When I stepped into the crosswalk, I had no way of knowing that my life would never be the same…
Although I landed on my feet, a distinctly different life is inevitable after a 2 ton vehicle crashes into you. The impact threw me six feet in the air. Even now, after 5 years, 50+ specialists, 100+ medical tests, 500+ appointments, countless pills and failed treatments, being poked and prodded like a lab rat, I still carry the same pain that began that day. One thousand eight hundred twenty-five days of pain… so far. That’s just one of the consequences of a single moment of impact. The other consequences came later, from medical “care” and treatments.
From the outside, you’d think I was a picture of health. One look at my medical records tells a different story and one moment spent in my body would give you an entirely different picture. Most of my injuries and illnesses are “invisible” and that changes everything about diagnosis, treatment and recovery.
Ever since that fateful day, I have felt confused, abandoned, betrayed, alone… and invisible.
I never want anyone else to feel that way. And so, I’ve begun work on a new heart project, a project that a dear friend and mentor calls “soul important” work.
My husband, a professional filmmaker, and I have begun production on a feature-length documentary that tells the stories of people living with Invisible Illness. Whether it’s chronic pain, Crohn’s, Lyme, SIBO, PTSD, or any other illness not visible or obvious on the outside, our stories need to be shared. Stories of hope and resilience, courage and perseverance, and above all, a sense of community and belonging that is sorely needed. Not only stories from those suffering, but from the people supporting and healing those who live with invisible illness.
Want to see more? Check out these videos, images, and articles about Invisible Illness.