Recently, I was diagnosed with a condition called "fibromyalgia syndrome."  FMS is an invisible illness, which means that I have pain (some days, quite a lot of it) but nothing wrong with me that you can physically see.  You may see me wince if you grab my hand too hard, but wearing a cast won't protect me from pain.

I have a hard time explaining how I feel to friends and family.  It's hard for them to understand how tired I am, and that I'm not being lazy or difficult when i cancel plans to stay home and sit on my heating pad.

I have found a lot of support at a website called "But You Don't Look Sick?"  The site has an active message board community, articles, tips, and so much more!  This little section of my site is my way of giving back to the person who runs it, in the hopes that some of my visitors will venture over and learn a little about how life is for a different group of people.  My biggest hope is that someone who has one of these illnesses will stop by and get the support we so desperately need.

You may be wondering what's with the spoon over there.  Christine Miserandino, the owner of BYDLS, wrote an essay called The Spoon Theory that has been very helpful for me.  In it, she explains to a friend who doesn't have an illness what it's like for her to live with a chronic condition daily.  Please take a look and keep it in mind the next time you come across someone with an illness or disability.