Relationships Navigating the Storms

How To Support Your Invisibly Disabled Friend

Out of sight, out of mind. Does that apply to your friend or family member? You know she has a physical problem that prevents her from socializing like she used to. You may even understand his problems. But, do you forget she’s around somewhere just because you don’t see her much? You don’t mean to, […]

Learning to be Assertive Despite the Fatigue of Illness

Assertiveness is a trait many people find difficult to achieve. But when you add pain and fatigue into the mix, it can seem impossible, but assertiveness for invisibly disabled people is achievable . Lisa gives us ideas to follow. Just remember, there is a time to be assertive, and a time to refrain. Following article © […]

Lend Me Your Hope – PLEASE!

Some days, we dwellers feel that life’s too difficult to want to live another day. It doesn’t mean we’re suicidal. We’ve just lost hope, at least for awhile. We need to borrow some from you. But, you, friends give invisibly disabled people hope. Borrowed Hope Lend me your hope for awhile. I seem to have […]

Relationally Speaking: What Not to Say

Relationships invisibly disabled people enjoy are enriched -- or otherwise -- by words people say. Imagine yourself in this scenario: You’ve had some unusual, or downright strange, symptoms for 5 years now. They come and go, but they never stay away. Your doctor finally found a name for it, but there is no cure. They […]

She Helped. He Helped. They Helped. Did You?

Everybody needs help at some point. Disabled persons obviously can’t function without some aid. Those with invisible disabilities, too, often benefit from assistance. Helping physically challenged friends enables them to more easily participate in life. It can encourage them in their storms.Who can help? Anyone!What’s required? Compassion!Our church held a Harvest Party, complete with costumes. At […]

Making Tough Choices

“It's not hard to decide what you want your life to be about. What's hard, she said, is figuring out what you're willing to give up in order to do the things you really care about.”* ― Shauna Niequist, Bittersweet: Thoughts on Change, Grace, and Learning the Hard Way** A succinct description of the dilemma […]

Listening Lightens Our Load – Can You Help?

Are you listening? Can you hear me? Do you even know I exist? Questions too many people ask in their stormy times. Let’s deal with one aspect of listening and caring: discovering the storm stories of physically challenged people. It only takes some time and compassion, but listening to invisibly disabled friends can make a BIG […]

Esther Collingwood: One Impact of Her Life

As I sit here mulling over the life of Esther Collingwood,I realize I didn’t really know her that well. Our primary connection in the last couple years was through Facebook. And yet, I feel such a keen sense of loss. Esther’s kindness to me One morning at Church, this friendly lady came up to me and […]

4 Things We All Say But What Is The Listener Hearing?

You care about your friend. Or maybe you haven’t yet met the individual. Social conveniences help us connect with people. But how often do we think about how the listener perceives what we say? What is the person hearing? What are you really saying? Interacting with people with disabilities can sometimes stretch us. As sixteen […]

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