"Most people, when they hear the disease name, it's all they know about it. It sounds so mild. When I first was sick, for the first 10 years or so, I was dismissed. I was ridiculed and told I was lazy. It was a joke"

This quote by Laura Hillenbrand speaks with the absence of understanding and awareness of chronic health problems. Hillenbrand is describing her own experience with persistent health problem, which she has actually been living with for over 10 years. She highlights the fact that when people hear the name of her disease, they presume it is moderate and not major. This absence of understanding has actually resulted in Hillenbrand being dismissed, ridiculed, and told she was lazy. This quote speaks to the need for greater awareness and understanding of persistent health problems, so that people living with them are not evaluated and dismissed. It is very important to recognize that chronic illnesses can be devastating and need long-term management. It is only through greater understanding and awareness that people dealing with persistent illnesses can get the assistance and care they require.