5 Advantages of Having a Hidden Disability that We Forget About

So often we only see the drawbacks to living with a chronic illness that is not visible. But as my own illness, rheumatoid arthritis, progresses, I can see the benefits of being able to hide your illness or choose to reveal it based on the circumstances or your own desires.

I don't notice the changes in my feet or hands very often unless I catch a glimpse of my reflection in a mirror as I brush my teeth or try on clothes in a store's dressing room. I've heard a few children say, as they looked under the dividers of a dressing room, "Mom, what is wrong with her toes? Look at her feet!" There are times I wonder how anyone could look at my hands and not wonder what is wrong with them.

In the documentary about Farrah Fawcett's journey with cancer, her son made a comment like, "I know she will be okay. She just looks so good." Those of us with invisible illnesses were likely yelling at the television because we too have heard, "But you don't look sick." But it was true. There were days when she did look like the blond bombshell we all remember from the posters. But there were many other days when she looked like someone fighting for her life.

There is no doubt it can be frustrating to look healthy when you are feeling like you have the flue times ten. And yet, if we were to really be honest, do we want to look as bad as we actually feel? There truly are some benefits to having a disease that isn't immediately noticed by everyone you come into contact with. Lets take a second look at a few of those perks.

[1] You get to choose who to reveal your illness to and who not to. Some people you may immediately confide in; others you may wait and see if they feel "safe." Some people you may never tell about your illness.

[2] You don't receive advice about how to treat your illness. Since it's invisible you don't have to listen to people sharing about the experience of their aunt's mother's neighbor who had that same disease and how she cured it herself. If you make the choice to tell someone, especially a stranger, than you are opening yourself up to a can of worms, but it's still your choice.

[3] You can have a career without word spreading through the grapevine that you have a chronic illness that may eventually get in the way of you doing your job. You can avoid the preconceptions people may have about what your illness is and how it will impact your work. You can reveal it to who you want, when you want, as long as you are able to do you job. You may, in fact, never tell anyone.

[4] You aren't on the receiving end of pity or sympathy stares. People who use assistive devices like a cane or wheelchair, or who have a visible illness, must learn to not care what other people (both friends and strangers) may think when they see them shaking, or struggling to walk.

[5] You can fake it! If you want to just forget your illness and go out for a night with friends, no one has to know how much medication you took just to be able to go out. You don't have to explain why you aren't dancing. It can seem like your life is constantly controlled by your illness, but ultimately, you still can choose to put on some fun clothes pretend to be healthy and carefree for a few hours.

Living with an invisible illness, or what some call a hidden or invisible disability, can have plenty of negative aspects and this article does not attempt to belittle them. However, to truly live life to the fullest, we must count our blessings.

Some view the fact that they look better than they feel as a curse. Some see it as a miracle. Despite how unwell we may feel, it's worth acknowledging that it can be a blessing in our life if we choose to accept it.

Lisa Copen is the founder of Invisible Illness Awareness Week held each year in Sept and featuring a 5-day virtual conference online. Follow II Week on Twitter for cool prizes and info. Blog about invisible illness on your site, be a featured guest blogger, meet others, read articles and lots more. Make a impact today!