Invisible Voices

Last night as I sunk into the darkness to sleep, I was tinkering with ideas for a project I am working towards in June that for me is about giving a voice to the chronic illness community, and then I felt called to listen to the first episode of my brave friend @rebeccaewebber’s podcast called “Exposing Isolation”. In those last moments before unconsciousness took me, I know I picked up my phone and rapidly typed out some words. What those were, I don’t know, that is until I just opened my Notes app:⁣⁣ ⁣⁣

April 29, 2019⁣⁣ ⁣⁣

We are the invisible ⁣⁣ Living behind closed doors⁣⁣ Tucked away from society ⁣⁣ ⁣⁣

Illness is our constant companion ⁣⁣ But how can so many ⁣⁣ be invisible?⁣⁣ ⁣⁣

We are not one⁣⁣ not two⁣⁣ not twenty⁣⁣ nor one hundred⁣⁣ ⁣⁣

No⁣⁣ We are in the MILLIONS⁣⁣ ⁣⁣

So why doesn’t anyone hear⁣⁣ this cacophony ⁣⁣ of invisible voices?⁣⁣

⁣⁣

I hear them⁣⁣ They fill my mind⁣⁣ they weigh on my heart ⁣⁣ They are thunderous in volume⁣⁣ these voices of suffering⁣⁣ and isolation⁣⁣ and exhaustion⁣⁣ ⁣⁣

These voices call out for answers⁣⁣ They ask “what is wrong with me?”⁣⁣ But doctors have no answers⁣⁣ ⁣⁣

We are complex and varied⁣⁣ and medical enigmas ⁣⁣ ⁣⁣

We are the voices of the⁣⁣ chronically ill⁣⁣ ⁣

Hidden, flames kept low⁣⁣ Yet we burn with desire and⁣⁣ yearning for a life⁣⁣ filled with less suffering⁣⁣ and isolation ⁣⁣

⁣⁣ Are you listening?⁣⁣ Can you detect the cries?⁣⁣ ⁣⁣

Hear us⁣⁣ We need you.