Chronic Illness Awareness

This was written by a fellow creator (@sarahfergusonxxx) address a factor that impacts many of us in this industry. I’ve tailored it to fit my own chronic illnesses

Chronic Illness comes in many forms and is often not visible or obvious to other people.

I was diagnosed this year, and though I’ve suffered with this my whole life my health has declined recently and my life changed completely. I went from an energetic, physically capable person who occasionally couldn’t function, to needing help most days with the simplest of tasks.

I am posting specifically on this platform to raise awareness that many (and I mean many) of the creators on here are disabled and / or suffer from a Chronic Illness; and/or have a dependent that they care for with a Chronic Illness.

The reason so many of us join a site like this is simple - survival.

With unpredictable conditions like mine, it’s near impossible to have a ‘normal job’

Imagine the scenario of having a
9-5 / Mon - Fri occupation and having to call in to say:

“Hey, I can’t make it in today and I also can’t tell you when I will be back. Could be a day or a week. Also, once I come back, there is a high chance I will be off again within days”

Or being at work and having to consistently apologize because you’ve had a violent tic attack or have been shouting inappropriately and randomly.

So many creators will inevitably end up in this line of work because we can be our own boss, set our own working hours and hopefully earn enough to put food on the table.

As for me, I absolutely love what I do. While it may not be the career I thought I would have, it genuinely does make me happy. However, it is a job that allows me to be financially independent and that I can do on my own time.

Yes, I work on average 16 hours a day, 7 days a week but I can do it in the comfort of my home and if I absolutely need to, take an hour or a day off without notice or impacting others. I can more easily have a plan ahead to keep my work running even when I’m down.

Some symptoms of Chronic Illnesses include:

⁃ pain

• tachycardia
  ⁃ debilitating fatigue
  ⁃ limited movement
  ⁃ cognitive and neurological issues
  ⁃ focus and concentration issues
  ⁃ fainting or near fainting when standing
  ⁃ sensitivity to noise and light
• shortness of breath
• mood swings
  ⁃ memory loss
  ⁃ mania
• vocal and motor tics
• cluster headaches
• honestly there’s more but there’s only so much a list can do.

I post this with the intention of educating people. I post this in the hopes that people will gain a better understanding of what life is like for someone like me.

We don’t want pity. We don’t want charity.

What we do want is understanding, patience and respect.

I encourage you to tip a creator who you enjoy. Unlock a video, contribute to a campaign, purchase a custom from someone who provides you with entertainment on a daily basis.

Because at the end of the day, that money you send, could be reason a creator eats that day. It could be the determining factor of whether or not they can buy their medication. You could help keep a roof over their heads.

Thank you for taking the time to read this, thank you for your continued support and understanding.