avatarScott Ninneman

Summary

The web content is a poignant reflection on the challenges of living with a chronic illness, using the metaphor of climbing a mountain to describe the struggle of accomplishing seemingly simple tasks.

Abstract

The website presents a personal and evocative poem titled "Mountain," which likens the experience of tackling daily tasks with a chronic illness to the daunting task of scaling a mountain. The poem conveys the emotional and physical burden of living with chronic illness, including the feelings of isolation and the societal pressure to appear normal. It acknowledges the immense effort required for routine activities, such as taking a shower, and emphasizes the importance of small victories in the face of ongoing battles with illness. Accompanying the poem are insights into the unpredictable nature of chronic illness, the mental and physical hurdles it presents, and the resilience needed to navigate both good and bad days. The author also invites readers to sign up for a newsletter and provides a link to a submission guide for new writers on the topic of bipolar disorder.

Opinions

  • The author suggests that society often fails to recognize the Herculean effort that individuals with chronic illnesses must exert to perform basic tasks.
  • The poem expresses a deep sense of frustration and fatigue, as well as a yearning to overcome the invisible barriers imposed by chronic illness.
  • The metaphor of the mountain symbolizes the ever-present and overwhelming nature of chronic illness, which can seem insurmountable.
  • The author emphasizes the importance of acknowledging and celebrating small achievements, such as taking a shower, as significant victories for those with chronic illnesses.
  • There is an underlying message of hope and perseverance, encouraging individuals to keep fighting and to find strength in their daily struggles.
  • The inclusion of a call to action for signing up for a newsletter and the invitation for new writers to contribute suggests a community-oriented approach to discussing and destigmatizing chronic illness, specifically bipolar disorder.

Poetry

Mountain

A poem about tackling simple tasks with a chronic illness.

Image by Klaus Dieter vom Wangenheim from Pixabay

Mountain before me Slopes beg to be climbed Just take a few steps Crawl out of your mind

White capped and daunting The peak feels too far Trudging in darkness Reaching for a star

Old burdens weigh down Depression and fret Boots sticking to earth Demanding their debt

Peering up in awe The crest can’t be reached How others conquered Those secrets unbreached

Move one step forward Its height grows in size Shooting up skyward Astonishing eyes

Climbing is vital Society claims Norms must be followed Protecting good names

But others don’t know Those not in the fight How high is the peak How dark is the night

They see no mountain No hurdle to clear Doing it daily With no pain or fear

So I must prevail Conquer this tower Gather all my strength Go take that shower

  • December 21, 2019

Living with a chronic illness is like living on another planet. Simple acts that most people take for granted become insurmountable tasks. Neglecting bathing and cooking is often necessary. Fatigue can be so severe that even sitting up in bed is impossible.

When physical strength doesn’t fail you, your mind often does. Brain fog and voices mask what you know. It’s common to struggle to do everyday tasks such as tying your shoes or unlocking a door.

The worst days pass in time. There will be days when you can appear to be a functioning member of society. There might even be times you can keep up with everyone else.

No matter the day, whether it is good or bad, the first mountain is the same. Climb in that shower.

If nothing else, that act can be your win for today.

Until next time, keep fighting.

Sign up for my FREE Sunday All Things Bipolar Newsletter (off-site link) and I’ll send you a few downloadable gifts to improve your life.

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Poem
Chronic Illness
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