10/21/2026
It’s Invisible Disease Week, and this is your reminder that you can’t always tell what someone is carrying just by looking at them.
You might see me smiling, teaching classes, traveling, working, and doing all the things I love. What you don’t always see is the fatigue, joint pain, swollen hands and feet, unpredictable flares, and the recovery time it takes to do those things.
Living with rheumatoid arthritis means learning to live with a body that doesn’t always cooperate. Some days are good. Some days are hard. And some days, I’m smiling on the outside while doing everything I can just to get through the day.
I share this because invisible illnesses are just that — invisible. We don’t always look sick. We don’t always talk about how we feel. And we shouldn’t have to prove our pain to anyone.
So this week, let’s give each other a little more grace. Believe people when they tell you they’re struggling. Remember that canceling plans, needing rest, or slowing down doesn’t mean someone is lazy or giving up.
You never know what someone is managing behind that smile.
To everyone living with an invisible illness, I see you. You’re not alone. 🧡