Millions of Americans live with a disease with no cure. Diabetes. Parkinsons. MS. Dementia. I imagine many of them experience nice people offering encouraging comments, such as, “I believe they’ll find a cure” or “A cure is just around the corner!” What could be wrong with that?
If such a comment makes you feel energized and hopeful, the comment is spot on.
Then again, the same comment might sting if you’ve been waiting expectantly at that corner for years. Talk of cure—short for “relief from the stress, grind, and losses of illness”—reminds you of the burden you’re bearing now, which may stir sadness. Others’ focus on an elusive cure with no mention of the practical issues you deal with everyday may stir loneliness.
In the pursuit of Healthy Survivorship, take care of you. In social situations, respond whatever way helps you. It might help to have a ready answer to someone’s “hope around the corner.” This way, you have the option of responding automatically without thinking or feeling.
Importantly, it may help to see the person’s caring and wishing and hoping behind the comment. Caring about you. Wishing you did not have to deal with illness. And hoping for a cure to happen as soon as possible.
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