The Closet Disease

Ive come to realize that there are so many people who keep quiet about being diagnosed with RA. I believe that it is because they are afraid of the reaction that they will get so they find it easier and safer to keep silent about it.
I was asked why I'm so open about having this disease. Yes I've been told numerous times before I was diagnosed that it was all in my head, but I knew there was something wrong. When I finally received a diagnosis I was sort of relieved to now have an answer, but I was faced with a whole different reaction that I was not prepared for. I was bombarded with "But you don't look sick" "aren't you too young for that?" "the pain can't be that bad". It was then that I realized that people haven't really heard about the disease and the ones that have are misinformed. After all there's not much awareness that has been brought to it.
So it's not that I am wanting sympathy. I'm open about having RA because I personally know how it feels to be dismissed like its no big deal. It's like a verbal slap in the face and it can hurt worse then the disease itself. So if by my speaking out helps inform others; and help relieve the burden of those who are afraid to speak out because they're worried about how they'll be treated.....it's all worth!