Invisible Disability Awareness Week

So I missed Invisible Disability Awareness Week (Sept 8-14), however, I wanted to still post this....

30 Things About My Invisible Illness You May Not Know

1. The illness I live with is: Congenital Hip Dysplasia and Acetabular Labral Tear
2. I was diagnosed with it in the year: December 2011
3. But I had symptoms since: I was 11 or 12. It's been about 10 years since the symptoms first started. I went to the doctor then and they acted as if I was making it up. The doctor would not believe me that I wasn't sexually active. He kept asking over and over and wouldn't let it go. I think it was because he couldn't think of any other reason why I had so much pain in my hip. He was very rude about it and I never went to him again.
4. The biggest adjustment I’ve had to make is: constantly thinking about what is good for my hip and coming to terms that I might never be able to complete the full marathon.
5. Most people assume: that I am cured. The truth is, I will have this the rest of my life. I do not have a normal hip and never will.
6. The hardest part about mornings are: not being able to get up and go for a run
7. My favorite medical TV show is: Scrubs
8. A gadget I couldn’t live without is: elevators...they are the only way i can get around campus without hurting the next day
9. The hardest part about nights are: getting comfortable. I have to make my hip comfortable and now make my shoulder comfortable too (due to my rotator cuff tendinitis)
10. Each day I take ALOT of pills & vitamins.
11. Regarding alternative treatments I: think many work, you just have to find the best one for you
12. If I had to choose between an invisible illness or visible I would choose: Invisible. I can hide it better when I don't want to think about it.
13. Regarding working and career: It is really a burden since I will be working in the healthcare field where I could potentially have to lift, walk and be on my feet a lot.
14. People would be surprised to know:That I ran 15 miles on a stress fracture, multiple ganglion cysts and a dysplastic hip.
15. The hardest thing to accept about my new reality has been: that my hip will never be "normal"
16. Something I never thought I could do with my illness that I did was: walk a 5K 4 months after surgery
17. The commercials about my illness:there are none. There definitely needs to be more awareness of hip dysplasia due to the doctors not even knowing what was wrong with me for so many years.
18. Something I really miss doing since I was diagnosed is: running. I miss it so much.
19. It was really hard to have to give up: completing a full marathon. Someday I might feel ok to complete the half. But a full marathon probably isn't the best thing for my hip.
20. A new hobby I have taken up since my diagnosis is: Crochet and reading. I never used to read. During my recovery I have read so many books! My brother even got me a Kindle!
21. If I could have one day of feeling normal again I would: Go for a looong run, go to cedar point, and jump up and down just because I can.
22. My illness has taught me: So much. It would be hard to summarize how much I have truly learned over the past year.
23. Want to know a secret? One thing people say that gets under my skin is:that I am too young for this! I am so f***ing tired of that statement! (excuse my french). You have no idea how often I hear this.
24. But I love it when people: give my the "VIP" treatment (opening doors, getting me stuff, etc).
25. My favorite motto, scripture, quote that gets me through tough times is:"Anyone can give up, it's the easiest thing in the world to do. But to hold it together when everyone else would understand if you fell apart, that's true strength."
26. When someone is diagnosed I’d like to tell them: To join Hip Chicks support group. It may be a life-changing diagnosis but it isn't a terminal one.
27. Something that has surprised me about living with an illness is: that my family and friends are extremely supportive. I'm not surprised about this because I have such a caring and loving people surrounding me. However, I am very appreciative. Thanks everyone!
28. The nicest thing someone did for me when I wasn’t feeling well was: the list for this could go on and on...a)when people came over the apt to stay with me all day b) when Chris just held my hand and told me everything would be ok even though the pain was immobilizing c)when people took me out to do things even though I couldn't walk. I felt like such a burden to them but they didn't even care. d) the fact that everyone waited over 9 hours for me to come out of surgery e) there are just so many nice things....
29. I’m involved with Invisible Illness Week because: I want to spread awareness about hip dysplasia and other invisible illnesses. Just because you can't see that someone is hurting doesn't mean that they aren't hurting.
30. The fact that you read this list makes me feel: appreciated, loved, and proud to spread awareness