In "The Slow Death of Compassion for the Chronically Ill," Ken McKim makes several excellent points, about the lack of compassion towards those with chronic illness. It's not too long (30 minutes) and definitely worth watching and sharing, especially with those who question your illnesses, or … [Read more...]
Understanding Invisible Illness: Walking in Our Shoes
Before I got sick with fibromyalgia I had no understanding of invisible illness. I would look at some of the people I'd see using handicapped spaces or the electric carts at the grocery store and think "they don't really need that". I once had a discussion with my (then) husband about how … [Read more...]
An Open Letter to Healthy People (guest post)
Guest post from my amazing vlogger friend, Ken McKim. You may remember him from his video on the Death of Compassion for the Chronically Ill. Dear Healthy People, Have you ever called in sick to work? I'm sure you have. So, while you were home sick did you watch TV? Were … [Read more...]
The Many Shades of Hidden Illness
I have multiple hidden illnesses as do most of us. It seems much like Lays potato chips you can't have just one. My hidden illnesses include Fibromyalgia, TMJ, migraine, endometriosis, and thyroid disorder and IBS and probably one or two more that aren't coming to me at the moment. Chances are you … [Read more...]
“But You Don’t Look Sick!” – Understanding Invisible Illness
Living with a condition such as Lupus, Fibromyalgia or Rheumatoid Arthritis is horrible enough without also having to cope with the cynicism of people who cannot detect these illnesses and take the stance that you’re exaggerating the level of your suffering. This doesn’t just stem from the … [Read more...]
Invisible: The Film
Do you feel invisible? Are you ready for the world to see you? Megan Densmore is ready, and she and her team are looking for others who are ready to share their story of invisible chronic illness with the world. Megan was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia at the age of 13. She was told that she … [Read more...]
30 Things You May Not Know About My Invisible Illness
I've had this 30 Things meme started for months, and kept forgetting about it. I'm finally posting it as part of the September Headache Disorder blog carnival (hosted by The Daily Headache). Also, Sept 8-14 is Invisible Illness Week, another good reason to share this. 1. The illness(es) I live … [Read more...]
Dismissive Doctors and the Death of Compassion for Invisible Illness
Hey Doctor, remember me? I'm the one you dismissed. You said I was faking it or it was all in my head. Well, guess what... you were wrong. We've all been there at least once with a dismissive doctor and oh how we long to be able to go back to them the way that Dorothy did on Golden … [Read more...]
When You Hit Rock Bottom You Have Two Choices
The good thing about rock bottom is you have two options. You can lie in the filth you created and quit. That was never an option for me. The other: there is only one way out, and that is up! - cdmitchell, the stories behind the stories. This quote struck home for me. I've been there - at rock … [Read more...]
What is a Spoonie?
What is a spoonie? A question that comes up pretty often on Twitter is "What is a Spoonie". We often used the hashtag #spoonie in our posts or refer to ourselves as Spoonies, and those who are new to the term don't understand why. What is the definition of a spoonie? And, where does that term … [Read more...]
