Listening to Patients

Most people with an invisible chronic illness don't ask the manager for accommodations—with a few exceptions. Find out what those are and get free resources, too.

For months, the SPIKE! paper airplane card (left) was among the least-selected cards in the SPIKE! storytelling deck designed for patients with chronic illness to share their life experiences. Then, almost suddenly, it became a favorite. But I wasn't sure why. For those who aren’t chronically ill, here's why I was puzzled. Even though this summer marks the World Cup season, individuals with ME/CFS, Long COVID, and other chronic conditions often avoid travel—especially flying—

can't predict how my symptoms will change and how they will make my body feel. On a stellar day, I may work for six hours, but on a high-flame day, my joints ache, I get a migraine or allergies kick in and I have limited energy. I need help, doc, while I wait weeks to see a specialist.