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Living with a invisible disability is very frustrating due to so many different reasons. I am a 35 year old single mother trying my best to raise two teenage daughters with chronic pain. Every day is a struggle for our family due to my suffering.
I should not say my suffering, because everyone around you suffers. Your children suffer by you not being able to do the things that you use to. Your spouse suffers because they can not stand to see you suffer without any cure. Your friends suffer due to you not feeling good enough to hang out with them. Yourself suffers, due to the fact that you are still young at heart and would like to do the things that you want to.
People look at you and snicker, to your face. They say things like you don't even know what pain is. They give you the look of disgust when you tell them that you are unable to do something that they can. Then they think to themselves that you are lazy and just wanting attention. For the most part I can say for everyone out there with a invisible disability, that is far from the truth.
I would rather not be in the public since I do not know when my spasms are going to make me stop in my tracks and double over. I do not know when my pain in my knees and ankles are going to slow my pace down. I would rather stay home where I am comfortable in knowing that no one will see me suffer. Pity is something that I do not need from anyone, since I have enough for every person in this world.
The anger, the sadness, the loneliness, the torture that you and your body puts you through every day is tough. You fight with your self to remember that you are in better shape than others. You try to remember that the glass is half full. You try to keep the disease from getting the better of you. There is no way of making you understand the feelings of suffering. I have no clue how to come close the horrible emotions that the invisible disease brings on. Then you suffer more, because stress and anxiety create their own illness.
You have to figure out how to do the simplest deeds around the house. You may have to get a barstool to do dishes. You will have to put rails up in different areas of your home. Planning a day is usually a few hours long. You may not be able to walk for very long. Unless you plan on renting a Amigo or something of the sort. But will your pride allow you to do so.
You have to find new ideas to keep your children entertained. You have to be creative in finding new ways to be intimate with your spouse. You worry that your spouse will not leave due to you being unable to attend functions together. You have to worry about keeping your job. You have to worry how you will pay for your medical attention.
These are what you deal with when you have an invisible disease. It will not make you fully understand what we go through, unless you live with someone who suffers. Just take time to some how put yourself in someone else shoes. Imagine what it would be like if you felt sick every day of your life, without anyone seeing your illness.
Learn more about this author, Amy Hill.
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Struggles associated with an invisible disability
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