+124 If you think about it, it's a little odd that someone with a potentially fatal illness is called brave. That person didn't choose to have what he has and has no choice other than to live with it. amirite?

by Anonymous 10 years ago

You have just politely worded what I shout at the TV when someone with a fatal illness is called "brave", "inspirational" and worst of all "beautiful". Yes it really is horrible that they have this illness and they might be dealing with this very well but that does not make them brave or inspirational and has nothing to do with their physical appearance. To me, brave is a firefighter or someone along that line.

by Anonymous 11 years ago

I would argue, as a couple others here already have, that if you aren't crying nonstop in a corner wailing about how your life is over and/or killing yourself, I'd definitely consider that brave and inspirational. However, I agree that "beautiful" is idiotic pandering. It's very much used only so the speaker can feel superior in their open mindedness and "refusal to conform to society's notions of beauty".

by Anonymous 11 years ago

agreed :) Yeah if you read what I said further down I corrected myself a little bit on the bravery thing. But yes, "beautiful" is definitely the worst.The only person that makes feel better is the person who says it.

by Anonymous 11 years ago

If I had a fatal illness, I'd probably be hating my life and cursing every minute of it and become depressed; I'm a coward (not always). But when I see someone coping with their illness, fighting with all their might to get cured, being happy and smiling, even if it's forced, enjoying their time, helping others, living their life normally, then yeah they definitely are brave. Being brave doesn't always have to do with something physical; a person coping with their illness is much braver than someone who stands up to a bully. So yes not everyone with a fatal illness is necessarily brave, but someone dealing with it and facing it is yes indeed brave.

by Anonymous 11 years ago