While some people have an obvious ailment, or physical affects from a condition, others can suffer chronic illness in silence.
Arkansas student Julie McGovern is one such person.
After years of competing as an athlete in high school, Julie noticed herself tiring easily and constantly working though crippling migraines. She was later diagnosed with Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS) – a chronic and debilitating illness which can make it difficult to even stand up as the body can’t adjust to gravity very well.
On July 20th, Julie’s worst fear came through. Despite the support of friends and family, she was conscious that she was no longer able to rely on regular parking spots. On her bad days she would need to use disability parking.
Then she was accused of faking her illness with a note left on her car.
Taking to her Facebook page, the young woman wrote a post hoping to create awareness and understanding:
“I am unable to keep up with my friends and my pride often keeps me from asking for help. Sadly, the disbelief of others around me has caused me to remain silent about my illness. It is like I am being punished for being sick. They think if I just eat better or sleep more, I would be cured, but that couldn’t be further from the truth.
“My doctor issued me a handicapped parking tag. I have always been afraid of what others would say and I often sit in my car until I feel no one is around so that they won’t judge me or accuse me of using the system. I am sick. I didn’t choose this and it isn’t my fault. I would give anything to be healthy again. I would give anything to have one day of freedom. Just because a person looks fine does not mean they are. There are many illnesses that go unnoticed to the untrained eye. Illnesses such as, heart failure, cystic fibrosis, MS, POTS, Asthma, Lupas, and countless others. Being handicapped isn’t always a wheelchair or crutches. Some illnesses manifest themselves internally and destroy the body from within. I have one of those illnesses.
The post continues:
“Today my worst fear came true. So many emotions flooded my mind. I was hurt, I was angry, I wanted my voice to be heard, but this person is a coward and could not tell me what he/she thought to my face. This person incorrectly perceived my situation, because it is impossible for someone my age to have an illness. This person doesn’t know me or my struggles. They don’t know what this illness has taken from me. They don’t see the countless nights I cry myself to sleep, soaking my pillow with tears, pleading – praying for God to heal me. They don’t see the weakness, the pain, the symptoms that are very real, but only I can feel. They don’t understand, and until it happens to them they never will.
“However it is up to us to tell our story and to raise awareness. As I said not all things are visible. The person who wrote me such a hateful note is also handicapped. This person has a mental handicap disguised as ignorance. And even though I am sick, I don’t always park in the handicapped parking. I only do so on my bad days.
“I walked out to my car, and as I said, my worst fear came true. I was accused of faking. My illness was invalidated. My fight appeared to be in vain. My pride was shattered and my story was disrespected. To the person who wrote me that note. Shame on you! I pray you are never faced with the struggles I am every minute of every day. I pray that someone you love who is ill is never treated the way you have treated me. I pray you open your eyes and your heart to the people around you and exercise compassion, as you abandon your need to hurt others.
“A handicap comes in all shapes and sizes. Don’t judge someone by the way they look. If you are unsure, approach me and ask me about my illness. I am always happy to share my story and raise awareness, because if it reaches even one life or inspires one person, or helps many more, it was worth it.”
Story via i100
