How the World Cup Brings Community to Chronic Illness Patients

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—because a single trip can cause weeks or months of relapse. They rarely attend games or concerts in large arenas. Honestly, I included the airplane card in the SPIKE storytelling deck as a subtle test: Who would pick it, and what stories would they share? I understood the plane represented a harsh reality for millions: being confined in places like an airport bathroom stall or a crowded row of seats, where even with a mask, they could catch something—norovirus, COVID, the flu. Depending on the severity of their condition, they might be bedridden for weeks or months. This is why, for most of 2025, game testers overlooked the card. Then the World Cup Soccer excitement hit, and even those with chronic illnesses were caught up in the buzz. Suddenly, the airplane didn't just symbolize risk and limitation; it also evoked images of international teams boarding flights, stadium lights, and a world alive with tournament energy.

The nerd in me was fascinated. SPIKE! Players make meaning out of their lives by telling stories. I often ask them to choose cards that represent their past, present, and future in relation to chronic illness. When the World Cup excitement started, players weren’t reaching for cards about the past; they were grabbing the airplane card to anchor themselves in the present—the best place to be. They wanted in on World Cup madness. It didn’t matter if, in reality, they’d be skipping a big watch party or even a small one. Enjoying the game, even from home or in bed, was satisfying a deep craving to connect. The chanting, the banter, the adrenaline of watching a brilliant goal make us feel alive.

The average healthy American has no clue what goes on in the minds of people who have been sick for hundreds, sometimes thousands of days. It’s an unenviable streak and not one you bring up in casual conversation. People often say that pain is like the weather; it's so common, you stop talking about it. So true. If you looked at the "airplane" card and felt sad, I get it. If you looked at the “airplane” card and felt a punch of sadness, I get it. If you saw it and your mind went blank—no trips planned, no energy for security lines or stadium seats—I see you.

Thank you for taking the time to think about the hard truths of chronic illness. To do it in the most fun way I can think of, email me at denise@spikethegame.net to experience the game for free as a beta tester.