I, for instance, could simply tell people

“I have chronic fatigue syndrome, suspected fibromyalgia, hormonal imbalances, and chronic migraines.”⁠ ⁠

 

But that means something different to each person who hears it. To many, it simply means I burned out, an hyper-sensitive, am getting older, and have lots of headaches. That “understanding” doesn’t truly inform them, nor does it help me or others.

Enter the elevator pitch.⁠

 

An elevator pitch is a short, direct description of an idea, product or company, meant to last the duration of an elevator ride, that explains the concept in a way such that any listener can understand it in that short period of time.⁠ ⁠

I believe we can learn from this concept—typically used in business—to learn to communicate about our illnesses in such a way that provides others a clear understanding of difficult, often misunderstood concepts.⁠ ⁠ This description typically explains, at the very least, what the idea, product, company (or person) is, why it is needed, who the thing is for, what it does, and how it will get done. The first two sentences are the most important and should grab the attention of the listener and express the most important ideas or concepts in simple, understandable language.⁠ ⁠

 

Using these thoughts as a starting point, here are what I believe would be the important pieces of a chronic illness “elevator explanation”:⁠ ⁠

• What causes the illness⁠

• What parts of your body are affected⁠

• How they are affected⁠ ⁠

 

Because you can’t say everything, and because people tune out after two or three medical terms, as you craft your explanation, think about:⁠ ⁠ ⁠

• What is most significant to you about your illness/es?

• What do you most want them to understand?

• What is the condition that affects you most?

• Can you combine illnesses in some way as to not write a novel?

• Does it cover the most important aspects of your illness without getting too complicated?

• Is it easy to say?

• Is it memorable?

 

So, for instance, I could say something like:

I have a neurological condition, typically triggered by a virus, that affects most of the major systems of the body. It causes my body to not be able to produce energy and basically wonks out my immune system.

 

Or, I could say:

I have a multi-system illness that trashes my immune system and basically creates lots of pain, fatigue, and what they call “brain fog.” It’s usually brought on by a virus or a trauma to the body. 

 

Does it say everything?

No.

 

But does it say what I want people to understand?

• The illness affects many systems

• It causes extreme fatigue and pain

• I get sick a lot as a result, and

• I didn’t cause it.

 

Yes.

 

It concisely says what is important to me for people to know in a way people can understand.

And THAT alone is worth the time and energy it takes to put our thoughts into words.