Watch the video below of Susan Boyle singing "I Dreamed a Dream" and comment on the song or Ms. Boyle's amazing story of a dream come true. Do you relate to either of them?
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| Don't judge a situation you've never been in. - Mitchell Perry (Photo credit: deeplifequotes) |
Just by looking at me, you can not tell that I am disabled, have a neurological disease or fibromyalgia. I look healthy and physically able. Both of which I generally am not. Many probably don't understand why I do not go to many functions or participate in many activities. They most likely assume I am lazy or unreliable. That's a huge disadvantage for me because I am truly struggling to participate in life way more than my illnesses allow for me to. I am quite sure that many have thrown nasty looks my way when I use my disabled placard for my car. Even though I intentionally pay them no never mind, I limit it to days when I am really feeling bad because I don't care for the sneers and side-eyes from ignorant people. People judging other people is a harsh human trait that will always exist unfortunately. I have often wished that there was some visual occurrence of my disease so that people could see the true nature of what it does to my body. Yet, my illnesses are invisible therefore, my struggles with them are also to some extent.
Those who don't know me probably wouldn't guess that I am loving, humorous and compassionate based solely on my serious exterior. As an introvert, I feel most confident within the confines of my mind or with close family and friends. My social anxieties allow me to create a safe distance from others also, perpetuating that "mean" aura. It can seem like I am mad at the whole world. It may also be that I am experiencing a Migraine or many of it's unpleasant symptoms. You might look a little pissed off too if everything around you is a trigger and you wish you were in a bubble in order to avoid them. Instead of wearing my emotions on my sleeve, I wear them on my face. Whatever I am feeling or thinking shows up for everyone to see. But that isn't the true image of who I am. Many people count me out before getting to know me. That's okay though, because I'm not trying to make anyone like me. If you get to know me, you'll see that I'm a pretty cool chick.
Now, I know that my Migraine and chronic pain buddies online don't know what I'm talking about because they've only seen me (visually) through Facebook, Twitter or Instagram pictures in which I am usually smiling (unless it's an intentional Migraine photo showing myself in the middle of an attack). They have gotten the opportunity to get to know me without the often misplacement of judgement from visual first impressions. I am grateful for that in many ways, because I am very transparent about myself, my flaws and my journey. In that way, you get a truer representation of myself as a person. There's no need to go through the, "I first thought you were snotty or a bitch because you look mean all the time." nonsense. In any case, I am not in the business of seeking out new friendships. So the ones that show up in my life I am most grateful for because they were placed there for a reason (or a season in some cases).
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