Fragility of Humans

Because I’m so very physically weak due to my progressive neuromuscular disease, I want to be very strong emotionally, as well as intellectually and spiritually. I am dependent upon others for every daily act of survival, therefore, I strive to be self-reliant when it comes to emotional struggles.

But I’m only human. Human beings need other human beings. We are not created to be alone. So though I often try to “tough it out” when it comes to stress, grief, or frustrations, I sometimes want to wear a shirt that says:

Fragile:

Handle with Care

And I know that I’m not alone. I know there are others who feel the same way because they’re human, just like me.

I’ve often told my mother that she should not feel ashamed or embarrassed when she needs physical help from someone else. It’s my daily life to ask for assistance. Because I always need help — to get dressed, to be toileted, to be washed, to use my computer, to leave the house, to be fed, to brush my teeth etc. — I do not feel any kind of shame or embarrassment in asking for that help. However, admitting that I cannot be alone in a room with no one to hear me without having a severe panic attack, well, that’s embarrassing to me. What I need to remember is that any kind of activity is difficult for me to handle on my own. Naturally. Writing a book or being interviewed on global TV or radio — that’s not something I can do alone either. I don’t just mean physically, I mean emotionally, mentally, even intellectually.

When I spoke to a group of college juniors, the first “talk” I gave about my faith, I knew, I just knew, that I couldn’t do it. I was insurmountably nervous. My stress and anxiety were getting the better of me. I wanted to cancel.

I turned to God in prayer to tell Him, “I cannot do this, God. I can’t!” And then this naturally came next. “I can’t do this, God — but You can.”

This was probably the first time that I “let go and let God” when something was overwhelming me. It definitely wasn’t the last. And yet, I still need to remind myself that I need help, that I need assistance, that I can’t go it alone.

Thankfully, none of us are really alone.

Yet, some of our fellow human beings have no idea that they can entrust themselves to the Holy Spirit, that they can give their anxieties and sufferings to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and focus all of their will and intent on trusting God. Some of our fellow human beings also don’t have the encouragement and reassurance of other human beings to help them not only to know this truth, but to put this truth into practice, to fulfill it in reality. I need that kind of help.

In thinking about all of this, especially in sharing this picture (one that came about because my dad thought it would be cute to take the fragile tag off of an item and place it on me), I’m reminded how important it is to know that we are all fragile. Every human being. We do not thrive under tension, poverty, or violence. In fact, these things can destroy us slowly or swiftly.

In every situation, big and little, I pray and hope that we will remember to handle each other with care. Words are powerful. Insulting and destructive words only cause destruction. Generalized statements that call any group of human beings demonic or idiotic are not helpful in any way shape or form. Take a breath. Remember your own foibles. Remember your own fragility. And pray to God that you will speak reasonably, with authentic love for every human being in your heart. Does that sound namby-pamby? Remember, Jesus exhorted His followers to love their enemies, pray for those who persecuted them, and bless those who cursed them.

Perhaps this is how the world can be changed.

Fragility is real. Humanity itself is fragile. Please, can we stop throwing stones?

May I also remember this in my own personal life, and may I not be embarrassed to admit when I need emotional or psychological assistance. Divine assistance is always available, Christina — remember that.

God is good.

© 2025 Christina Chase

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Feature Photo courtesy of my dad: © 2025 Dan Chase