"You don't look sick"

I have joined a FB group for my disease and I am not sure that I want to stick with them. Yes, they have some interesting things on there but I am not sure for my mental health that this is going to be a place I want to stay. I do have to say that there is a post on there that starts out with "you don't look sick", and that is the truth! I have heard that more times than I can count...what am I supposed to look like?! I don't cry wolf nor have I have cried wolf! Do people think this is a joke?! No I don't "look" sick because I fight like hell to stay positive and keep fighting for my life! If you don't have something that is very visible or something that everyone knows i.e. Cancer, Diabetes, or a broken bone it can't be anything serious (not taking away from any other disease). DM isn't well known, it's very rare! DM shows different symptoms in people, mine wasn't the norm, I only developed the visible rash on my hands. Do I wish that I didn't have this, yes, do I wish that anyone who is fighting an incurable disease didn't have it yes! The fact of the matter is I do have DM, I WILL be fighting this for the rest of my life! Do I know what is around the next corner, NO, but I know this, I will not give up! I know that there are days I do "look sick" but I try to hide those days behind makeup and a smile. I try to not let it get me down because once I let that darkness in I will sink into the abyss. I am thankful for my job at the local school district who are very understanding with my doctors appointments. I am thankful for the students because they are my antidepressants and they are what keep me going day after day. Remember that with all diseases/disorders you don't have to "look sick" to actually be sick, and letting others turn their back on you because they don't understand is their problem not yours. You have to take care of yourself and not worry about everyone else at this point. Self care is what will carry us all through the toughest times. Dermatomyositis Warrior, I am UNBREAKABLE!