Funny, you don't look ...

[hiddenmuse]

As someone whose chronic conditions are largely internal - except for the rare moments that they like to rear their ugly heads - I do hear that statement a lot.

What is someone with high blood pressure "supposed to" look like?

What is a person living with severe depression "supposed to" look like?

What is an asthmatic "supposed to" look like?

What is an epileptic "supposed to" look like?


Should I be *harrumphing* around town under the burden of the occasionally overwhelming despondency?

Should I be wearing a crash helmet and a padded bodysuit in case I have a seizure?

Should I be weak and vulnerable, like Mikey Walsh in The Goonies because I have asthma?

Should I be 65 years old with blue hair and arthritis before I deal with the bad genetic hand of high blood pressure?




If you haven't guessed - that's me on the right, and Kellie on the left. :-)

Comments

[azraelsdaisy.livejournal.com]

That's funny. You don't *look* like you're wearing a padded suit and a helmet... maybe that's because you're different like everyone else is and that makes you normal.

I can't believe people would say stuff like that. I've had people tell me that I'm not bipolar because I don't "act crazy."

[mom-o-cass.livejournal.com]

oh my gosh, i love your last line. i get that so often.
"Funny, you don't *look* crazy!"
i'm glad to hear that from a fellow bipolar.

[azraelsdaisy.livejournal.com]

Oh yeah, I hear that all the time. "But you seem so *together*"

[hiddenmuse.livejournal.com]

No kidding!

Are we supposed to look a certain way or something? If so, why wasn't I notified of this 20 years ago? I could've gotten the Special Epileptics Uniform and all! ;)

Maybe I could get some kind of discount for wearing a badge that designates me as a crazy person...

[azraelsdaisy.livejournal.com]

A special menu at restaurants kind of like the Senior menu!

[hiddenmuse.livejournal.com]

*snort* I'm almost afraid to even think of what that menu would offer! ;)

[azraelsdaisy.livejournal.com]

Ice cream cones with sanded bottoms so you don't poke your eye out? Maybe pre-cut steak?

I don't know about you, but I don't want anyone else cutting up my food. That's just.... creepy.

[mom-o-cass.livejournal.com]

you two are so lovely. i wish i could hug you both.

your post reminds me so much of this essay.
http://butyoudontlooksick.com/spoons.htm


love,
jenne

[hiddenmuse.livejournal.com]

I'd read that essay - you'd shared it with me in the 13_steps blog, actually! :-)

It makes a lot of sense, too - some days are easier than others. And, most times, those of us with illnesses or disabilities, don't *look like* we have those conditions. It usually only comes up when I discuss it openly, or if it's part of a conversation about something else.

[mom-o-cass.livejournal.com]

sorry to give you a re=peat!
sometimes i forget things like that.

[hiddenmuse.livejournal.com]

No worries, m'dear - it happens! :-)

[neurotic-one.livejournal.com]

you guys look young in that pic.

[hiddenmuse.livejournal.com]

Thank you! I know Kellie would be happy to hear that - she's been a bit of a mess over turning 30 this year. :)

[neurotic-one.livejournal.com]

aw... No way does she look 30.

[hiddenmuse.livejournal.com]

Well, the Big 3-0 isn't until November, but I agree, she does look a few years younger than she is in that picture!

And I just have really bad hair - from wearing it in a handkerchief all day!

[neurotic-one.livejournal.com]

haha, nah, it looks all funky. I wish I could get my hair to do that! Mine's limp city.

[sigmaration.livejournal.com]

thank yew verry much.

Actually, my neuroses over turning 30 has very little to do with how I look. Well, I guess it kind of does. But more about the abuse I've given my skin and less about overall appearances.

I've been told I do look younger than my age, and I sorta can't decide if that's a blessing or a curse. I think at this stage, it's a little of both.

[neurotic-one.livejournal.com]

yeah, it's the yin and the yang. I look a lot younger than my age too but I'm told I'll love it when I turn 40. Gah! Which is only 11 years away!

[http://users.livejournal.com/_recoil/]

thats an ad i would pay attention to

and btw tell the old lady to add me back to her friends list before i take my grade A genetics elsewhere
GOSH

[hiddenmuse.livejournal.com]

I will do that, sweetie darling. *smooches*

And even if she doesn't want to have cute Pagan Babies with you - I would. ;)

[http://users.livejournal.com/_recoil/]

gorgeous!

[sigmaration.livejournal.com]

jesus christ, you change userid's more often than I change panties

[full4zaccordion.livejournal.com]

Awwww! You guys are so cute! And I <333 your hair, Carly!

[hiddenmuse.livejournal.com]

Thank you muchly, Miz Linz! :-)

[screwthedaisies.livejournal.com]

Yay! I love seeing pictures of people I've met online.

I can kind of relate to the comments. I have anxiety disorder, and it never fails when I decide to come clean with whoever's around that I'm in the middle of an anxiety attack: "What are you so anxious about?"

[hiddenmuse.livejournal.com]

The comments you'd hear about your anxiety attacks are exactly the sort of thing I'd encounter - and/or was afraid of hearing - when I started coming clean about my depression.

I didn't want to hear people say, "oh cheer up!" or, "why so sad?" when even I couldn't explain why I'd felt so miserable.