Life with Chronic Pain and Illness
Today’s Life with Chronic Pain and Illness reminder is an important one that people with chronic pain and illness likely know all too well: Looks Can Be Deceiving.
Sometimes it feels like a no-win situation: If you complain, you’re being negative. If you look good on the outside, you’re faking it. In reality, few people understand how tiring it is to act okay and to always be strong, when inside you know that you’re on the verge of falling apart. Trying not to beat yourself up in the mistaken belief that it’ll suddenly make you able to do the impossible.
This problem isn’t unique to those of us with chronic pain and illness. Everyone struggles with things no one else knows, usually while looking perfectly fine on the outside.
Some people believe a disability must be visible. However, many people live with “Invisible Disabilities” and experience debilitating pain, fatigue, dizziness, and weakness which seriously impact daily activities. It can be hard for someone to understand the concept of pain and illness being chronic. It’s unpredictable, and there is no “cure.” Therefore, it’s all to common for people to assume that chronic pain/illness warriors are lazy or unmotivated, which couldn’t be further from the truth. And “looking fine” makes it even more difficult to explain to others.
In truth, looks can be deceiving. Those who live with a chronic condition often look no different from anyone else, once again proving the validity of the old saying about never judging a book by its cover. Share on X
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Very well said.
Thank you.