I HAVE WHAT YOU MIGHT CALL AN INVISIBLE ILLNESS

I have what you might call an ‘invisible illness’. You can’t see it just by looking at me – but it’s a reality I live with every day.I may look ‘normal’ – on a good day I may even seem energetic and happy – but what’s going on inside is a completely different story.I don’t want to alarm you… and I’m not seeking attention or special treatment. In fact, you’ll find I rarely mention it because I want to live as normal a life as possible and be treated just like everyone else.But that doesn’t mean I don’t need your understanding and it doesn’t mean I don’t have difficulty coping sometimes.I know it seems like I have everything under control but imagine for a moment what it’s like to know that what’s happening to you is completely out of your control. You can’t stop it and what’s worse is – sometimes you can’t hide it from the people you love. And that’s the worst part… the bad days. The days when you can’t hide it behind a smile and you feel like you’re bringing people down. The days when you have to ask for help and you feel like a burden…. Those are the days I’m running on empty.So if you see me and I don’t seem like my usual vibrant self it means I’m probably having one of those days…. And if you’re kind enough to offer me a helping hand … I might just take it