Why being healthy is a privilege?

It’s December, and it’s a time I like to personally reflect on things I’m grateful for and stuff I could just frankly be more sensitive to.? We all see these posts and like them - you know the meme - “everyone is fighting a battle you know nothing about.” It’s true, they are and so you are you. So kindness, empathy and understanding go a long way. So, now I’m reflecting on what a privilege it is to be healthy with a chronic illness. It seems counterintuitive that you can have both, but I promise, a lot of chronic conditions can be managed and allow you to live a pretty regular life.?

One of the many things I’m not great at is taking time out to exercise. There is always one more thing I can accomplish, one more load of laundry, one more thing my kids need, one more article I can review, one more presentation to give. Recently, I changed up my workout routine and recommitted to the HIIT workout. I’ll admit I don’t like it, I’m a hot yoga fan through and through - I worship at the church of hot yoga and anyone who has had that moment of bliss in a hot yoga room, you know exactly what I’m talking about. However, since spending 90 minutes in a hot room (or my hot yoga dome - yes that’s a thing, a beautiful and wonderful thing) isn’t feasible right now, I needed HIIT. Also, I can afford a gym membership - something I’ve not always been able to do and something a lot of people can’t do.

I’m also privileged to be a diabetes educator - to have the knowledge I need to manage my diet and exercise to complement my therapies to keep me in great health. I have a great support system of family, friends and clinicians that assist me when I need help. I use the latest and greatest in diabetes technology and I go to ALL my appointments. When you have multiple doctors you need to see to get all your important stuff screened, going to the doctor can be a part time job - or at the very least an inconvenient hobby. But I am privileged because my job allows me time to go to these appointments and health insurance to help cover the costs.?

When I overhear people talking about persons with diabetes (we don’t say diabetic - see here). I’m often floored by the indication that there is a laziness or an assumption that the person doesn’t care about their health. Now, for anyone who has ever even had that thought, I’m going to need you to reflect for a moment. Take your time… Now repeat after me, “health is a privilege.”

People are encountering different struggles at different times with different resources and different histories. Maybe working 3 jobs and taking care of a family is too much to add prepping healthy meals? Maybe feeding a hungry family with affordable calories is easier than asking them to eat fresh veggies (same cost) and be full. Maybe taking care of an elderly parent? or a young child's health has taken precedence recently (been there, done that). There are a thousand reasons why someone may not be able to do all the things to stay in optimal health. Mostly, it’s because it’s a luxury to have time to exercise, meal prep (or purchase healthy meals), have time to get sufficient rest, add a stop off at the gym and do everything on someone’s list.? For many it’s a dream to only work one job, to have healthcare, childcare and the time and finances to prepare meals. So in the spirit of giving everyone a bit more empathy and kindness, consider what you might be expecting of others or yourself - for that matter. Is it fair? Is it a realistic goal given the current environment? Can you afford to do it (time, money, logistics). Whatever we think we know or understand about others, we just need to realize we know nothing that gives us the authority to blame, hate or throw shade at others.

So this holiday season (there are many holidays between Dec 1 - 31) can we agree that health is a luxury that more people should be able to have? If this means you donate to a food bank, you watch a friend's child while they workout, or you just stop destructive thinking about people with diabetes being lazy, any of that will help. If you’ve read this far, thank you and I wish the privilege? of health to you and your loved ones always.?

In a final sidenote, healthcare is a right that I will fight fiercely for. Being healthy should also be a right, but we’re not set up that way right now. What can you do to improve that for yourself or one other person?