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

[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!