A Pleasant Surprise

I’m coming up on my one-year workaversary and I’ve loved every second of it. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed having a space where no one knows i’m “sick” and I could just be as “normal” as I look. I never planned on telling my work about my condition, because for once in my life, I didn’t NEED to. I am fully capable of fulfilling my job duties and then some. But I’ve been in a flare and haven’t been well enough to make myself look halfway decent or go sit at my desk for my meetings. But my boss asked me if I was okay today, because well, I guess I didn’t look well. And for the first time, I realized that my invisible illness isn’t all that invisible when you have people who really know you. So I shared. I laid in my bed, with my laptop on my lap, my heart racing, my face flushing, in full body sweats, flare in full swing, and told her about my condition and I am shockingly glad I did.

The first thing she said was “wow, thank you for trusting me enough to share that with me”. And to be honest, I don’t know if I’ve ever heard sweeter words. I didn’t feel judged. I didn’t feel pitied. I just felt understood. What an incredible freeing feeling to share a little piece of my life which has brought so much judgement from others and instead only receive understanding. She asked if she could ask me a few questions and when I told her I’m an open book and she could ask away, she did. She wanted to understand what my illness is and how it changes my life. And you guys, here’s the kicker….she asked me if there are any accommodations they can make to help make my life any easier. This question is what so many fellow potsies yearn to hear from their employers. I share because it is such an incredible example of how to respond when someone is sharing something with you that is personal to them, illness or not. Be gentle, be interested enough to ask and simply care enough to listen.