
This is actually something I get asked a lot, usually by people who don’t yet realize that yes, the back pain they’ve had since their teens is a chronic condition (and just because a condition can go into remission for a while doesn’t mean it isn’t there anymore), and yes, they belong in the spoonie community if they want to. Even those of us just passing through on the road to recovery are welcome here, at least by my book.
Chronic pain is chronic pain, regardless of whether it was caused by illness or injury. There’s a great deal of overlap between the disabled community and the chronic illness community, and we should be inclusive and supportive of each other. There’s too many people needing help and looking for people who understand what they’re going through to turn round and say “you’re not sick enough to sit with is” because where and how do you set that line? Asthma is a chronic illness, and hardly ever gets the recognition of one. Simply because something is common does not negate the seriousness of it.
So, in short, yes. It’s okay. And I hope you’re having a day with less pain. Sometimes that’s all we can ask for.