Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: Symptoms, Causes & Treatment

7 Powerful 2021 Sundance Films That Nailed Authentic Disability Representation

The 2021 Sundance Film Festival offered a refreshing and long-overdue spotlight on stories that reflect the real world — including authentic disability representation. In a media landscape that often excludes or misrepresents disabled individuals, Sundance provided a platform for filmmakers who brought truth, dignity, and complexity to disability narratives. These films did more than just feature disabled characters — they told their stories with nuance, respect, and realism. From bold documentaries to groundbreaking dramas, these…

by chronicillness•05/14/202508/22/2025•0

Dismissed by Words: What It Feels Like When I’m in Pain and Someone Says, ‘That Didn’t Hurt’

Pain is personal. It’s intimate. It’s rooted in the unique wiring of a body and the lived experience of the person inside it. So when I’m in pain and someone says, “That didn’t hurt,” the words don’t just miss the mark—they sting in a way that’s deeper than the initial physical pain itself. They erase my experience, question my reality, and shrink my voice into silence. For anyone living with an invisible illness like fibromyalgia,…

by chronicillness•05/14/202508/22/2025•0

Words That Wound: What You Should Never Say When Someone Tells You They’re in Pain

When someone opens up about their pain—whether physical, emotional, or invisible—they’re not just stating a fact. They’re taking a vulnerable step. They’re trusting you with something raw and real. But what happens next—the way you respond—can either build a bridge of support or deepen the hurt. Words carry power, and the wrong ones can wound deeper than silence ever could. What you should never say when someone tells you they’re in pain isn’t always obvious.…

by chronicillness•05/14/202508/22/2025•0

Why Rita Farr in Doom Patrol Shatters Stereotypes and Empowers the Chronic Illness Community

In a media landscape saturated with superheroes who seem invincible, Rita Farr stands apart. Known as Elasti-Woman on HBO Max’s Doom Patrol, Rita is not your typical comic book character. While she possesses powers, her story is deeply entwined with themes of vulnerability, identity crisis, and the lasting physical and emotional toll of trauma. For many living with chronic illness, Rita Farr’s journey offers a powerful reflection of their own struggles and resilience. Her character…

by chronicillness•05/14/202508/22/2025•0

16 Powerful Reasons People With Chronic Illness Make Remarkable Life Partners

Living with chronic illness demands resilience, adaptability, and emotional depth. While the challenges are undeniable, the experience also shapes individuals in profound ways that can translate into exceptional qualities as romantic partners. People often overlook this perspective, focusing only on what might seem difficult. But the truth is, those who live with chronic illness bring a unique blend of empathy, strength, and authenticity to relationships. Here are sixteen reasons why they make incredible life partners.…

by chronicillness•05/05/202508/22/2025•0

How I Found My True Identity at the Intersection of Queerness, Neurodiversity, and Disability

For much of my life, I felt like I was navigating a maze blindfolded. I didn’t have the words to describe who I was or why the world around me felt so overwhelming. I only knew that I was different, and that difference carried weight. It wasn’t until I began to unpack the layers of queerness, neurodiversity, and disability within myself that I started to piece together a fuller picture. In that space where all…

by chronicillness•05/05/202508/22/2025•0

From Bullied Child to Empowered Woman: My Journey With Disability and Self-Worth

Growing up, I learned early that the world doesn’t always know how to treat those who are different. As a child with a visible disability, I quickly became a target. The names they called me still echo sometimes. The way they stared, laughed, or excluded me wasn’t something I could ever forget. I didn’t understand why I was treated differently—I only knew that I was. But what began as a painful childhood of bullying slowly…

by chronicillness•05/05/202508/22/2025•0

From Pain to Pride: How I Transformed From a Bullied Girl Into a Fearless Woman With a Disability

There was a time in my life when I would have done anything to be invisible. As a child with a visible disability, I didn’t just feel different—I was constantly reminded of it by the way others treated me. Classmates whispered behind my back, teachers overlooked me, and strangers stared without apology. I learned to shrink myself to avoid attention, to keep quiet when I wanted to scream, and to fake smiles that hid the…

by chronicillness•05/05/202508/22/2025•0

Triumph Over CRPS: Stephanie Shares a Candid Testimonial of Her Remarkable Journey with Complex Regional Pain Syndrome

Introduction: Stephanie’s Story – Turning Pain into Power Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) is often called the “suicide disease” because of its unrelenting and excruciating pain. But for Stephanie, her journey with CRPS became a story of resilience, hope, and transformation. In this exclusive testimonial, Stephanie opens up about her life-changing experience — from the devastating onset of symptoms to discovering strength she never knew she had. The Day Everything Changed: Stephanie’s First Encounter with…

by Dr Alex Robber•05/05/202508/22/2025•0

What Happened When I Was Judged for Using Disabled Parking With an Invisible Illness Will Change How You See People

When I’m Judged for Using Disabled Parking With an Invisible Illness Every time I pull into a disabled parking spot, I brace myself. Not for the walk into the building or the flare-up that made me need the space in the first place—but for the looks, the whispers, the judgment. Because I don’t “look sick.” And in a world that still struggles to understand invisible illness, that’s enough for some to assume I’m doing something…

by chronicillness•05/04/202508/22/2025•0