Cystic Fibrosis is a genetic disorder. It is classified as a dread disease because what it does to you is horrifying. Life expectancy when I was diagnosed at age 35 was 36 years old. Wikipedia tells me it is up between 42 and 50 these days in developed countries.

It accounts for about a third of all lung transplants for adults in the US and half of all pediatric lung transplants. It fosters the development of antibiotic resistant infections.

And I don't really want to harp on it, because it's clear that you and most people here aren't in the least bit sympathetic, which is why I have gotten so many replies telling me I am just not trying hard enough, etc.

Sometimes, people feel like victims because something has gone terribly wrong with their life and not because they are into pity parties. It aggravates me to be accused of having a victim mentality instead of having actual problems, in part because I have gotten off multiple prescription drugs, the hole in my left lung has closed and I manage my condition with diet and lifestyle. I wouldn't have achieved that without a lot of competence, psychological resilience and a can do attitude. But I get zero credit for what I have accomplished. I get nothing but crapped on any time I talk about getting myself healthier.

So I get zero sympathy for a very serious problem that is supposed to be incurable. I also get zero credit or respect for doing what is supposed to be impossible and getting healthier.

The only thing I have consistently asked on HN and elsewhere is some assistance in figuring out how to make adequate money online so my job won't keep me sick and I get shit for that too. Never mind how many other people on HN make their money online or aspire to and get their aspirations taken seriously. I get told I'm basically deluded for wanting that. And it's like hello? Lots of people are doing exactly that. Why on earth shouldn't I be able to do the same? Why can't I get sincere constructive feedback aimed at helping me do exactly that, in spite of my handicap?

I have 6 years of college. I had a Fortune 500 job for over 5 years. I appear to be the only woman to have ever made the leaderboard of HN. When men here make a lot of karma, they get told they must be smart and competent. When I say I appear to be the only woman to have ever made the leaderboard, I get all kinds of crap about how that doesn't actually mean anything. It is never taken to mean what I am trying to say -- that the evidence is that I'm not incompetent here. In fact, when you account for the apparent handicapping effect of my gender, it seems to me that the conclusion should be I'm far more competent than it looks.

I'm having an especially bad day today, but it isn't like any of my days are ever good. I was personally attacked by the first reply to me, a violation of HN guidelines. Then you and other people piled on to add to it. Exactly one reply tried to actually be helpful.

And then I get downvoted and lectured for getting upset at how I get treated. That's all kinds of messed up.

I just want my life to work. I have pulled miracles out my butt for a lot of years to try to make it work. But it is never enough because no matter what I do, I am not taken seriously.

Having a dread disease fails to be reason for anyone to have real compassion and having the competence to get well in the face of an incurable disease fails to get any respect or positive interest.

It's probably a mistake to reply. I live in fear of being banned for pointing out that I am failing to get the help I need.

It isn't because I'm not trying. I posted a Show HN this morning and it has been ignored. Most of my efforts to do something constructive get largely ignored, especially anything aimed at making a few bucks. From my end, it feels like the entire world finds it offensive for me to try to support myself, then finds it equally offensive for me to be frustrated and upset at being unable to escape poverty. Then personal remarks of mine get an excess of attention, usually negative attention, especially if I am already under more than normal stress in a life that is chronically high stress.

It would be nice if the world would at least refrain from kicking me while I'm down. I got the memo a long time ago that actual help will not be forthcoming and I can figure it out my damn self or die trying.