Taboo Illnesses

With illnesses like Ankylosing Spondylitis, allergies, Hereditary Angioedema, and even Inflammatory Bowel Diseases, sure I get the average criticism, but for the most part I can speak openly about my illness and my experiences.
There will always be certain people who will criticize my diet, activity level, or treatments. Everyone believes something a little bit different when it comes to treating any kind of chronic illness, but these general criticisms are relatively easy to ignore. I know that I am doing my best to take care of myself; I am doing whatever I can to feel 'decent', so I am comforted by my own efforts.

What about people who suffer from 'taboo' illnesses?
What about people who suffer with Type 2 Diabetes, Lung Cancer from smoking, Heart Disease, HIV, AIDS, Liver Disease caused by alcoholism? What about all of those people with injuries from their own choices?
They face much more severe criticism. They are not able to openly talk about their suffering or their experiences because there tends to be very little empathy or even sympathy for people in those particular circumstances.
I am especially guilty as well. We live in an age of comparison. Everyone is comparing their own views and circumstances with those of others incessantly. Sometimes, when I see people suffering from their own mistakes and their own choices, who also do not own up to their own mistakes while actively seeking funding or special considerations, I have to check my own ego.
The truth is, no matter what choices led to disease, the person does not suffer less than anyone who develops similar diseases through no fault of their own. While I understand (and often feel) the urge to place blame, to criticize, and to point out that some 'taboo' illnesses will improve from better decision-making, I cannot entirely discount their suffering.
Pain is pain.

Today I feel lucky, in a sense, that I am at least able to openly discuss my own suffering. While I know I am being judged in a general way, I also know that my own decisions were not the cause of my most painful symptoms. I do not receive the very specific criticism of:
"You did this to yourself." Or "You got what you deserved."

I commend those who feel they have to suffer in silence because of stigma. I am certain that the vast majority of taboo-illness-sufferers have learned their lesson and are trying to do everything they can to make better decisions and improve their symptoms.

Just like the rest of us.