“It’s the invisible nature of the coronavirus that complicates matters. So many people don’t fear something they can’t see. However, I know how powerful and life-changing invisible forces can be. My autoimmune disease, Undifferentiated Connective Tissue Disease (UCTD), is an invisible disability, causing pain, fatigue, and weakness in my left leg. My rheumatologist described it as sharing overlapping symptoms of lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, and myositis. UCTD is a chronic illness causing chronic pain. 
“A quick glance, and I look ‘fine.’ No assistive walking device needed on a daily basis. No one can see inflammation by looking at me, especially since my legs are always covered by loose-fitting pants or long flowing skirts. No one can see the pain, the crushing sensation I experience in my leg as if my son has placed his heavy backpack on my lap. No one can see the tightness of my calf, as if it is stuck in a perpetual charley horse. However, just because you can’t see my disability, doesn’t make it any less real.”

The paragraphs above are an excerpt taken from my personal essay, “Invisible Forces at Work,” which, I’m pleased to say, has recently been published in an anthology titled The Covid Logs. “The Covid Logs provide a space for the disabled and chronically ill communities to share their experiences of navigating the Covid-19 pandemic.” The anthology is available as a PDF and a full-color zine and includes personal essays, visual art, and poetry. You can click here to learn more about this special collection.