Invisible Disabilities: view link

Those that don't suffer from an ID, don't understand, and lets face it, they CAN'T understand us. We can try to explain it, but until they have walked a mile in our shoes, so to speak, they will never know the devastation, that ID's wreak upon our lives.

For instance, i suffer from being bipolar, but am mostly familiar with the depressive side of it. When i go into a "manic" phase, and feeling "up", i have problems dealing with it. Others see me then as just a normal person, that is happy. They don't understand, that, for me at least, it ISN'T "normal".

I also suffer from chronic pain, mainly in my lower back, and in my hips. Both hips are artificial. Much of the time, i can put on a brave face in public, and can walk okay. But there are times, that i have to use a cane, or even a walker, to get around. My acquaintances don't understand how i can be fine one moment, and the next i have tears in my eyes, and using one of these devices. They don't/can't understand why i don't pick something up right away, if i should drop something, and i think they see me as uncaring, or unfeeling, or just plain lazy.

I'm also noticing that sometimes my hands "lock-up", which i'm pretty sure, is a sign of arthritis.

Also have heart problems, i've had a heart attack, and a quadruple bypass, several years ago. I feel tired alot, and get winded very easily. Others don't understand, as i look fairly healthy.

Sometimes i get very anxious, and have had several panic-attacks. More about panic attacks:
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I have to get away from people, very quickly. Others just don't seem to understand, and think i'm being rude, when i just "disappear".

I like to attend church services, but sometimes i am afraid to go, as i ride their van, that they send to pick people up. It is always full, and i am afraid that sometime i will have a severe panic attack. I always try to arrange to sit near the front, and by a door if at all possible. So far, it's all worked out, and i've been able to do those things, w/o having to explain why.

No, i'm NOT afraid of what they would think of me. I am afraid tho that i could hurt someone, 'cause i do get real "edgy". I guess this is what is considered to be claustrophobia.

The mind wants to do so much, that my body just doesn't let me do anymore.

I do try to keep a sense of humor about all these things.
I don't consider myself to be a "whiner", that's why most people don't have a clue as to what is going on inside of me.

Just consider these things tho, 'cause, maybe that "healthy-looking" person, that you are so frustrated with, at the moment, really isn't all that "healthy", after all.