People have been praising me for being so strong, which I find weird. I mean, what are my options, abandoning him in a crisis?
Not the same thing, but I've been dealing with my mom's Dr appts and IV meds and stuff around her current health situation, and while I do find the idea that I wouldn't be there for her when she needs me reprehensible, I do still appreciate it when one of her sisters or her friends thanks me, because it has been kind of draining. So though there's no way I wouldn't have done it, I appreciate that someone's acknowledging it. (It is a little awkward, and I usually just say thanks). So, maybe don't think of it as thanks or praise of your strength or whatever, but just someone acknowledging that you're going through something as well as him.
I personally hate it when people praise my handling of my disability.
Ditto.
These are kind of funny - like, what were your other options? Fetal position in the corner for life?
I have a friend who was badly injured in a fire and when she got engaged she told me but asked me not to say anything because she didn't want the media to get hold of it. I teased her - "Why, because you're so BRAVE? But you're such AN INSPIRATION!" (I'm not sure when they got hold of it, but sure enough her wedding did get a half page article in the paper).
Aims, please feel free to pop your address to my profile addy - I have ever so many cards with cute animals and such that would be happy to have a purpose.