I think one thing that really teaches us about privilege is having one kind, but not another — or losing a kind you once had, like youth or health. I appreciate the financial comfort I have because I haven’t always had that. At times in my childhood we were on food stamps and had Medicaid. Had I always had it, I don’t think I could possibly appreciate it to the degree that I do.

Same is true of physical health. Even though I’ve been fat most of my life, I was able to do a LOT. I had a demanding job that had me on my feet most of an 8 hour day. I walked a lot. I even belonged to a gym for a time. But then in 2001 I began to have symptoms of chronic pain and it would take almost 8 years to figure out that it was fibromyalgia (because I was so steeped in fatphobia that I dismissed my pain even more than the doctors I saw did — though they certainly didn’t help matters).

Now, when I see (what look like) healthy people doing fun things at places like national parks, I hope they appreciate how fortunate they are to do the things that they can do… but I also know that they likely do not, that they likely take it for granted because that’s just how it works.

That’s why it’s so important that we listen to the voices of those around us, those who do not share the same privileges. It’s our only chance at becoming more empathetic and supportive as a society.