The Category of Using Diseases as Excuses

I think the title of this entry is a little more negative sounding than I mean it to. I just wanted to point out something I have seen in people, including myself, that I have not totally decided my opinion of. I've seen it a lot, and have had ample time to consider my position, but I can't quite conclude it. This is the issue of people with certain medical conditions that they have been properly diagnosed with, using their issue to some sort of benefit, specifically when it is not actually caused by the disease. I have two specific examples I think of, and these two explain my problem deciding my stance.

A friend of mine that I hung out with a couple years ago had some sort of learning disability, or mental dysfunction, that was really limited in its scope. What I mean was, he admitted that although some people have a far worse version of what he has, his is more of an annoyance or inconvenience than an actual issue that really affects his life. However, because of the understanding of his disorder by the medical community as serious, he applied for and received several special allowances in university. He gets copies of notes from other students who volunteer to make copies of their notes for people who have a harder time. He gets more time for tests, and even special conditions under which he can take them. He told me that he doesn't need any of this stuff at all, but he figures his issue may as well be good for something, and he uses it to excel in university. Frankly I don't want to condemn him as a cheater; I don't know if perhaps he actually would have a harder time. I feel like he has a point, and if he has to have this problem, he may as well make use of what small benefits it provides.

For the other example, I use myself. I was diagnosed with asthma when I was 6 years old, and have become short winded quickly, and may suffer asthma attacks which are very scary. Now sometimes this can be very serious, but other times I am fine and I know it. Other people do not. I have used my asthma as a reason to try less hard, or succeed less in gym classes. I have actually used my asthma to get more time to catch my breath at a Tae Kwon Do tournament, and even was allowed to pause and drink water! This is unheard of in a competition, and I have trained to fight when having an asthma attack; I didn't really NEED a drink. What I figure is if I have to live my life with a problem that will on occasion rob me of my ability to breathe, I might as well use it to get a drink or a break now and then. It seems like side by side, it's an obvious trade.

The problem is I always feel bad when I do this. I feel like I'm using a cop-out, and that I'm being unfair to people around me, getting an advantage I don't really need. I suppose it is the difference between seeing the situations one at a time, or considering the big picture that is our life. The conflict lies in that it sounds like it makes sense, but it feels wrong. Tough to figure out, feeling guilty about trying to make something unfortunate more fortunate. I haven't decided, just wanted to share my two sides.

But don't come crying to me that zombies are eating your ankles; I'm sure you can actually run just fine.