Smart Device and Chronic Illness

Picture this: 

You are given a device. 

This device has to last you a lifetime. There are no exchanges, no returns, and none available to purchase. What you are given is all you have - for life. 

Sometimes you download too many things or click on too many links that result in viruses and the like, so you may need to get it looked at or repaired. 

Sometimes, though, devices are given out that have inherent flaws; duds, if you will, that tend to malfunction. Calls will drop out, you'll have connectivity and functionality issues, all hard-wired into the system. You can try to download apps to help it run a bit better, or you can even replace or remove faulty parts, but it will never work at normal peak performance. 

Sometimes these malfunctions won't even show up until you've had the device for several years. 

You start to notice that the battery won't recharge any higher than 70%. You take it in and you're told that there is nothing that can be done, and it will gradually function less and less over time. Small improvements can be made to specific function problems, but overall the device will continue to experience issues until it no longer works at all. 

After you've had this device for a long time, you have become accustomed to its inconsistencies. Some days it will peak at 40%, some days it barely works at all, sitting at 20% or lower. It is difficult to use the device as needed. You might have special chargers or charge banks, you may have to change a few settings and use the device sparingly to get the most out of what is left. You never know if it is going to work or not, or if it is going to simply shut down all by itself. Some days it is utterly useless, but it's the only device you have, so you try everything to increase its functionality. You do everything in your power to capitalize on each well-functioning day, and to be careful not to trigger any of its common issues. 

You're careful and you take care of your device, but ultimately some devices just do not work properly, and that is what you were given. 

This is what chronic illness is like. Inconsistent, malfunctioning parts, every attempt possible made to improve any small process, and ultimately functioning at a much lower percentage than what is considered to be normal. 

No returns or exchanges. 

No available purchases to replace an entire unit. 

Small adjustments and the odd improvement in a function here or a function there, but never reliable. Rarely predictable.