I cautiously walked down 12 steps from my bedroom to my living room. The bright sunshine streaming through the blinds made me stop at the foot of the staircase. Like vampire I feared what the sunlight would cripple me or cause me to retreat. After all for 14 days, I’ve been in the dark in my room allowing my brain to rest and heal from a horrible concussion.

Despite my concern, I kept walking until I reached the sofa. I sat on my couch with my sunglasses on and soaked up the warmth. The light lessened my depression. I was feeling so good I wanted to see what was going on outside. So, I walked down the steps to my front door. I opened just enough to see outside.

I smiled at a couple of neighbors and then I closed the door. For the first time in two weeks, I didn’t feel alone or forgotten.

The light gave me a headache but I didn’t care. I flopped down on my sofa and thought, I’m not healed yet but I am getting better.

#igg4 #spoonies #autoimmunedisease #invisibleillness #chronicillness #chronicpain #disability #igg4 #2018 #joythroughthepain #concussion #nyu #headache