About The Author
Christine Miserandino is a writer, blogger, speaker and patient advocate from NY. She also happens to be someone who is living with Lupus. Her writing has been featured in numerous newspapers, magazines, medical newsletters and television media.
From the age of fifteen, Christine Miserandino has been diagnosed with a myriad of illnesses from Chronic Fatigue Syndrome to Epstein Barr, and finally, many years later to a determination of Lupus. Though battling a shopping list of symptoms, Christine has consistently been told, by both well-wishers and doctors alike, “But you don't look sick.” as if that was some kind of compensation for being chronically ill. Many times, being pretty or not sickly looking, made it harder to validate an illness you cannot see.
Christine started out life with dreams of being a dancer on Broadway. She was classically trained for years and studied at The High School of Performing Arts in New York City. She enjoyed acting, modeling and dancing. Just when a dancing career was on the brink, she was told that dancing would not be a good career choice for someone with joint pain. Christine studied at Hofstra University. It was there that she first discovered writing about her broad range of feelings, gave her a needed outlet and a voice to her pain. She switched her creative focus from theatre and dance and found a new focus in marketing. During her years at Hofstra University, she was a resident assistant, an active member of her sorority Phi Sigma Sigma, and she was a Homecoming Queen finalist. Although she had a full collegiate career, she had to spend most nights in bed, instead of at parties. She had to work twice as hard to get half the results of her peers in classes, because she was in pain or was exhausted and found it hard to concentrate.
Unfortunately, her limitless career was cut short due to complications with her illness. She was forced to leave school because a flare with Lupus was out of control. Plagued with heart and breathing problems, as well as pain and debilitating fatigue, Christine was left with no other choice but to take a medical leave from both school and her job. While most young adults are concentrating on their future careers, salaries, or a love life, Christine was worrying about medications, hospital stays and how to pay her bills.
Christine spends her time writing, speaking, volunteering, and being a patient advocate. Her passion is helping those with Lupus through her writing and volunteering. She enjoys spending time with her husband, puppy and baby girl Olivia. She started this website called www.butyoudontlooksick.com to help others. Christine's award winning writing has been featured in numerous publications and media.
Comments
I was tickled to death to hear your spoon story. I love that you have explained it in a way that I certainly couldn't. I suffer from Multiple Sclerosis and find that I don't look sick either, but sure feel it. You are definitely an inspiration to the world of autoimmune disease.
Blessings to you,
Camille
Posted by: camille | December 19, 2007 10:33 AM
Love the website - I heard that all the time - also went to Hofstra - you're doing well!
Posted by: christine | January 4, 2008 03:49 PM
WOW- I just happenned to find this site while looking for a movie review (The Bucket List). I am 42 and have been living with advanced stage 4 breast cancer for over 4 years, but do not look sick (I still have my long hair, good weight, skin etc). I really thought I might be alone in this strange paradox - it is so refreshing to hear someone else's take the "but you don't look sick" issue. I felt like someone had been following me with a camera for a while! It is indeed a double edged sword to be so ill and look so good! Not many people understand that.
Thanks for creating this site!
:)
Posted by: christina | February 4, 2008 08:12 PM
your spoon story has made it so much easier for me to explain to everyone around me how my day to day life is. as I read though it the first time I caught myself nodding and agreeing with everything you said. word for word. I deal with probably one of the worst you don’t look sick ailments. Fibromyalgia. by no means do I show any physical reasons other then stiffness and the popping of joints regularly assonated with standard arthritis. but with fibro. degenerative disk disease and a hyper clotting factor that has caused me to developed not 1 but 4 chronic pulmonary emboli . Your spoon story really helps me put to light what I go though every day to people who look at me like I’m just trying to live of the public taxpayers money that is welfare and disability payments. I don’t know how many times I had to explain to people just what I go though day after day… just to get what little I get now. Let alone 1/3 the medical equipment I need and should be using regularly like a wheelchair. And all of it because I do not look sick. Thank you for not only helping me explain it in a way others will understand. But being who you are and sharing your story with people like me so that we may somehow benefit from your understanding.
Posted by: Trenton Riopel | February 25, 2008 02:14 PM
I have read so much about an individual named "Christine" and her family who were going to be honored so I knew that you must have done something really extraordinary to deserve that recognition by the Lupus organization.
Today I just happened to read our Lupus newsletter and then followed the links and "stumbled" onto your "ButYouDontLookSick.com" Website and now I realize the validity in the Lupus Organization's choice in their nomination of you Christine...
I hope to one day meet you!
I am suffering from this disease now more than I ever have. I developed this disease from a toxic pregnancy that was undiagnosed until the week before I delivered, back in 1886. Just recently in January 2006, Lupus has now effected my Central Nervous System where I suffered with seizures and I was hospitalized in ICU for 13 days...my employer after 24 yrs has now fired me and I am on disability, trying to provide for my 2 sons alone- since I am also going through a very difficult divorce.
Life is very difficult and YOU SEEM TO BE AN INSPIRATION!! I HOPE OUR PATHS WILL CROSS SOON ONE DAY !! THANK YOU ....
Posted by: Loretta | March 18, 2008 04:06 PM
Hi, I'm Mei Jun a librarian from NLB. I found your blog useful and recommended it on our ASK! blog. Thank you and have a nice day!
Posted by: Mei Jun | March 31, 2008 02:13 AM