Invisible Illness Awareness Week - 8th to the 14th September

Hi all,

This week, the 8^th to the 14^th September 2014, is Invisible Illness Awareness Week. 

So what is an invisible illness you ask?

Although many people look well from the outside, often smiling and appearing to keep up the appearances of a normal life, on the inside they may be fighting a daily battle just to get through that day. Recently we were once again made aware of the fight people go through with Depression with the sad loss of the great Robin Williams.

So we all can picture the clown with the painted smiling face, whilst all along hiding his depression behind a mask, but what are the other Invisible Illnesses? 

Here's a list of just some of them...

Allergies and Food In-tolerances

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Cancer

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic Migraines

Fibromyalgia and Chronic Myofascial Pain

Depression and Mental Illness

Diabetes and other Blood Sugar Issues

Digestive Disorders (such as; IBS, colitis, Celiac, etc.)

Heart Conditions

Infertility

Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension

Lupus

Lyme Disease

Multiple Sclerosis

Neurological Diseases

Sjogren’s Syndrome

So what’s it like to live with a hidden illness?

While doing some research I came across this article, it’s where a woman’s friend persists in asking her what it’s like to have Lupus? – I mean how can you answer such a question, but in the end she does it in such a way that is absolutely brilliant, and this has now become known as The Spoon Theory. And although it is primary about Lupus, it describes how most, if not all those who suffer with an Invisible Illness feel.  The Spoon Theory by Christine Miserandino

For more information about Invisible Illness Awareness, tips, advice, help, and a fantastic looking free eBook 263 ways to do more than ‘just get by’ visit  Invisible Illness Awareness Week

One last thing that caught my eye, that I thought was very apt for this piece

All the best, 

and remember the absolute best and most powerful thing you can ever say to someone with a chronic or invisible illness is -   I believe you.

Daniel Kaye x