There is a distinct sense of comfort that comes from explaining a person’s experience. We, as people, tell stories, create documentaries, write poems, and sing songs about our unique experiences as human beings to invite people to be one inch closer to understanding us.
We are driven to be understood. And as I have lived through the highs and lows of postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS), I couldn’t help but ponder exactly how I would help an able-bodied person understand what it’s actually like to live with my symptoms.
After all, it’s an invisible illness. I’m not in pain and I seem to be “with it,” so what’s the deal? The impact isn’t obvious, and most people, including family and close friends, end up settling for a middle ground of knowing I’m not well, but not really knowing what’s actually wrong.
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