The Unseen Realities of My Invisible Disability

Living with Fibromyalgia — Beyond the Diagnosis, Through the Dismissal, and Inside the Daily Fight to Be Seen, Heard, and Heal

Hi, I’m Rachael. I have lived with multiple chronic illnesses including (but not limited to) fibromyalgia, sleep disorders, MCAS, and SVT for the past two years, and while most people wouldn’t know it just by looking at me, these conditions impact nearly every part of my life.

Like many, especially young people, living with invisible disabilities like chronic illness, I’ve had to learn how to speak up for myself endlessly and fight for my voice to be heard when my battery is at 3%, and take rest even when it’s inconvenient or misunderstood. Managing my health has become its own kind of full-time job. It’s not easy and it’s not linear, but I will never give up on my dream of full healing. My illnesses have taught me how to slow down and live more gently, listen more closely, and find meaning in places I never thought to look.

“Every problem has a gift for you in its hands.”

— Richard Bach

*Some all time-favorites*
(Handicap Placard Chronicles: The Unexpected Bonus Prize)
“That thing must really come in handy!”
Almost makes the daily fatigue, pain, medical gaslighting, lost income, canceled plans, identity confusion, and full-time symptom management totally worth it.

Some all-time favorites:

“You seemed fine yesterday!”


Welcome to chronic illness: where yesterday proves absolutely nothing and you don’t know what you think you know.

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My life doesn’t have to look like anyone else’s to be worthy of gratitude.