Invisible Chronic Illness Awareness Week Begins Today

It's Invisible Chronic Illness Awareness Week. For more information, visit http://invisibleillnessweek.com/ .

30 Things About My Invisible Illness You May Not Know

1. The illness I live with is: Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (LUPUS)

2. I was diagnosed with it in the year: 2004

3. But I had symptoms since: 1994

4. The biggest adjustment I’ve had to make is: realizing that my body is breaking down and I need to constantly adjust because of it.

5. Most people assume: I'm lazy and just not trying hard enough.

6. The hardest part about mornings are: Getting my body moving through the stiffness and pain.

7. My favorite medical TV show is: I don't watch a lot of tv.

8. A gadget I couldn’t live without is: My computer, it links me to others who understand.

9. The hardest part about nights are: Being exhausted at the end of the day and still needing to be plugged in so that my children don't suffer.

10. Each day I take __ pills & vitamins. (No comments, please) 10 on a good day

11. Regarding alternative treatments I: I try to use a lot of natural supplements.

12. If I had to choose between an invisible illness or visible I would choose: VISIBLE, it sucks to be sick and not look sick. People just don't tend to understand.

13. Regarding working and career: There are days that I can barely move, but as a single mom, I have to keep going.

14. People would be surprised to know: I think that having the right to end my life when my children are grown and when I deem the pain too unbearable is really important.

15. The hardest thing to accept about my new reality has been: The opinions of others and the fact that this will probably be the death of me.

16. Something I never thought I could do with my illness that I did was: It hasn't stopped me at all yet, I just have to think it through so that it doesn't do more damage.

17. The commercials about my illness: What commercials. This is an illness that effects 1.5 million people. There have been no new drugs in 50 years.

18. Something I really miss doing since I was diagnosed is: When I want to do something, just picking up and going.

19. It was really hard to have to give up: Being in the sunshine whenever I wanted. Sunscreen, check. Hat, check.

20. A new hobby I have taken up since my diagnosis is: Who has time for hobbies?

21. If I could have one day of feeling normal again I would: Spend the whole day in the sunshine with my children.

22. My illness has taught me: That everyone has a story. Everyone struggles with something seen or unseen and that everyone needs compassion.

23. Want to know a secret? One thing people say that gets under my skin is: What do you mean you are tired, you haven't done anything in days.

24. But I love it when people: Are patient

25. My favorite motto, scripture, quote that gets me through tough times is: Courage isn't always the roaring lion, sometimes it's the still small voice that says, "I will try again tomorrow".

26. When someone is diagnosed I’d like to tell them: Your life isn't over. It's just changing.

27. Something that has surprised me about living with an illness is: How it has changed my thinking and taken me out of my box.

28. The nicest thing someone did for me when I wasn’t feeling well was: Brought my family dinner just because, they didn't even know I was having a hard time. I don't have a support system, so any little thing is so appreciated.

29. I’m involved with Invisible Illness Week because: When people can't see that there is something wrong, they don't understand. People need to understand.

30. The fact that you read this list makes me feel: Really, really good.