A chronic illness is a recurring and/or long-lasting human health condition that is generally deemed incurable by medical professionals. Chronic illnesses are often classified as "invisible diseases" because many of the symptoms are not easily visible to others.

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Dermatomyositis, a rare inflammatory condition impacting the muscle tissue and skin, is the type of chronic illness that Kori was diagnosed with. Similar chronic illnesses include polymyositis, lupus, fibromyalgia and rheumatoid arthritis.