ARTICLE

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What to Say to Someone Who’s Very Sick

By Hallie Levine — 2018

Expert advice on finding the right words, listening well, and getting specific about offers of help.

Read on www.aarp.org

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Advice on Dire Diagnoses From a Survivor

With each diagnosis, knowing her life hung in the balance, she was “stunned, then anguished” and astonished by “how much energy it takes to get from the bad news to actually starting on the return path to health.”

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What Those with Chronic Pain or Illness DON’T Want to Hear

I've written this piece partly because I hope it will make those of us with health difficulties feel less alone and partly because I hope it will help others understand how to communicate with us better. With that in mind, I hope you'll find it helpful.

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Please Help Out Those with a Disability or a Chronic Illness. You’ll Also Help Yourself.

I’ve been disabled and intensely ill with the degenerative neuro-immuno illness myalgic encephalomyelitis (formerly known by the misnomer “chronic fatigue syndrome”) for 30 years.

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How to Ask for Help

Learn to communicate skillfully with others so you can get the help you need.

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EXPLORE TOPIC

Handling a Loved One’s Illness