Demanding that systems acknowledge and accommodate the specific conditions of chronic illness, not treating all bodies as if they were equally capable.
Sor Juana argued that justice required acknowledging difference—that women and indigenous peoples could not be held to the same standards or excluded on the same grounds as men. Applied to chronic illness, this concept challenges false universalism: the assumption that workplaces, healthcare, family life, or social institutions can function as if everyone has the same energy, pain tolerance, and capacity. True justice means designing systems that account for real variation in human function. It means medical systems that listen rather than dismiss. It means workplaces that offer flexibility rather than rigid expectations. It means social spaces—friendships, communities—that adapt rather than exclude. This is not asking for special treatment; it is asking for recognition that the current baseline already excludes many bodies. Justice is adjusting that baseline to include more. It involves naming where you are unfairly burdened and what reasonable accommodations look like. This framework moves beyond charity into rights: you deserve systems designed for bodies like yours, not merely tolerance.
Peri can explain this concept, give practical examples, help you decide whether it applies to your situation, or recommend a journey if appropriate.
Explore related journeys or tell Peri what you're working through.