"But You Don't Look Sick": The Spoon Theory

I just found this amazing essay that I have to share with you all.

It's probably the best essay I have yet read about dealing with disability on a daily basis.

Really makes you think.

Feel free to comment.

This is relevant not just to lupus as the author describes, but any chronic disability of any kind. Autism and MCS included. With any disability you have to think very carefully about your days and how you are going to plan around all of the obstacles that you have. You might do it well enough that you don't "look sick" to other people, but as soon as you're not able to do those things, then you fall apart. (And people say "What's wrong with you?" not realizing that you do,
indeed, have a disability since you usually can cope well enough to not seem disabled!)

People with any kind of disability only have enough "spoons" to do certain things per day, or any day, and have to think very carefully about the choices they make. They don't have the freedom, as healthy people do , to just go out and live, to do things without deciding, to do anything without first thinking of the consequences.

I wasn't expecting much when I clicked on this link but I was blown away.

I am sure anyone with a disability will be able to relate, and anyone who knows someone with a disability will hopefully come away with more understanding.

The link:

http://www.butyoudontlooksick.com/navigation/BYDLS-TheSpoonTheory.pdf