What is a "hidden" illness?
Why this article?
These might be some questions that you are currently asking yourself. These questions require a cup of coffee and getting to know me more. However, this will dip your toes in the water a little to answer these questions.
"Hidden" illnesses are referred to as an illness that cannot be seen by simply looking at someone. There is not a way, on a normal day, without having the person tell you that they have one of these illnesses, to know that someone is sick. "What are some of these illnesses?" might be a thought that runs through your mind. These illnesses are things like dyslexia, diabetes, epilepsy, depression and many, many more. All of these have one thing in common and that is that they affect us in huge ways, but are not necessarily outwardly displayed.
To those with hidden illnesses:
There is so much that I want to tell you, but I'll do my best to keep this to the point. I am writing this by taking several days to process and ask God for the right words to tell you. However, first I want you to know why I am writing this, so here is a little bit about me. I come with a background that seemed great up until about six years ago. I was that girl in school growing up that got As. I did not struggle to achieve accomplishments in my education or extracurriculars very often as well. However, in the summer of 2010, right before my freshmen year of high school, we sold my house and that night forever changed my life. Why? Because that night I stayed up with excitement and in the middle of the night my parents found me on the landing of our stairs. I had gotten out of bed to go to the bathroom and would wake up to red flashing lights and a man talking to me. We would later find out I had my first Juvenile Myoclonic Grandmal Seizure. Epilepsy is my hidden illness.
I know that every person has something that they bear in life, an obstacle. Those of us that have any type of illness have a bump we get over everyday. What may be a simple task to some, many people with hidden illnesses struggle with everyday. Know that you are not alone and that these are not things to be ashamed of. I know that you might want to put up a guard to keep others from knowing that this, and is something that I struggle with and that it can seem easier to push it down. Know that when you want to bury these things that come from your hidden illness that burying them won't help. It is easier to do for sure though! For example, I cannot drink because of my epilepsy and did not realize that in college it would be such a tempting thing. At times I want to bury it and pretend its not there, but then I remind myself what happens if I do.
I want to encourage you to share what your "hidden" illness is and what it means for you to share it. There is a guard that we build up of comfort; so, I challenge you to push it away. It can be a hill to beat some days and all will not understand what that is. They think you should be "fine" and just move on. However, use that anger that it builds in you to overcome the day even more.
God loves you so much and will always be there to hold you. People might try to stop you and your hidden illness might feel that way sometimes. The song "The Lion and the Lamb" says this:
"He's roaring with power
And fighting our battles
For who can stop the Lord almighty?"
No one! No one, wow! No one can stop what love He has for you and the grace He relentlessly gives us. Know He always holds you, just as a friend can hold your hand.
Much Love,
Emily
P.S.: Thanks Hann for always reminding me of this.
