Just a quick post to let you know about two exciting (especially for we of the dodgy body brigade) events this week.
As most of you will know I have a disorder that although very disabling, leaves me looking as fresh as the morning dew (the water on the grass, not the sugar syrup disguised as soft drink), well except for the days when I am rocking a whiter shade of pale. Now, whilst I enjoy looking like Heidi Klum's identical twin this causes many problems, foremost being that many fail to believe you are ill and can at times be rude bastards about it. If only they could see me with "stroke face" as my delightful eldest calls it. But alas on those days I generally don't leave the house for fear of hearing fearful crowds screaming "avert thine eyes".
I'm not alone in this and there are many disorders which are classed as 'Invisible Illnesses". In light of this the Day of Visibility was created. Time to step out of the shadows and into the light and bring some awareness to the situation.
One of the support groups of which I am lucky to be a part, is also celebrating. The Dysautonomia Connection turns, 3. Happy birthday TDC. This is an organisation run for and by patients, to provide support and education for patients, their families and friends and the wider community. Help us celebrate!
Now this whole Invisible Illness thingie has been on my mind a bit over the past 4 years. Here are a few of my older posts addressing these issues.
How To Spot A Sick Chicken
Dysautonomia: Invisible Illness My Arse
My Life as Heidi Klum's Double
Remember sickness doesn't have a 'look'. Just because I look like a super model on the outside doesn't mean I don't look like the bastard offspring of the Elephant Man and the Bearded Lady on the inside.
Cheers
The Invisible Woman aka Michelle :)
I'm To Sexy, Right Said Fred (1991) for all the super model sickies.
I know what you mean!!! I wrote a post about this once, too... I said that comments like "You don't look sick" are insulting because the person saying that implies that you are faking it, imagining it, or that you aren't having a significant experience. Or that you should be thankful that you don't looks sick. Or that you couldn't be THAT sick and look THAT good. AAAAAH vent OVER.
ReplyDeleteAt the same time, I do like to look good sometimes when I don't feel well. I want to compensate for feeling sick by looking amazing. I don't quite know why that is... Do you do this sometimes too?
Please feel free to vent your frustrations to me! May the invisibly ill unite!
So enjoyed the utube Too sexy, though the guys pants were a bit high, I enjoy a little more 6 pack action LOL! Your blogs always make me smile thanks!
ReplyDeleteLoveable - yep. Somedays I have to put on the spack filler and the lippy, it just makes you feel better.
ReplyDeleteMichele - I know you secretly like the mesh t-shirt,(gag). LOL I'm with you on the 6pack thing. You just want to run your fingers over a good one :)
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TDC!!!!!....I love that invisible illnesses should "step into the light." You're so quotable Michelle! And I also love the video. Totally made my day. Yup...still loving it...giggle.
ReplyDeleteThe Lovely Celiac Diva - you know you'll be singing it all day and have nightmares about gyrating men in mesh shirts. "I'm a model, you know what I mean, and I do my little turn on the cat walk, on the cat walk" LOL
ReplyDeleteI know it's not exactly the same chicken, but I found it endlessly...not amusing exactly but just roll with me here...that I didn't actually lose all my hair and eyelashes until a week after my last chemo. So technically I looked my sickest when I was already on the road to recovery. May it never be said that the cosmos doesn't have a sense of humor. That bitch.
ReplyDeleteWell said, Heidi! Oops, I mean Rusty. I mean MICHELLE! :)
ReplyDeleteYou'll always be too sexy for your shirt, baby!
Elly Lou - the Cosmos is a Bitch! We need to take her out back and slap the stupid cow around for a bit.
ReplyDeleteVeg - Told you I had multiple personalities, just call me Sybil :)
yay for awareness and yay, yay, yay for looking like a supermodel regardless!!
ReplyDelete... lovin' the fact that you referred to the vegetable assassin as veg ;0)
Eternally - thanks for stopping by. It is hard looking like a super model but someone has to do it :)
ReplyDeleteMichelle,
ReplyDeleteThis is the first time I've read your blog. I too, have POTS/dysautonomia. I have been recently diagnosed (March this year). I decided to start a blog as well; just for an outlet for everything going through my head.
I absolutely love your fun personality. Thanks for making me smile. It seems like this illness has pulled my fun, outgoing personality right out of me. I'm glad you have found a way to cope with it all.
Robin
Robin - welcome, though I wish you had come via other means than a POTS diagnosis. Blogging has been a great venting place for me too, and the primary reason for starting this blog. Glad I could make you smile, it's taken me a while to get there, and to be honest I still have my sad days, but I'm trying to find the good in amongst all the bad, that's really all you can do. Good luck with your blog and feel free to stop by any time you need a dose of madness in your day :)
ReplyDelete