Can One Person Make A Difference? The Story Behind The Notes

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August 8, 2010 by admin  
Filed under Today's News, Announcements

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When Lisa Copen had 4 joints replaced in her left hand during the winter of 2009 she wore a scary looking outrigger splint for four months, 24 hours a day, that caught the attention of many people wherever she went. While some people awkwardly looked the other way, many approached her and started to share their stories.

Lisa quickly realized just how many people are inwardly suffering silently and then when they saw someone who they thought could relate with their pain, they opened up and were willing to share. Many conversations ended with a hug and sometimes a few tears. She had also talked with friends about how, when she saw someone with an invisible illness getting out of a car parked in a handicapped spot, part of her wanted to go over and just say “I understand” but she was afraid how they may respond. She discovered other people with invisible illness felt the same way!

Most people are not looking for large support groups or 100 percent understanding when it comes to living with a chronic illness. People in pain often times just want ONE person who really “gets it.” And that one person can make a world of difference.

As the founder of National Invisible Chronic Illness Awareness Week, which she began in 2002, she chose 2010 to be the year of “Each One Can Reach One.” Thousands of people around the world are participating by leaving encouraging sticky notes anywhere they think of, from bathroom mirrors and community bulletin boards, to inside of envelopes when they pay their bills.

With nearly 1 in 2 people in the USA living with a chronic condition such as diabetes, arthritis, cancer, or fibromyalgia, about 96% of illnesses are invisible. The hope of the people involved at National Invisible Chronic Illness Awareness Week is to remind people that although they may feel like they are alone in their pain, there are people who do care and understand the unspoken language of invisible illness.

It is easy to get involved. Grab a pen and some paper and share some encouragement in just a sentence! Add invisibleillness.com at the bottom so those who find the notes nowhere to discover more encouragement and get involved too!

National Invisible Chronic Illness Awareness Week is September 13-19, 2010. We hope you will join us in spreading hope to those who are hurting!

This event is sponsored by Rest Ministries, the largest Christian organization that specifically serves those with chronic illness, which Lisa founded in 1996.

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