Invisible Illness

We may all look the same

But know you never will

What somebody is going through

When somebody is ill.

Unless we wear a badge

And try to make a scene

Just so people know

So, my disability could be seen.

There are so many different invisible illnesses and disabilities that people are unaware of and if they are aware of them, they do not know very much about them. When I meet someone and they find out I have epilepsy their response is “oh, I never knew you have epilepsy” or “you don’t look like you have epilepsy” I think “shall I wear a banner that says I HAVE EPILEPSY on it and please tell me what someone with epilepsy looks like?” Then occasionally you get the know it all but knows nothing pipes up with the cure to epilepsy and when you tell said person that there is no cure, they tell you “if you do the Keto diet, sleep, drink water, run ten times a day and pray you will be cured” Ok mate, if you say so.

I know that people will not know straight away but what would be nice is that people do not judge when they find out or change their attitude towards you because you are the same person you were before you told them. Also, when our illness is in full force, when we are having a bad day and cannot get out of bed, find the energy to reply to messages or are in too much pain or our illnesses are in having the time of its life on that day please have patience. Please learn and understand that sometimes this happens and having a negative attitude or getting angry and annoyed at the person makes it much worse for them.

Having epilepsy there are a few things that happen which are beyond my control, but people seem to get frustrated which is very upsetting for me. Epilepsy is isolating but when people do not understand it makes it so much harder and you withdraw yourself away from people because you don’t want to burden them or be a nuisance. If I forget things know that it is not done one purpose, if it takes me a while to process information, please do not rush me, interrupt me or put me down because my brain is different to yours. If I am tired leave me because it is hard battling something all day and all night. All you need to do is stay calm and be patient or even make it a joke “do you want me to jumpstart your brain?” or something along those lines.

This is the same when you see something happening in the street that you have nothing to do with. Do not judge.

When you see the child screaming

And the mum looks distressed

Please do not turn your nose up

And show you’re not impressed.

If someone has had a seizure

And is laid there on the floor

Please just call the ambulance

And don’t say that drugs are the cause.

If someone says they ‘re tired

Or that they’re in too much pain

Do not compare, just listen

Because your pain is not the same

If you always make assumptions

And think you know what’s right

Please know you have no idea

What we go through day and night

Do not think we’re being ignorant

Or think we’re being rude

Know that we are struggling

And we’re just about getting through

Everyone is fighting a battle

And not one of them is the same

We are not bad people

The illness is to blame

We try we try we try

Yet sometimes we’re too weak

We find it hard to get up

And sometimes cannot speak

So think before you judge

Educate so that you know

Sometimes the wars people are fighting

Are not always on show

You never know what battles people are fighting so please be kind to all.

Thank you for taking the time to read this article. I hope I am raising awareness and giving insight and understanding into invisible illnesses and epilepsy which is my little gem of invisible illnesses. If you liked what you have read, please leave a tip to help support me on my journey of raising awareness.

Take care.

Much love xxx