Your Illness May Be Invisible, But You Are Not
In support of National Invisible Chronic Illness Awareness Week
I am approaching the one year anniversary of my blog. I have grown a lot over the past 11 months. I have made many wonderful new contacts. I have learned to be more open and honest about my health – with myself, and with my family and friends. I understand more about the causes and contributing factors of Fibromyalgia. I could go on and on about my growth, but this post is not about me. This post is a celebration of you.
If you were to ask me the most important thing I am taking away from this past year, I would say YOU. From the members of my Meetup support group, to my blogging buddies, to my facebook friends and to my twitter team – everyday I am amazed by the quality people stricken with chronic illness – my chronic community.
You are not a passive bunch, you are passionate. Passionate to learn, and to share, and to heal. Passionate about your craft and your creativity. Passionate about your friends and family. Passionate about your causes and your concerns. And I want to honor your passion. Some of you may have read this list before, but I think it is worth sharing again. We can all use a reminder every once in a while about how valuable we are. And you are valuable – each and every one of you. Valuable, and so much more.
Who You Are
You are survivors.
You are scientists.
You are strong.
You are seekers.
You are smart.
You are sensitive.
You are stoic.
You are resilient.
You are resourceful.
You are artistic.
You are intuitive.
You are compassionate.
You are genuine.
You are proud.
You are beautiful.
You are passionate.
You are brave.
You are creative.
You are wise.
You are empaths.
You are private.
You are each different.
You are complicated.
You are connected.
You are givers.
You are a community.
You are family.
You are friends.
You love life and want to live it to the fullest.
You seek knowledge and understanding.
You appreciate empathy.
You have great senses of humor.
You have hope.
You are real.
You are much, much more than your illness.
Everyday you show me how valuable we all are. Everyday you impress me. Everyday you overwhelm me. And everyday you remind me that we are so much more than our illness. But just in case you do not always remember this yourself, look back over the list and take in all that you are. Pick out the ones that apply most to you, and really think about them. Focus on them for a few minutes. Say them over and over again in you mind. Be proud and say them out loud. Spend some time focusing on all that you are, not on all that you can no longer be. Your illness may be invisible, but you are not.
Hi
I really loved this post and congrats on your 1 year blogging!
May I use the list in my blog?
Hege
Worded so well. I just love that. It really touched my heart.
So beautiful…just like you. Thank you
Thanks for this – perfect timing
jill
Great post! It does help me to think of what I still am – thank you for reminding me.
Congrats on one year blogging!
At a complete loss for words (a rare occurrence) and getting teary eyed. Connecting with you and other spoonies on Twitter has been the best medicine. Ho!
I am so thankful to @suelnge for thanking you on Twitter because this took me to your blog. My website is about my own journeys as well and is also based on research that I am asked to do for others.
We are not our illness. I am not mine. I am a 35 year old female who has been in and out of hospitals since I was 17. I am a wife and mother. I am a flight attendant, even when I hurt so bad I want to shy away. I am a blogger and a friend to everyone. I believe that God has allowed me to suffer with my illnesses because He never gives us more than we can handle and I use my own experiences to bring hope to as many people as I can.
Thank you so much for the strength that you show to others and for such a beautiful post. I too would like to put this on my blog with a trackback to you.
I am so glad you are a part of my life now, because you inspire me!
Thank you for the beautiful post. You have a wonderful way with words. You have provided an up-lifting post that makes everyone feel special and worthy. When we are constantly in pain and dealing with fatigue, it is almost impossible to feel special. God Bless you!
So beautiful! I (and I’m sure many others) appreciate all that you do. Thank you and I hope you have many more successful years of blogging =)
Jenn
Thank you so much for sharing! I have only recently realized how important it is to reach out to those around me instead of hiding. I’m not weaker as a result of my illness. It is people like you that have helped me realize this.
Teary. Me too. In a good way. Thank you so much for a beautiful post.
Thank you all for your lovely comments. I am so touched by them all.
This post, far and away, received the most one-day views of all the post I have written. It was tweeted and re-tweeted many times on Twitter. And re-posted on several other blogs. What does that say to you?
To me, it says we need inspiration. We need validation. We need to be reminded that we are awesome, and that we are so much more than our diagnosis.
I am so happy that for one day my blog could do this for you. Thank you for letting me be the voice to remind you how amazing you are.
“You are much, much more than your illness.” Somedays I need to be reminded of that. Thank you!
Thanks for such a great post.. I like others need to be reminded once in a while that I am NOT my illness!! Keep up the great work and congrats on one year of blogging
Yes your words were very inspirational! I wanted to share with everyone, if I may, a resource for those that are in need of career opportunities. I’m suffering with a chronic disability that caused me to lose my job. I started working for a company specializing in part time home based work for those who are disabled. I wanted to share their information in case it applies to any of the readers.
The J.Lodge Corporation, a quality call services company, has sustained profitability since 1999 and accredits its success solely to its unique employee model that consists of disabled business Americans. J.Lodge is striving to provide work from home part-time careers for disabled Americans. Currently, J.Lodge is expanding and accepting applications for those individuals who are interested in our company and who qualify for our positions. If anyone is interested, please visit: http://www.jlodge.com/careers and apply online. Thanks, Allison
Allison, thanks for this information. I will look into it and possibly share it in a new post. Glad you were able to find work that you can manage with your disability. I hope this helps others do the same.
Please do! We need to reach as many people as we can and remind them how awesome we all are.
Thanks Hege. I appreciate your comment and your wanting to share.