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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 7/1/2010 7:33 PM (GMT 0)
When I joined this forum the first thing that happened is I became psychologically well. Knowing that there are others, who are battling the same issues, gave me comfort. Reading the comments and input of others with this disease, I came to realize that UC is not something that I caused, but rather a condition that happened to me. However, now I am now reading something that makes me see red. Some members refer to people without UC as a “normal person” or “normal people,” which implies that someone with UC is not normal. Isn’t our self-esteem low enough?
 
So I just need to state the obvious:
 
PEOPLE WITH UC ARE NORMAL PEOPLE WHO ARE BATTLING A TERRIBLE DISEASE!
 
Personally, I know many abnormal people and as far as I can tell none have UC. I suggest that from now on, when necessary, we describe someone without UC as the Average Pooper or some other term that does not put ourselves down.
 
Thank you for giving me a forum to vent… sometimes I need it.
Posted 7/1/2010 7:57 PM (GMT 0)
I am probably guilty of referring to non-UC people as normal but I don't think of myself as abnormal.
I mean there has to be something that is "normal" doesn't there? That's what my goal is, to get back to normal digestive and bowel functions.

I try very hard to be sensitive to other people's conditions even when they are invisible, which UC is to most people.
But I spent a long time in denial of how bad my condition was and that prevented me from bearing down and looking for more help.

I have to say I don't think I'm "normal". In many ways I think I'm superior (intelligence, etc) but no, not normal.
Posted 7/1/2010 8:31 PM (GMT 0)
imagardner2

I object to the use of normal when refering to people. You have an abnormal condition, but you are a normal person. I am normal hight and weight. That does not make me normal and someone who is short or tall or heavy or skinny not normal.

I guess I am being senisitive but like I said, sometime I need to vent. It makes my gut feel better.
Posted 7/1/2010 10:01 PM (GMT 0)
I don't know about this one... pooping your pants is not a normal thing to do, no matter what you want to call it. Sure, we're all "normal" in that we're all human beings, but we have an abnormal *something* in our colons, whether one feel sit's an immune system thing, a food allergy, hypersensitivity, etc. It's an abnormal reaction, to ulcerate. No denying it. You have to agree, there's a reason why doctors & insurance companies term some people as "normal height & weight", "normal life expectancy", etc. But feel free to vent!

Posted 7/1/2010 10:17 PM (GMT 0)
Nobody is normal
Posted 7/2/2010 12:09 AM (GMT 0)
Members of Alcoholics Anonymous (one of my other disease) often refer to non-alcoholics as “normies” or “normal people” usually with a certain amount of derision. After all, normies don’t have an extensive and loving support group to fall back on during the hard times, or a program for living that makes life eminently satisfying. I have been a recovered alcoholic for very much longer than I have been a person afflicted with UC. And until finding this online support group, I’ve never found anything approaching the fellowship I find in AA. Are we normal? Unequivativly NO, and more’s the pity for the normies!
Posted 7/2/2010 1:54 AM (GMT 0)
Well I have to disagree NABO...I used to be "normal" (whatever that really means) before I got sick with IBD...IBD has greatly affected me mentally and emotionally, for many reasons as pointed out above....pooping your pants as an adult, is not "normal" nor is it considered acceptable behaviour, BUT, we don't do it on purpose, we cannot help ourselves because it's the disease that controls that, not us...so no, I no longer consider myself normal when it comes to this disease...in other aspects of my life, yes, I am "normal"...you are being over-sensitive, but that's okay, cuz it's just another emotional havoc that having IBD does to you...wait till you've had it for 19 yrs straight with no full remission what so ever, then we'll see how normal you will consider yourself.

Bottom line though, when people here use the term "normal" they mean healthy...they aren't trying to offend anyone when they use the word "normal", try not to let the little things eat you up, your IBD will do a very good job of that to you....and I speak from 19 yrs of experiance.
Posted 7/2/2010 2:34 AM (GMT 0)
We just mean abnormal health-wise.
However, that said, I don't think I'm completely normal, if that exists, and I like me just fine =p
Posted 7/2/2010 3:01 AM (GMT 0)
What does "normal" really mean, anyway? What are the standards of being "normal"? These are things I don't understand. I am one of the first to admit that I'm "weird", and I'm actually proud of that fact. I like to read, I like old movies, (like before the 1960's old), old books, (Sherlock Holmes, Charles Dickens, etc.) I collect dolls. I'm also a bit of a hermit, an introvert. If these things aren't "normal", then so be it. It's who I am, and I'm not going to change it because somebody doesn't like it.

Everyone has a different definition of "normal", and the way I see myself is "normal". But that doesn't mean that I judge other people because they aren't "normal" by my standards. There is no one definition of normal, and people should realize that.

(I'm going to post this, but I'm not completely sure that what I'm saying has anything to do with the subject at hand...)
Posted 7/2/2010 3:44 AM (GMT 0)
normal is not somethign you can define, its relative
Posted 7/2/2010 4:11 AM (GMT 0)
My relatives aren't normal by any means tongue
Posted 7/2/2010 5:03 AM (GMT 0)
I've always been told that 'normal' is just a cycle on a washing machine, other than that, there's no such thing as 'normal' :)
Posted 7/2/2010 7:59 AM (GMT 0)
What's wrong with not being normal?
Posted 7/2/2010 8:57 AM (GMT 0)

AZYooper said...
Nobody is normal

..lol - I agree!
Posted 7/2/2010 1:51 PM (GMT 0)
What is wrong with reading books and watching old movies? That is as normal as doing any other activity. I think that some people are confusing normal with perfect. If perfect is the criteria for normal, well then AZYooper right “Nobody is normal.”

If you want to feel that you are not normal, then go ahead it is your right. However, nobody will change my mind. I will think of all of us as a normal people fighting a bad disease.
Posted 7/2/2010 5:31 PM (GMT 0)
Is seems that you have issues with not being considered normal, that you have a need to be considered normal. Perhaps the word has a different meaning for you. I checked dictionary.com, and normal actually has slightly different connotations depending on the context in which it is being used. Here are a few of the definitions:

- conforming to the standard or the common type...

- ...sane (psychology)

- free from any infection or other form of disease... (medical)

Yes. I think most, if not all, of us on this forum are sane. However, we have colitis; so we are not free from any form of disease. We would be in denial if we believed our medical condition was normal.
Posted 7/2/2010 6:29 PM (GMT 0)
If that works for you Subdued OK. But for me, someone with an infected finger being termed not normal makes no sense. ( "free from any infection or other form of disease... (medical)")

I accept that my life is different because I have UC and I deal with it as best as I can. Accepting being called not normal is not good for my self-esteem. My battle is both physical and psychological and I am determined to win both.
Posted 7/2/2010 7:03 PM (GMT 0)
NABO-I understand what you are saying. However, when my infected finger heals I don't consider myself infected. On the other hand, even in remission I still, unfortunately, consider myself "diseased."

That's why an infected finger heals. It doesn't "go into remission."

This thread reminds me of an old joke: you're unique, just like everybody else.
Posted 7/2/2010 8:23 PM (GMT 0)
Normal is subjective and encompasses a huge set of perceived criteria. In other words...we're all dysfunctionally normal.
I'm not "normal"....but function normally with my meds....so, OK, I'm normal for me. I use the term normal for how one functions not in a flare...like once things are back to "normal"...meaning no symptoms.q
Posted 7/2/2010 9:00 PM (GMT 0)
I am normal and I am not normal. Most of the time I consider myself unique. I don't have a colon or a rectum and I think that is awesome and makes me special and apart from your ideal of normal. Maybe it's because I am older but I don't pigeon hole myself. A good way for you to get "out of this thinking is by getting outside of yourself. If you don't do volunteer work in your community I suggest you try it. It will change your perception of normal while also giving you the satisfaction of helping someone less fortunate or less abled than yourself. You seem to be focused on you.

Sue
Posted 7/2/2010 9:13 PM (GMT 0)

NABO said...
If that works for you Subdued OK. But for me, someone with an infected finger being termed not normal makes no sense. ( "free from any infection or other form of disease... (medical)")

Interesting. My future MIL had two infected toes. She had to get half of the two toes removed. She has a lot of medical conditions and is definitely not normal due to her medical conditions. Neither are her toes.
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