These are quotes attributed to author, teacher, disability advocate, and cancer survivor Jan Mariet. For the benefit of those who are visually impaired or using a text reader, a written list of quotes is included below.
Chronic illnesses may not be curable, but they can be managed—sometimes with medicine, sometimes with adaptability, but always with resilience.
Not all battles are visible; many fight unseen illnesses with courage that goes unnoticed.
A progressive disability doesn’t just change abilities—it transforms how life is lived, one step at a time.
Cancer is more than a diagnosis; it’s a journey of strength, uncertainty, and relentless hope.
Support isn’t just offering help; it’s showing up, listening, and reminding someone they are not alone in their struggle.
Fatigue and pain don’t always announce themselves; they creep in unpredictably, turning even the simplest tasks into challenges.
Sometimes, the smallest gestures—a ride to an appointment, a home-cooked meal, or a few kind words—carry the greatest weight.
You don’t need the perfect words to comfort someone—just the willingness to listen, to care, and to be there.
False optimism doesn’t heal, but genuine empathy does—acknowledge the fear, honor the struggle, and stand beside them through it all.
Illness does not define you—your strength, resilience, and spirit do.
Even the strongest need support—no one should have to battle alone.
A flare is not a failure; it is a reminder that your body deserves care, not blame.
Healing isn’t just about medicine; it’s about patience, understanding, and knowing you are not alone.
Some battles are invisible, but your strength in fighting them shines brighter than you know.
Setting boundaries isn’t selfish; it’s essential to being able to support those who need you.
Uncertainty can be overwhelming, but remember—you are stronger than the hardest days you face.
True support isn’t about fixing everything; it’s about standing beside someone, even in silence.
Your diagnosis is not the end of your story—it’s just one chapter in a life still worth living.
Never be afraid to seek a second opinion—your health deserves every possible option.
Survival statistics are numbers from the past—your future is still being written.
An optimistic outlook isn’t denial; it’s fuel for the fight ahead.
Focus on what is strong, not what is wrong—your resilience will carry you through.
Cancer is a journey, not an identity—don’t let it define you.
Asking questions isn’t a sign of fear, but a sign of strength in taking control of your care.
Even in the hardest moments, lifting someone else up can help lift yourself.
Every treatment, every struggle, and every victory is part of your unique cancer journey—embrace it with courage.
You are more than a patient; you are a fighter, a survivor, and a person with a life beyond cancer.
There is no ‘right way’ to share your cancer diagnosis—do what feels right for you.
You don’t owe anyone an explanation about your medical condition—it’s your story and it’s your choice.
Telling others about your cancer diagnosis is not just about sharing news; it’s about finding support and strength.
Focus on what you can do, not what you can’t—your resilience is your power.
Taking charge of your health is not a burden; it’s a path to empowerment.
A positive outlook doesn’t mean ignoring reality—it means choosing to rise above it.
Support is a two-way street—surround yourself with those who uplift, not those who drain.
Even in your most difficult moments, you have the right to set boundaries and protect your peace.
Managing your health is an act of self-love—advocate for yourself, ask questions, and demand answers.
Blaming yourself for the past won’t change the present—focus on living your best life now.
You are not your illness; you are a person who happens to have an illness.
Surround yourself with those who understand—finding your tribe can bring strength and joy.
Honoring your limitations isn’t weakness; it’s wisdom in action.
Envy is natural, but focusing on what you can do brings true contentment.
Let go of unrealistic expectations and embrace what is possible—your happiness depends on it.
Chronic illness and disability are thieves, stealing the joys of daily life piece by piece.
It’s hard to stay connected when the only stories you have left to tell are about pain.
The more you have to cancel, the less you get invited—until your social life disappears entirely.
Chronic illness not only takes your strength but also the simple pleasures others take for granted.
The world is not as accessible as it should be, making inclusion feel like an impossible dream.
Watching life go on without you is a quiet kind of heartbreak.
How many times can you be the scorekeeper in the kickball game of life before you stop feeling like a player?
The genetic roulette wheel favors some and forsakes others, even within the same family tree.
We don’t get to choose the conditions we inherit, but we do get to choose how we live with them.
Fortitude, perseverance, and adaptability are just as much an inheritance as blue eyes or dimples.
Chronic illness may shape my life, but it does not define my spirit.
Joy doesn’t erase pain, but in fleeting moments, it becomes the best medicine there is.
Life does not deal out illness or hardship fairly—we simply have to make the best of the hand we are dealt.
A single beautiful sunset won’t cure disease, but for a moment, it can make life feel lighter.
Some inherit strength, others illness—many of us inherit both, and that’s how we endure.
Focusing on what I can do, rather than what I can’t, is the key to finding joy despite adversity.
When life changes are beyond your control, you have two choices—let it break you or learn to adapt.
Minimizing someone’s struggles by reminding them others have it worse only invalidates their very real feelings and experiences.
When we tell others their problems aren’t significant, we are essentially judging their life journey and trivializing their pain.
It’s painful when loved ones react to our changes with blame, pity, or misguided attempts at a ‘cure’ instead of offering genuine support.
Some people pretend our limitations don’t exist, which can make us feel gaslit and further isolated in our journey.
Relationships often suffer when loved ones can’t accept the reality of chronic illness or disability, making the struggle even harder.
Chronic illness and disability often create a loneliness that cannot be solved by social skills or seeking out others; it’s the kind that mourns lost possibilities and dreams.
Sometimes, your soul is begging to be happy, but you just can’t find the way to start. That fake smile turns into pure joy before you even realize it.
Tragedies, struggles, hardships, and challenges affect us all. We do not choose them, and we cannot avoid them. We can only choose how we react to them.
Even when circumstances in our lives change, joy remains if we focus on the small things of beauty that surround us all.
Joy hides in plain sight. Even when darkness surrounds us, we can admire the stars!
Stop trying to please others or live up to other people’s standards. Be who you were meant to be.
