Invisible Illness Awareness Week

Invisible Illness Awareness

In honor of Invisible Illness Awareness Week, I have answered questions about myself to teach others about what they don’t see. Please feel free to copy and paste the template to answer the questions yourself. Please pass along my post to help spread awareness. Many people have a lot to learn, which is a quick list of things people may learn. I think you’ll be surprised who responds and those who suffer in silence.

30 Things About My Invisible Illness You May Not Know

1. The illness I live with is: Chronic migraine

2. I was not diagnosed until years after my first migraine.

3. I have had symptoms since: probably the day I was born or soon after that. I had my first migraine when I was 5, that I remember.

4. The most significant adjustment I’ve had to make is: to be prepared for it to hit at any moment, anywhere.

5. Most people assume: that it’s just a headache

6. The most challenging part about mornings is: waking up. I have a headache every day when I wake up and the direction of my pain level dictates my day

7. My favorite medical TV show is: Gray’s Anatomy

8. A gadget I couldn’t live without is: my phone

9. The most challenging part about nights is: going to sleep. I love to sleep to escape the pain, but my eyes flutter open, and it takes me a while to fall asleep.

10. Each day, I take the least amount of pills that I can & vitamins to survive.

11. Regarding alternative treatments, I will hopefully do as many as possible to cut back on meds. They help minimally, but I do whatever I can to help myself naturally.

12. If I had to choose between an invisible illness or a visible one, I would choose no disease. It is sometimes helpful to hide my pain, but it also leaves me vulnerable to judgment. So, I don’t know how it feels to have a visible disease, and I’m sure that just as many problems arise with it.

13. Regarding working and career: I was a special education teacher, and the stress made me miss many days and criticized me for having unique needs. I now stay at home with my children, which allows me flexibility but no breaks. I live, eat, sleep, and breathe my children; even if I’m crazy sick, they are still my responsibility.

14. People would be surprised to know: that I am chronically ill. I hide it well (the best I can), so my children and friends don’t worry about me.

15. The hardest thing to accept about my new reality has been: it’s not a new reality. I’ve lived with it my entire life but have never gotten used to it. It has changed as often as I have since I was 5, and it is constantly a trial and error to give me some normalcy.

16. Something I never thought I could do with my illness was go to college. I say this in hindsight because I was naive in thinking I would be fine when I left my family and doctors. I have read how so many people have had to drop out of school and how it affects their education. From hearing other stories, I am most grateful that I was able to be educated and enjoy college life at the level that I did.

17. The commercials about my illness: make me roll my eyes and give sarcastic comments.

18. Something I have missed doing since I was diagnosed is: being carefree. I don’t remember when I didn’t have migraines, and I live daily thinking and dealing with them. Not having to think about my chronic condition would allow me to live much differently.

19. It was hard to give up: drinking, food, nights out, events, etc. I miss out on a lot and even more if I’m not cautious

20. A new hobby I have taken up since my diagnosis is: blogging. I find it meaningful to help others and, in return, learn about myself and sort through what I’m dealing with.

21. If I could have one day of feeling normal again, thus it would look like this.

22. My illness has taught me: that I’m stronger than I think and that giving up is not an option

23. Want to know a secret? One thing people say that gets under my skin is: it can’t be that bad.

24. But I love it when people: say they enjoy my blog. I feel like I’m making a difference with positive feedback.

25. My favorite motto, scripture, and quote that gets me through tough times are: live like you are dying. I never know when I’ll be locked in my cold dark room and I do not take low-pain days for granted.

26. When someone is diagnosed, I’d like to tell them: I’m sorry. I’m genuinely sorry.

27. Something that has surprised me about living with an illness is how many aspects of my life it affects.

28. The most incredible thing someone did for me when I wasn’t feeling well was: a lot. I am surrounded by love and have an army of people who fight for me. I feel so sorry for people who are unsupported and alone with this already isolating disease. Love won’t cure me, but it has healed me.

29. I’m involved with Invisible Illness Week because: bringing awareness is essential.

30. The fact that you read this list makes me feel: unique. Additionally, There is a lot to read and do and the fact that you read about me is remarkable. Thank you for reading.

Invisible Illness Awareness

[UPDATED]

Invisible Project: Special Edition Migraine

Sign up for our newsletter

Sarah Rathsack

I tell stories of My Migraine Life. Living life through Migraine consists of advocacy, treatment, prevention, and searching for health and happiness in a positive honest way. My kids, husband, dog, family and friends motivate me to make a difference in the Migraine World.
Posted in

You Might Also Like:

Autism Speaks

Sunday Funday with Autism Speaks

Sunday Funday with Autism Awareness. My 10th year walking with my children to support all abilities and give tools needed to lead their best lives
Read More
migraine bracelet

Migraine Bracelet Giveaway

This week I will be doing a giveaway of a migraine bracelet. I’m giving away 2! The official color of Migraine and Headache Awareness Month is purple. These bands perfectly complement anything you wear and promote conversation and ways to spread awareness. Migraine and Headache Awareness Month 2017 How to win a Migraine Bracelet? Comment…
Read More
Exercise and Walking Benefits for Migraine

How Exercise, Walking and Moving Help-Migraine?

A place that gives me hope in nature is the woods. We have a great park system around where we live, and I love to take an afternoon hike. It’s a place I love and I am filled with hope. If you ever come to Cleveland and visit the Metro Parks, you won’t be disappointed.…
Read More

14 Comments

  1. leapingtracks on September 9, 2014 at 8:33 pm

    Thank you for sharing. You have inspired me to complete the list on my blog… 🙂



  2. mymigrainelife on September 9, 2014 at 9:45 pm

    I’m glad & look forward to reading it!



  3. Shannon Spellacy on September 10, 2014 at 1:16 am

    I’ve been enjoying reading your blog! It’s no shock, as you know, that meeting anyone on even a close playing field is like adding another player to our “team.” The migraine team isn’t something to brag about, but I sure love meeting anyone that shares this with me.



  4. mymigrainelife on September 10, 2014 at 1:34 am

    I agree. It’s a club I don’t want to be in but a place that I bond with people in a way that others don’t understand. Thanks for reading Shannon!



  5. Angel The Alien on September 10, 2014 at 2:21 am

    I have a degree in special ed teaching and I am trying to find a job, but my “special needs” have gotten in the way too… For instance, I was offered a really exciting teaching job, but I ended up turning it down at the last minute because my anxiety and depression flared up so badly. And now I am fine, at least for now, and I wish I had taken the job,,, but it is too late. 🙁



  6. mymigrainelife on September 10, 2014 at 10:58 am

    Did you read my post “broken wings?” It takes a special person to do what we do/did and being a migraine sufferer with it seems so difficult to find the right fit. I hope you find a great job that fits both you & your students. It’s a tough job & a tough disease but I know you’ll make a difference.



  7. Healthhunter on September 10, 2014 at 3:10 pm

    Thank you, thank you for articulating this so well. This is so similar to my life, except completing college and I was 8 when I had my first migraine. I wish you all the best.



  8. mymigrainelife on September 10, 2014 at 3:49 pm

    Thanks you! Please continue to follow me and comment. The feedback provides me incentive to continue to write & help people understand our lives.



  9. leapingtracks on September 10, 2014 at 6:25 pm

    🙂 I enjoyed doing it more than I expected and have had some lovely comments from my followers



  10. Debbie on September 13, 2014 at 2:30 am

    YOU ARE SPECIAL – don’t ever forget that 🙂

    Sent from my iPhone



  11. Bill Honaker on September 15, 2014 at 5:22 am

    This is very much my life. At 60, and nearing retirement, I hope the change will have a positive effect, there is always hope! I like the comment about wishing to be “carefree”. Oh, how I wish I could be.



  12. mymigrainelife on August 31, 2015 at 3:45 pm

    Reblogged this on My Migraine Life.



  13. Amy B. on September 18, 2015 at 3:55 pm

    Thank you for being open and sharing of your journey. I started getting abdominal migraines as a tween but they never could figure out what was wrong with me. Years later after my migraines turned into hemiplegic head ones and was diagnosed, I can put a name to something. Chronic hemiplegic migraines. It not fun and scary most of the time, however if I lived my life out of the next big one I would be a basket case. I can’t do that to my kids (unfortunately my daughter was diagnosed when she was 9 with migraines but controlled). So thank you for documenting your journey showing bravery and pure guts and strength to keep going. Even if it looks like nothing is wrong. ????



  14. mymigrainelife on September 18, 2015 at 4:30 pm

    Thank you so much. You have no idea how inspiring your words are to keep me motivated to continue my blog. I’m so happy it’s helping.



Leave a Comment





This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Weighted Blanket

Allay Lamp- Green Light Therapy

Headache Hat- Ice Hat

Heat Wrap

Avulux

Bed of Nails