The Privilege of Health

Someone thanked me yesterday for helping to remind her about a form of privilege that goes unexamined: the privilege that comes with good health. The ability to do what you want, when you want to. Never fearing that you will face rejection or abandonment because of your not-perfect health. Being able to eat without nausea, move without pain, sleep without interruption, and trust that your brain isn't lying to you when it reflects your self-image back at you. The freedom of being believed by doctors, of not being dismissed because you're too young, too female, too hysterical. Of not being told that a stronger person wouldn't have this problem, that your imperfection must be the result of a weak constitution or poor character. The privilege of doing and being without always second-guessing yourself.