Carry On
Invisible chronic illnesses are exactly what they sound like, conditions which last a life time and aren't immediately obvious to others. The percentage of people afflicted with these conditions is great enough, likely everyone knows someone affected by an invisible disability to some degree. I am one of those people. I live every day with several chronic debilitating illnesses.
When I first became ill, I wanted to find a "fix," a cure. I was sure a drug or therapy existed to heal me. The search, paired with the pain I endured, took over my life. I was determined to find a "magic" pill I could take to make my illness disappear. Then my rheumatologist at the time told me something I thought was extremely cruel, but have since realized was something that saved my life. He looked me directly in the eye and told me, "You are sick. You are going to be sick for the rest of your life. The sooner you realize this, the better off you will be." He was right. Once I accepted the fact I was chronically ill and always would be, I began learning how to live with my conditions. I stood up and refused to let my sickness kill the beautiful person I am.
The pain I feel every day is a reminder. I am breathing and alive. I would rather be in constant pain and aware of the world around me, than to be numb and oblivious. There are days when I feel like laying down and giving in to the illness. These are the times when I straighten my back and forge on. I refuse to let my sickness become who I am. I will not let it define me.
When I first became ill, I wanted to find a "fix," a cure. I was sure a drug or therapy existed to heal me. The search, paired with the pain I endured, took over my life. I was determined to find a "magic" pill I could take to make my illness disappear. Then my rheumatologist at the time told me something I thought was extremely cruel, but have since realized was something that saved my life. He looked me directly in the eye and told me, "You are sick. You are going to be sick for the rest of your life. The sooner you realize this, the better off you will be." He was right. Once I accepted the fact I was chronically ill and always would be, I began learning how to live with my conditions. I stood up and refused to let my sickness kill the beautiful person I am.
The pain I feel every day is a reminder. I am breathing and alive. I would rather be in constant pain and aware of the world around me, than to be numb and oblivious. There are days when I feel like laying down and giving in to the illness. These are the times when I straighten my back and forge on. I refuse to let my sickness become who I am. I will not let it define me.