THE DEFIANT QUESTION · THURSDAY · DF028

Pain Is Not a Permission Slip.

September 10, 2026Accountability, Illness & Moral Ambiguity6 min read

Illness can shape behavior and shrink capacity, but it cannot require the person who was hurt to stop being hurt.

There is a strange promotion that sometimes comes with a diagnosis: people begin treating you as if illness has appointed you victim, ambassador and moral authority at the same time. The benefits package is terrible, but apparently it includes diplomatic immunity.

I have no interest in that promotion.