There was a time in my life when I felt invisible. For 3 years, between the ages of 16 and 19, I was a part-time patient, shuffled around the medical system, as doctors, surgeons, and specialists worked to:

• Diagnose my massive case of scoliosis – 116 degrees of combined curves.
• Assess the collateral damage – a severely twisted ribcage and one leg measuring 4 inches longer than the other.
• Figure out what to do about it.

My life became a never-ending trek of doctors’ waiting rooms, paper covered exam tables, x-ray films, backless gowns and endless stark, brightly lit sterile hospital hallways. I was a walking ID bracelet with rows of numbers; a diagnosis on a chart. I felt like I didn’t matter. It was all about those damn curves.

Today, I want to make sure you never feel invisible. I want to make sure people hear your story so they can apply your lessons to their lives. I want to remind you that no human being should ever be a number – your story matters. YOU matter.  The tales, turmoils, and takeaways of your life are the life blood of at least one other person’s evolution. Staying under the radar, hiding and withholding your words of wisdom is not acceptable.

Being invisible sucks. But unlike in my story, you have the power to do something about it. What will it take? When will you tell us why you matter? That’s a book I want to read. Let’s talk about what that will look like!