Do you know what it’s like to live with an invisible illness or condition? As someone with AS and fibromyalgia, I know all too well the challenges that come with these conditions. Despite the pain and discomfort, however, I am still able to live a full and meaningful life.
In sharing my story with you, I hope to raise awareness about invisible illnesses and conditions. These are conditions that can’t be seen from the outside, but can have a significant impact on a person’s health and wellbeing.
Take AS, for example. Ankylosing spondylitis is a type of arthritis that primarily affects the spine, but can also cause pain and inflammation in other joints. It’s a chronic condition that can lead to significant disability if left untreated. Fibromyalgia, on the other hand, is a disorder that causes widespread pain and tenderness in the muscles and soft tissues, as well as fatigue and sleep disturbances.
Living with these conditions can be challenging, and it’s not always easy to explain to others what we’re going through. That’s why I’m sharing this picture with you. Can you see that one of my eyes is swollen? Can you tell that I have AS or fibromyalgia just by looking at me?
The truth is, you can’t. But that’s exactly the point. Just because someone appears healthy on the outside doesn’t mean they’re not struggling on the inside. And just because we may not “look sick” doesn’t mean our conditions aren’t real or deserving of recognition.
So today, I want to encourage you to learn more about invisible illnesses and conditions. Take the time to listen to those who are living with these conditions, and try to offer support and understanding wherever possible. By working together, we can help to raise awareness about these often-misunderstood conditions and improve the lives of those who are living with them.
Remember, we’re all in this together. Let’s continue to support each other and live the best lives we can, no matter what challenges we may face.
Adriana Carluccio Hasher 