When Dorothy proudly pronounces the name of her illness: Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, I had to laugh a little, also felt a bit of sadness. As a long-term "unknown illness" patient I know exactly how she feels. Patients with an illness that bears a recognizable name would much more easily win others' understanding and compassion. Without a sounding name, you would just have to struggle through a painful/endless path alone and even endure being mistreated as a mentally ill person.
This fact to me is a perfect example of the arrogance of medical institutions and the blindness of their followers (sadly is overwhelmingly the majority of the human population). Who gives the name of illnesses? Medical institutions. Who decides you are ill or healthy? Doctor. So if doctors can't find what's wrong with you, you must be mentally crazy...
Susan Harris, the writer of Golden Girl, suffered such kind of illness and that's why she could so vividly speak out through her character for millions of unknown illness patients.
I enjoyed this show and still think it's way better than so many contemporary junky tv shows.
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