Dear Invisible Illnesses

Thank you for teaching me that sometimes people don’t always believe in what they can’t see, even if they pray to God every night and tell their kids Santa Claus is real. Thank you for reassuring me that it’s not all in my head, and I was right all along. Thank you for making me feel proud of myself for how far I’ve come. Thank you for teaching me to enjoy the small moments, and find beauty in everything around me. Thank you for showing me I’m never alone, because I have myself. Thank you for encouraging me to stand up to people, to advocate, and to not be scared to say the truth. To be grateful for what I have, while knowing that it’s also okay to be selfish.

I know sometimes I complain, because – yeah – it sucks. When I started writing this letter, actually, I felt frustrated and exhausted; but then I realized that you taught me things I couldn’t have learned on my own. And I wouldn’t trade that for anything… So, the lasting sentiment is this: I am thankful. Thankful to you for helping me learn that those two things can be true at the same time. Thank you for saving my life.

Sincerely,

A Girl with Invisible Illnesses, Age 16
Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITP)