In December 2023, iamvisABLE features came together for its relaunch campaign to discuss the importance of community and value in sharing our stories. Destinee, Kaelyn, Marisa, Natalie B, Natalie H, and Roberta each arrived to the studio with a similar passion to represent themselves and others living with an invisible, chronic illness. The energy was inviting. Each of the women filtered through the door one by one greeting the other. To an outsider, you may assume that these women have known each other for longer than 5 minutes but most were meeting for the first time. They each offered a unique perspective to the conversations through their personal experiences and shared their thoughts on topics, such as education, awareness, relationships, and advocacy. I felt an overwhelming sense of admiration during this shoot as the women showcased a great deal of respect for each other, which is one of the core values of the iamvisABLE community. When someone makes a conscious effort to hear not only the words that another person is saying but, more importantly, the complete message being communicated, then it builds a sense of trust and rapport allowing the person to feel heard when sharing. This highlights the importance of connecting with like-minded individuals who share an understanding for similar experiences and further demonstrates how our stories connect us.
Discussion Responses
To me visibility means vulnerability. Not only being visible to other people but being visible to ourselves and honest about what we’re feeling and the things we’re experiencing. Visibility happens both within ourselves and with other people.”
Natalie H.
I have recently felt the benefit of community while experiencing breast cancer. I would hear the word ‘community’ a lot but I didn’t know what people meant. If I didn’t have the relationships that I had while I was going through what I was going through, I don’t know if I would have wanted to fight, if that makes sense. It came at a perfect time, when I was at my lowest my community would show up whether it was through a text, a phone call, flowers, a meal.”
Roberta
The value in sharing our stories? It’s beautiful to find like-minded individuals who go through similar hardships and can make you feel less alone because it can be so isolating.”
KaELYN
What does visibility mean to you? “When it comes to stories like mine, like sexual assault, I feel like it’s really hard to talk about those issues in public. For people who are able to discuss those topics, it allows other people to have a voice when they don’t feel strong enough to have one themselves. So I feel that by talking about it, it can allow other people to feel supported and seen even if they are not sharing.”
Destinee
What does visibility mean to you? “I would say consideration because I am low to the ground and a lot of people don’t see me anyway. It can be frustrating but it means so much when someone actually considers that I’m even there.”
Marisa
Describe the importance of community for those living with an invisible, chronic illness? “In the beginning, when I was first diagnosed a lot of my diagnosis kept coming in waves and I don’t know if I would have been able to withstand every wave that hit me without my support system. My husband. My kids. They were so considerate of me. My church family came alongside our whole family and took care of us. I don’t know how I would have been able to survive that.”
Visibility means people are able to see others who are dealing with different things. So rather than suffering in the shadows, we feel heard when people become more aware of the things we are experiencing.”
Natalie B.
“Being able to share your story not only allows you to make sense of what you have experienced, but it can also help others feel less alone. It also helps with education. I think the more we share, the more solutions we can find.”
