“…but you don’t look sick!”

 

I struggle with my physical limitations but I also struggle with the new and unfamiliar mental strain.

The thoughtlessness behind this comment always reminds me of the demons lurking at the back of my mind:

 

How much does the disease actually affect me?

vs.

How much does stress or over-though affect me?

 

(These ideas will come up again in another series)

I am battling an invisible illness. Everyone bases their opinions, ideas, and plans of action on how I feel.

 

Maybe I cannot brush my teeth or pick up my pets because I am more stressed. After all, the mind is a very powerful tool.

But it is not powerful enough to create an entire disease, right?

An over-active imagination cannot allow my immune system to destroy the cartilage around my joints, right?

…Right?

 

And when people say this and suspend belief at their convenience, I realize no one sees what I am going through.

I feel alone.

I feel like a hypochondriac.

 

Part One conveys why this comment is not ok to say.

Part Three contains the silver lining.

 

Hi, my name is Monica and I have RA.