The Mask of a Smile

The constant smile on our faces is a mask that hides the emotion and pain that most people cannot and hopefully will never understand or comprehend. Because unless they walk a day in a body with HEDS there is no way they could know how someone with a connective tissue disorder feels physically and emotionally.

The fatigue and exhaustion are like waking up every day with the flu. Every flareup is like your entire body has been run over and every joint hurts including your fingertips. So instead of explaining the impossible, most of us choose to smile and when asked, how are you today? The answer is always the same. “I’m good, with a smile, how are you?”

Continuing to hide the pain and tears from those around us by wearing the mask of the smile and only showing glimpses of our true self when things get overwhelming and to the point where the mask can no longer hold back the true emotions.