Invisible Disability Definition - Simple to State, Hard to Spot
Let’s review the subject of invisible disabilities again. Recently, I’ve had to deal yet another time with misunderstandings in this area.
Let’s begin with a simple invisible disability definition. Disability: impairment substantially limiting one or more major life activities. Invisible: unable to be seen. So … an unseen impairment.
I bring you a true account of an invisibly disabled woman, although details have been changed. Note what she had to cope with.
Justine stood forlornly looking out her living room window not really seeing the gorgeous view of the sloping lawns leading to the rolling hills beyond their apartment complex. She enjoyed the short respite from her pain and weakness that enabled her to stand for a few minutes, but she was so tired of being tired. She desperately wanted to be able to participate in life and care for her family again. Her Multiple Sclerosis seemed to be winning the war as she remembered the ambulance rides to the hospital for emergency care. Justine, however, remained unaware of the gossip in the campus community that said she was faking because they occasionally saw her standing or going somewhere.
What about you? Would you think Justine was making it up? Maybe you'd think she wanted to be stuck in her house twenty-four hours a day? Would you believe she would ignore her children like that? Do you suppose she would treat her student-husband that way? Wouldn’t people understand she did not live that way by choice?
Welcome to the world of invisible disabilities. Dwellers too often have to face situations like this where people just do not believe the realities of their lives.
What are some invisible disabilities?
- Extreme fatigue
- Chronic pain
- Severe vision problems
- Hearing difficulties
- Traumatic brain injury
- Psychiatric illness
- Autoimmune diseases
- Chronic dizziness
- Migraines
Is it real?
Because others can’t see them, they often don’t believe it’s real. What do people mistake the reality for?
- Laziness
- Mental issues
- Hypochondria
- Looking for attention
- Self-absorbed
- Making up a story
What about you?
Looks can be deceiving. Do you look beyond what you can see? Do you accept the person’s word when they offer an explanation?
I encourage you to look around and try to better understand your friend, family member, co-worker, or acquaintance.
