Some Good Advice: Do’s and Don’ts for When Your Friend is Chronically Ill and/or Disabled

From Petticoat Ruler:

don’t

expect them to be able to go out on a whim
expect them to have lives just like yours
expect them to always be available
demand details of their illness that they haven’t volunteered, ask them nicely and don’t badger
offer help or assistance to make yourself feel like a better person
act as though the disease is catching, repugnant, or disgusting
challenge them to do things they have already told you were impossible
baby them or treat them as though they’re less competent mentally
tell other people about their illness(es)
suggest cures/treatments/holistic practices (since, you know, they probably have already tried it)
Try to relate their problem to your experience – your sprained ankle is nothing like chronic pain, your bout with stomach flu is nothing like IBS, your inability…