My mom used to say, a good cry is good for you! I remember my mom would tell me that having a good cry is good for your system. It feels good to come here and let it out.
Many of us were also taught that being a cry baby or a whiner is not acceptable. Being weak or complaining to others is not attractive, no one wants to hear about our problems day in and day out.
Frankly, I get tired of hearing myself complain about my problems day in and day out! We get tired of being in pain day in and day out!!!! Can you imagine how our family must feel trying to remember it all the time? Trying to adjust their lives around us all the time? It must be hard to make constant exceptions for us. I try to remember where their heads are at the time.
My kids are young... in their early 20's, and like Bob's son, have to be reminded that I'm sick... that my feet hurt, that I need extra rest... they just plain forget! Their brains don't think outside their own little gravitational pull! At work, I am afraid to complain, afraid that I will be passed over for the promotion or put on the lay off list because I'm not as strong or as fast as the others. I've been laid off because I'm not as productive as others.

We do have an invisible disease... one that we can take out or put away at our convenience. One that others can't see unless we want them to. It works both ways. We can choose to hide our disease, or we can choose to use it.

Here is my biggest fear... I don't want people to think I just pull it out when it's convenient! I don't want people to think I just "Play the disabled card" when I want to. I really do save it for when I'm really tired and just can't take the pain any more! I try not to burden those around me as much as possible... but when it gets too hard, then I ask for help... but the problem is, do they think I'm "using my disability card" to get out of work?

Do any of you feel that way too?