Website Review: ButYouDontLookSick.com

Do you know someone, a friend or relative, who is chronically ill? Do you want to better understand what their life is like? Or perhaps you are the one who is chronically ill and need to contact someone who understands what you are going through. The website But You Don't Look Sick (www.butyoudontlooksick.com) was created by Christine Miserandino for people with disabilities, chronic pain, or invisible chronic illnesses/diseases. There are a surprising number of people who look healthy, but have debilitating physical ailments that keep them from doing what most folks take for granted. This website is for them, for they keep hearing the same comment from friends, family and strangers, "but you don't look sick."

The link I would recommend looking at first is the link to "The Spoon Theory," a powerful essay written by Christine Miserandino. In the essay she writes her explanation she made to a friend on how she manages her energy using spoons to demonstrate her point. It's a great essay for a chronically ill person to send to their healthy friends and family members to help them understand how the daily activities of life that they take for granted such as getting ready for the day is more like a 15 step battle plan each morning.

There are many other personal essays on the website written by various members of the site on varied topics of interest to chronically ill people and their loved ones. The many interesting articles found on this site may be on topics other than illness and being ill.
Members have also posted poetry, book reviews, recipes, articles on hobbies and crafts, product reviews, TV and movie reviews, website reviews, medical information and links, and there is a category called "Sick humor." All in all, a good read.

One of the best features is the free message board: you do need to register before you can post. There are a couple of categories for friends/family members and/or caregivers of someone who doesn't look sick: "Caregiver Support," "Family and Friends," and "Parents and Family Life." My personal favorite category is "Happy Hour," where you can go and talk about anything but health related issues. "Spiritual Support," is another favorite, I like receiving and giving positive support. Many of the message board categories are for different illnesses. Then there are topics like "Love, Dating, and Marriage," "Work Related,' "Having a Bad Day/Venting," and "Fun and Games." There are too many talk categories to list here, go check it out for yourself you will be happy you did.

There is an online store to purchase slogans on t-shirts, jerseys, sweatshirts, track suits, caps, cups, tote bags, buttons, magnets, stickers, calendars, greeting cards, pillows, teddy bears, aprons, journals, mouse pads, license plate frames, and even boxers and throng underwear. My personal favorite slogan is "Hug Me (I'm not contagious)" followed by "No, this is not all in my head."

This website is a wonderful resource for any one with a disability, whether it is an invisible illness or not. It has useful information, entertaining articles and a chat room where you get answers to your questions quickly by members in a kind and friendly manner.