Reflections on Invisible Illness Awareness Week

Invisible Illness Awareness Week is nearly over. I am sitting at the computer reading through some of the many the blogs, articles, comments and more that people have been posting on their experiences facing a world who does not understand their pain.

Wow.

Truly. . . wow.

You have been refreshingly honest, yet hopeful.
You have shared your pain, but kept it in perspective.
You have shared your hurt feelings, but without bitterness.

I am in awe of all of you who have shared your hearts. . . and your hopes.

Here are a few of the things that I have read that touched me deeply.

• I get so depressed when people just don’t get why I don’t or can’t do things they are so unaware of the pain and exhaustion. So, I just have been trying to get the message out there [about Invisible Illness Awareness Week]!
• Between work, pain, fatigue and friends I’ve become rather isolated because of it all. But taking it just one day at a time.
• I have to take so many medicines, and I am so just so tired of the whole thing – that is until I read this article. After I wiped away the tears, I began to realize that I have to start to really ‘live’ with the fact that I will have to take some of the medications for the rest of my life – and that’s ok.
• I attempted suicide in 2004 because the burden of pain and emotional distress was too much for me to continue battling. It was an eye-opening experience where I learned that I had to live for my three children. They were the reason that I decided to call my husband and tell him what I had done. And it’s still because of them that I continue to push through day after day of pain. God spoke to me that night and said to me, “You have three babies downstairs.” That voice was so loud and clear and distinctly not mine. I knew it was Him telling me to live for them. So I did.

You may not be surprised about the pain that people feel, but I also hear so much hope.

You have shared things like. . .

• So I’m here to encourage all of you to live. There can be joyous moments in between the pain.
• The point is, think of things that you are capable of doing, that you really enjoy, and do them! Don’t let your pain take over your life! Your pain does not define you
• Coping with a crisis is and probably always will be hard. But with a better idea of what helps me push through I have more confidence in my ability to survive just about anything. You can do the same by coming up with an approach that suits your needs and tendencies before you need to cope with your next crisis.
• I shared the hurt I felt and explained how I did not want to feel pitied or be a burden. My family and friends reached out and I opened my heart and let them in. Something happened, something magical that brought us each closer to one another.

It is so easy for illness to cut the confidence, attack our personality, and end relationships. Each of you have said in some way, “I can accept this illness without allowing it to define me.”

This year’s theme has been “Deep Breath, Start Fresh,” and throughout the posts and the comments, you have put this theme into eloquent words that express this in beautiful ways.

My deepest thanks for all the ways you have helped those with invisible chronic illnesses and hidden pain this week. You have stepped forward, crossed the comfort zone, and shared your heart and your hope and you have made a significance difference.

Lisa Copen is the founder of Rest Ministries and she lives in San Diego with her husband and son. She is gradually learning how to balance motherhood, family, illness, and ministry, but she still knows it will be a lifetime lesson. You can see the books she has written, including, Why Can’t I Make People Understand? at the Rest Ministries shop.

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