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]

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

[neurotic-one.livejournal.com]

you guys look young in that pic.

[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

[full4zaccordion.livejournal.com]

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

[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?"