Fighter, Survivor, Warrior: Rethinking Illness Language - Ep. 12

In this episode of Fine, But Not Fine, I’m digging into the words we use to describe people living with chronic or incurable illnesses — terms like “warrior,” “fighter,” and “survivor.” While I know these words are meant to inspire and uplift, they often don’t reflect what daily life with a chronic illness actually feels like. Most days aren’t epic battles — they’re routines filled with managing symptoms, navigating healthcare, and just getting through. I share why I prefer words like “navigating,” “managing,” and “coping,” and why it’s so important for each of us to define our own experience, without feeling boxed in by someone else’s idea of strength. If you’ve ever felt weird about being called a “fighter” when you were just trying to make it through a Tuesday, you’re not alone.