I saw Avatar back when it was in theaters. It's not the kind of movie I usually go out of my way to watch, but I wanted to find out what the fuss was about.Essentially it was just a big dumb fun popcorn flick, not nearly as profound as it was trying to be. Still, one line caught my attention.
"I see you."
This was a phrase used by the Na'vi, the big blue alien characters. It carried a world of meaning. I see you. I acknowledge your existence. You are just as important as any creature that has ever lived.
I wished the entire movie had been better, to be worthy of that one sentiment.
* * *
Today, June 6, was Day of Visibility for Invisible Diseases.
A disease is called invisible when it isn't readily obvious that the people who have it are sick. Nobody sees them when they feel their worst because they're too ill to go anywhere. When they have a good day, good enough to venture out into the world, they don't look sick and everyone assumes they must be fine.
And when sufferers claim they are NOT fine? The healthy people in their lives often assume they must just want attention and sympathy.
Many people with ME/CFS, fibromyalgia, chronic Lyme, POTS, MCS, and other diseases learn to keep quiet. Day of Visibility gives them a chance to come out of the closet, knowing that fellow sufferers are also putting themselves on the line.
I hope that a lot of sick people took the opportunity.
I hope that when they did, their friends and family said, "I see you."
