MY INVISIBLE PROJECT.

Hallo Halloooooo…. It’s been a while since I was last on here. I hope you have all been keeping safe and well.

I have decided to participate in the #MyInvisibleProject (which focuses on making people aware of symptoms and conditions which may not be visible to other people) to highlight invisible illnesses. It also aims to make people aware that our conditions affect everybody differently, so our own experiences are very important! Chronic illness isn’t always obvious. We look “normal” but struggle with symptoms that you would never know about if you didn’t know us.

I experience so many symptoms every single day which people can’t see and I’ve tried to put as many as I can on this photo. Judgment passed based on how we look is infuriating. Dealing with statements such as “you look so well” or “you’re too young to be sick” or “it’s all in your head” because people do not understand what I experience every single day really undermines what I go through. I didn’t choose to go through these illnesses, it’s just something that unfortunately happened, but I am doing the best I can do and choosing to live life as best as possible.

It’s so important that I get as many people as I can to understand chronic illnesses, so I don’t have to keep going through this constant battle of getting people to understand our lives and conditions. Just because you can’t see what I am suffering from, doesn’t mean it’s not there. Many will struggle to see my pain, to see the fatigue, to see the brain fog, to see the depression, to see the endless migraines, and so on. I don’t feel upset, ashamed or “less than” talking about my symptoms, instead I feel proud that I am able to get through each day despite them all.

So please, always keep in mind, not all disabilities are visible, always be kind, be considerate, be empathetic, hold your judgment and show love. Everyone is battling something. But you can’t tell that from looking at me. I look normal. I smile and I laugh. But I still might need to take a seat from an elder, or need help from people. Or cancel plans even though I seem fine.

Going through multiple chronic illnesses is THE toughest thing I’ve ever had to deal with. Even harder, getting many to understand that it is an illness that’s difficult to see. The chronic illness community is a special one, you are all truly beautiful, inspiring people. Remember you are deeply loved and cared for by so many people, your story matters and most importantly, YOU matter. Keep on keeping on, we are in this together.

#MakingTheInvisibleVisible