An invisible disease
Dear Editor:
I can’t count how many times after being diagnosed with a chronic auto-immune disease that people have discounted my illness by stating simply that, “You don’t look sick.”
It may be true that I am not bound by a wheelchair, use assistive devices or have any visible signs of injury or illness, but inside my body is at war with itself. My immune system is attacking healthy cells, and the inflammation is only getting worse as time goes on.
But I don’t look sick, that’s what’s deceiving. I spend every hour of every day in pain. I am always tired.
When I catch the bus to school, I always hope that there is a seat for me, just to help ease the pain of standing and the fatigue associated with it. Many times there is not an empty seat. The accessible seats are usually occupied by what I consider to be healthy people, but again, they could be in as much distress as me, but I can’t tell. The signs for the accessible seats show instances of visible illnesses; for example, broken bones, a wheelchair and cane walkers.
But I would argue that these seats should also be reserved for people like me who have invisible illnesses, ones you can’t see, but are hidden. So please, leave a seat on the bus for those who need it, not just those who you can see need it.
Annie
Editorial opinions or comments expressed in this online edition of Interrobang newspaper reflect the views of the writer and are not those of the Interrobang or the Fanshawe Student Union. The Interrobang is published weekly by the Fanshawe Student Union at 1001 Fanshawe College Blvd., P.O. Box 7005, London, Ontario, N5Y 5R6 and distributed through the Fanshawe College community. Letters to the editor are welcome. All letters are subject to editing and should be emailed. All letters must be accompanied by contact information. Letters can also be submitted online by clicking here.
I can’t count how many times after being diagnosed with a chronic auto-immune disease that people have discounted my illness by stating simply that, “You don’t look sick.”
It may be true that I am not bound by a wheelchair, use assistive devices or have any visible signs of injury or illness, but inside my body is at war with itself. My immune system is attacking healthy cells, and the inflammation is only getting worse as time goes on.
But I don’t look sick, that’s what’s deceiving. I spend every hour of every day in pain. I am always tired.
When I catch the bus to school, I always hope that there is a seat for me, just to help ease the pain of standing and the fatigue associated with it. Many times there is not an empty seat. The accessible seats are usually occupied by what I consider to be healthy people, but again, they could be in as much distress as me, but I can’t tell. The signs for the accessible seats show instances of visible illnesses; for example, broken bones, a wheelchair and cane walkers.
But I would argue that these seats should also be reserved for people like me who have invisible illnesses, ones you can’t see, but are hidden. So please, leave a seat on the bus for those who need it, not just those who you can see need it.
Annie
Editorial opinions or comments expressed in this online edition of Interrobang newspaper reflect the views of the writer and are not those of the Interrobang or the Fanshawe Student Union. The Interrobang is published weekly by the Fanshawe Student Union at 1001 Fanshawe College Blvd., P.O. Box 7005, London, Ontario, N5Y 5R6 and distributed through the Fanshawe College community. Letters to the editor are welcome. All letters are subject to editing and should be emailed. All letters must be accompanied by contact information. Letters can also be submitted online by clicking here.
