You see me in my wheelchair whizzing by you in town.

I smile hello at you.

You see me tentatively taking steps along the promenade with my walking sticks.

I smile hello at you.

You see me in the supermarket doing the shopping.

I smile hello at you.

You see me in the swimming pool, swimming and smiling.

I smile hello at you.

You see me the restaurant enjoying a meal.

I smile hello at you.

You see me out and about.

I smile hello at you.

You don’t see me going through my front door, in pain and exhausted.

I am crying.

You don’t see me trying to get off the sofa, in pain and exhausted.

I am crying.

You don’t see me crawling upstairs on my hands and knees, in pain and exhausted.

I am crying.

You don’t see me trying to sleep in pain and exhausted.

I am crying.

You don’t see me on the phone to the doctor begging for more pain relief in pain and exhausted.

I am crying.

You don’t see me collapse in a heap when you are told there is nothing more they can do for you.

I am crying.

You don’t see me when they tell you it will get worse.

I am crying.

You don’t see me when they tell you, you have an EXTREME form of FIBROMYALGIA.

I am screaming.

When you see me please remember It Takes A Real Skill To Look Well, you do not see what is going on behind closed doors.