Faking being OK when you’re physically not, is far harder than faking being sick. 

As someone diagnosed with Hydrocephalus and living with a brain injury, this is a sore point, obviously.

People don’t necessarily have to say they don’t believe your symptoms; their actions (or even inaction) speak loudly and clear enough.

Seeing beyond an invisible illness or injury, is a difficult one, I get it. 

How can you possibly comprehend something you cannot use any of your senses on?

If the roles were reversed, Lord forbid, I would probably be the same. However, at a minimum, I hope I’d know better. Empathy is in my DNA. I don’t shy away from it. I understand not everyone is comfortable with it either. That’s OK. However, I am not afraid to show the next person that I care, hence my awareness advocacy in this space.

But I digress…

Honestly, it’s a slap in the face of the person who must endure pain and discomfort, unbeknownst to those around them, while going about life in general, especially in order to survive. Literally and figuratively. 

I know what it’s like to “fly below the radar” and not let your colleagues or employer know the extent of what you’re going through. No matter how bad it got, I pushed through and still delivered my best. Every. Single. Day.

My work ethic dictates ALWAYS giving my best. Something that hasn’t changed in all these years. Those who have worked with me could probably attest to it, more so now that I’ve chosen to be open and transparent. Something I deemed too risky to do before. In hindsight; for good reason too!

Faking being OK when you’re physically not, is far harder than faking being sick. 

It’s hard enough dealing with the effects of the condition and injury. Adding your disbelief and disregard on top of it, is just shameful. 

So be kind, it literally costs nothing.

Personally, I dream of the day where we, as a society, stop excusing the fact that others can’t see our injury, pain or discomfort, as the reason for them not understanding. 

Just because you can’t see it, or relate, doesn’t mean your reaction is justified, especially if it is discriminatory, hurtful, ignorant or born out of the excuse above. 

It’s simple: If you can’t say anything nice, don’t say anything at all.

More importantly, when you know better, DO better. 

Empathy costs nothing. But, if you struggle to find this skill within yourself, a simple rule to remember: Treat others as you would like to be treated.