It is 2017, and I am sitting in a small white hospital room with a green cot.
My partner is by my side crying.
We think you have leukemia.
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All of it finally made sense.
I thought they were normal side effects of being houseless and broke.
Its often easily treatable when caught early but can become aggressive when it goes undetected.
Over the course of the past three years, I have defied expectations and made it to 26.
Usually when people look at me, they never think I havecanceror a compromised immune system.
To most, I look normal.
Thats largely because there are misconceptions about what it means to be immunocompromised.
The reality is, there is no way to determine who is immunocompromised simply by looking at their appearance.
The population of immunocompromised people ismuch largerand more diverse than most would presume.
These myths have tangible effects on us.
They inform stereotypes that immunocompromised people are inherently lazy, weak, unfit to survive, and a burden.
Many of us deal with these misconceptions and biases on a daily basis.
How could anyone say this and think its okay?
I understandthis pandemic is overwhelming.
I still want to challenge folks to make a run at do better.
Heres a start: Listen to immunocompromised people and understand that to practicesocial distancingis to practice social solidarity.
It is a means to protect those who are most vulnerable, such as immunocompromised people like me.
It is an opportunity to unpack problematic notions surrounding disabled and immunocompromised people.
Social solidarity prioritizes people who are generally othered and treats us as important, valuable, and worthy.
It can also be donating tolocal mutual aid groupsthat are providing groceries and supplies to vulnerable community members.
Social solidarity doesnt only make a difference in our quality of life.
Social solidarity is what is keeping me, and so many others, alive in the first place.
When I watch social solidarity practiced in real time, it gives me hope.
Its proof we can do better and rely on one another.
