I am one of those people. I've always worked, cut back to part time after having each kids. Then one day I got sick and I lost my part time job. My health declined rapidly and, it put a major strain on my marriage and I wound up divorced a few years later. My kids and I moved in with my parents 8 years ago and we've been here ever since.

I applied for disability but, because there is no real diagnosis as to the cause of my growing list of illnesses and ailments, I was denied. I've tried going back to work many times and wind up getting sick (again) and losing my job....every single time.

Not having money sucks, living with my parents sucks, having only limited contact with the outside world sucks, being sick all the time sucks. However, of all the shitty things about my situation, the absolute worst part, by far, is the constant ridicule and judgement from everyone around me - (some of) my family, (ex) friends, neighbors, peers in my community....anyone who knows I'm unemployed and live with the my parents.

My biggest problem about being sick is that I 'don't look sick', which causes many to doubt my claims. An example of this is my Gout. Because Gout it common for alcoholics to get, I've been accused of being an alcoholic, which couldn't be further from the truth - I rarely drink and, when I do, it's never more than two because I honestly don't enjoy drinking. Because of this, I am incredibly insecure about the Gout and refuse to admit it's Gout which, I'm sure, isn't helping all the looks and shit talking.

Truth is, the stigma around me and my health has cost me friends I've had for decades, 90% of my family thinks I'm a loser, I had to delete my social media accounts because, at 38 years old, I was being made fun of amongst my old high school acquaintances. Other than my parents, 1 (good) brother and a few dear friends, I don't talk about my health with anyone anymore. The weight I carry from the shame caused by my illness is like dragging a dead horse around, everywhere I go, for all to see.

My advice is that if you have your health and a job, don't take it for granted and please, before you judge the poor, single mom who lives with her parents, uses food stamps and state insurance and gets her clothes at the Goodwill, please try and remember that not all illnesses are bald, frail people with pasty skin, wearing masks while being pushed around in wheelchairs by hospice nurses. Just cause you can't see it doesn't mean it's not there.