Hi Josh, It can be extra difficult to cope with neuropathy when you have youth going along with it. Looking good is about all most people can perceive. Not being understood is a real struggle and a bummer. Isolation does not have to be the outcome. I make a point of finding some metaphor that the person can understand. And then relate my symptoms to this metaphor. I repeat it as often as possible to them. Sometimes calling your worst days by this metaphor is a potentially humorous way to remind others that, yes, you are still with the process. I personally get extremely aggravated when others forget or truly believe it should all go away like a bad case of the flu. It is good to practice clear responses, sometimes funny, sometimes more pointed, to have at the ready. Then know that it is not your job to teach others how to be empathetic. If "there is no cheese down that tunnel" look elsewhere. Keep trying, if it is a close family or friend, often going around the other persons resistances or blind spots and presenting in a startling way which wakes them up to the reality that you are not the same physically, yet you are in fundamental ways. Some people simply cannot handle your reality. It is sucky when you get to that point with someone and realize it costs you too much to maintain a connection. This makes it lonely until you find others who can relate.

Self empowerment comes slowly. Part of it is validating, caretaking your own pain as if you were a injured pet or child. We teach others how to treat us by how we treat and respect ourselves. Never give in to the insensitivity, or giving up option, whether from within or from outside. It serves no one and nothing but more unconscious suffering.

We live in an empathy challenged world. Read Prema Chodron, "When Things Fall Apart", or especially good is "Healing Through the Dark Emotions- The Wisdom of Grief Fear and Despair", by Miriam Greenspan. Another great help is Rachel Naomi Remens, "My Grandfather's Blessings" or "Kitchen Table Wisdom". I recommend MGB as most appropriate to coping with pain and illness. All of these are really great. Hope something inspires you to learn what many will not have to until they are far older. We need way showers of how to do this. You could be one of them for your generation. We often underestimate the subtle influences we have on the world by embracing our process with compassion. Best Wishes TT