But They Look So Good!
The Paradox of Looking Good,
but Feeling Bad
© 2002 – 2014 Invisible Disabilities Association. This pamphlet is an excerpt from the booklet, ButYou LOOK Good!
Surprisingly, more than 125 million Americans have at least one chronic condition and nearly half have more than one. An illness or injury is considered chronic, when it lasts a year or longer, limits activity and may require ongoing care.
Not everyone with a chronic condition has the same symptoms or degree of symptoms. Some have mild complications and with a little adjustment in their diets or schedules, they can lead a pretty “normal” life. Some have to make bigger changes, sacrificing various activities or their work situations in order to contend with their conditions. Others become so ill they are unable to work at all and struggle just to meet life’s daily needs.
Just about every one of us has experienced being so sick we had to stay home from work or school, because we were too sick to go. We hate being sick, because the time ticks by, the work piles up and we cannot do anything about it. We gripe and moan that we “don’t have time to be sick!” even for just a day. It is just plain miserable to be sick, in pain and debilitated – nobody enjoys it.
Often when we come across someone who says they have been sick and in pain for a long time, we might think they are either exaggerating or they are not doing something about it. After all, when we got sick, we got some rest, took some medication and were soon back on our feet. Moreover, when we were sick, we were pale and droopy, but they often look “perfectly normal.”
The truth is, most chronic conditions cannot be seen with the naked eye, but nevertheless are persistently keeping the person from enjoying life the way they once knew. For instance, a person can battle extreme fatigue and/or cognitive impairments on the inside, even though they may appear healthy and well on the outside. Just the same, a person can have horrible pain and/or dizziness, despite the fact that to the onlooker they may look strong and able.
The biggest grievance those with chronic conditions have is that their loved ones often do not believe what they are going through is real, because to others they “look good.” Sadly, this makes the person feel as if they are being called a liar or a wimp. This can cause great strains on relationships between friends, family members and spouses. Ironically, those with chronic conditions would like nothing more than to gain complete control of their lives and not have to adjust to any limitations at all! Nonetheless, their bodies do not always cooperate with their desires, no matter how much they want it to.
Regrettably, a travesty occurs when the person not only has to contend with no longer being able to do what they love to do, but also has to battle for their loved one’s belief, respect and understanding. While the person with the illness/pain is mourning their loss of ability and freedom, others often accuse them of just being lazy or malingering.
We must resist the temptation to make a visual diagnosis by coming to the conclusion that our loved one must be embellishing their situation or trying to pull the wool over our eyes, because to us they “look fine.” After all, when we rebut what they are telling us with, “But you LOOK good,” our friend really hears, “But, I don’t believe you, because I can’t see it.”
Frankly, it is impossible for us to be compassionate, until we have acknowledged there is a situation for which to be compassionate! In other words, how can we say, “I am sorry you are sick,” when we are always saying, “I do not believe you are sick, because you don’t look sick?”
People living with chronic conditions do not want to give up! They make efforts to laugh, smile, look their best and enjoy life, even though they know they will pay dearly for it. Because of this, we should not confuse their endeavors to live life and be positive, with assuming they are feeling well or doing better. Instead, let us commend them for their incredible courage, perseverance and persistence that make their illnesses and injuries seem invisible to us.
© 2002 – 2013 Invisible Disabilities Association
This pamphlet is an excerpt from the booklet, But You LOOK Good!
Summer Birthdays are a blast! This time around we had the grill roaring and the food filling up our tummies! Thank you to those who came for a great day celebrating together!
Jenna Schrumpf, our Marketing Director, will be covering the booth at the golf outing today! Make sure to stop by and say hello to her. We are raffling off some great prizes as well!
Dobson Healthcare spent the day with some of our favorite Adjusters and Home Care Associates at Swan Valley Golf Course on July 11th. The day was a blast! Thank you to those who had fun with our silly props for a photo shoot! We appreciate all of your and your commitment to providing the best possible outcomes for our mutual clients.
What a gorgeous day at Iron’s Park in West Branch! We were blessed to have a fantastic turnout with a great crew! Thank you!
What a gorgeous day for the Origami Brain Injury Rehabilitation‘s Symposium at Eagle Eye! Come stop by the booth for your chance to win a fantastic goody basket filled with yummy things from Harry & David!
Marcie Coffell, Northern Regional Coordinator, is waiting for you! Come find out about the exciting opportunities at Dobson we have for you today!
Irina and Amanda spent a great day recruiting for Dobson Healthcare at Baker College of Owosso the other day! We love going to different college campuses and learning from the new graduates about their experiences while in clinical s. These new graduates are the future of our company and we look forward to having them join us for long careers.
