National Invisible Illness.. Updates!

[Guest guest]

San Diego (July, 2002) More than 1 in 3 Americans

has a chronic condition, and despite what we may

assume, 60% of those who live with daily illness

or pain are between the ages of 18 and 64. The

majority of chronic illness is invisible,

including the 9 million people who are cancer

survivors that suffer the side effects of cancer

treatment.

September 23-29, 2002 is National Invisible

Chronic Illness Awareness Week. The theme is

"But You Look So Good!" It is a major public

awareness campaign sponsored by Rest Ministries,

an organization that offers support environment

for those who live with chronic illness or pain.

"Living with an illness that is invisible to

those around us can often have a more devastating

affect on our emotional health than the physical

pain," explains Copen, 33, founder of Rest

Ministries who lives with rheumatoid arthritis

and fibromyalgia. "Friends and family of those

with chronic illness care a great deal about what

their loved ones are going through, but

oftentimes the invisibility of the illness sets

up an environment for misunderstandings and even

doubt about the validity of the illness. We hope

to increase awareness of how many people 'look

great' but are hurting deeply."

Outreach includes various events: the

distribution of literature, "When a Friend Has a

Chronic Illness: What to Say, How to Help." Resources include "But You Look So Good: A Guide

to Understanding and Encouraging People With

Chronic, Debilitating Illness and Pain." Churches across the U.S. will be participating by

having various testimonies shared about living

with illness. Bumper stickers and other

promotional items are available. Special chat

guests will be online. For a complete list of

events and resources visit

www.invisibleillness.com or call .

"The feeling of knowing that one's illness and

pain is acknowledged can have a great impact on

how a person copes with living with illness,"

says Copen. "We hope that by recognizing people

with illness rarely feel as good as they look,

they will begin to feel better understood,

leading them to a more invigorating life!"

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[Guest guest]

Visiting this site was well worth the effort.

Being sick and looking well is sometimes hard.

After 7+ years with a dx of Fibro, Would I " welcome " a dx of RP?

Certainly NO! But I could almost see myself: holding up my

aching head with pride; sticking my pink nose in the air; and

telling the world---I told you so!

blue

[Guest guest]

Visiting this site was well worth the effort.

Being sick and looking well is sometimes hard.

After 7+ years with a dx of Fibro, Would I " welcome " a dx of RP?

Certainly NO! But I could almost see myself: holding up my

aching head with pride; sticking my pink nose in the air; and

telling the world---I told you so!

blue