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Personal Experience Stories
People With 'Invisible Disabilities' Fight For Understanding by Naomi Gingold
She just wants understanding. She deals with her physical challenges, but she also has had to deal with people who don’t understand and don’t give her the benefit of the doubt. NPR presents this story, accompanied by a video.
Joni Eareckson Tada. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2001. (Available in a 25th anniversary edition). Available from Amazon, and libraries.
Preeminent book on disabilities. It is Joni’s story: her accident; her slow rehabilitation; her eventual acceptance; her discovery of creating art. It deals honestly with spiritual questions. It ends with the publicity resulting from her drawings. She went on to form Joni and Friends, an international group for disabled people and their families and friends.
What is an Invisible Disability? by Invisible Disabilities Association
Excellent overview of what an invisible disability is and how it affects an individual's life.
"Invisible Disability: Demystifying Disability" by Jasmine Leiser, The Daily California, March 23, 2015
A good source of information about visible versus invisible disability. Especially helpful for those not familiar with invisible disabilities. Includes the experience of a young woman living with Lupus.
For a look at life with chronic fatigue syndrome, see what Laurie Glass has to say in her poem.
Life with a Chronic Illness
The day begins, and here I am.
As always, I do not feel right.
With unrefreshing sleep, I feel
exhausted as I did last night.
No energy to get up yet.
It takes an hour, sometimes two,
to manage getting out of bed.
There’s nothing else that I can do.
It’s not the normal tiredness
I felt before this illness came.
It’s crushing, stubborn, burdensome--
I find it’s not at all the same.
And so I lie here ev’ry morn
until I feel that I can rise.
And even then, it doesn’t last.
Cut short by illness’s demise.
I drag myself around the house
to try to do a simple task.
But soon I’m eager to lie down.
My battery runs down so fast.
I’m hungry, but I can’t get up
until I have the energy.
Can only rest until it comes.
Such holding on is hard for me.
And this is how my day goes on.
I’m up for meals and do a bit,
but then my body needs its rest,
and there is no denying it.
And when it’s time to end the day,
I think, Well here I go again.
Exhausted as I go to bed,
but then insomnia sets in.
To rise, to eat, to rest, to sleep--
each portion of the day and night
requires that I wait and wait.
This tough routine is now my plight.
At times I feel beside myself.
I find the days are grueling.
I need to wait upon the Lord,
to look to him in ev’rything.
I will not make it otherwise.
This illness is too much to bear.
I’ll wait for strength and comfort from
the only one who’s always there.
“We wait in hope for the Lord; he is our help and our shield.” Psalm 33:20 (NIV)
© Laurie Glass, September, 2018.
By Sherri Connell, available from IDA
The premier book for observers who want to understand what dwellers face. “It is a convenient, informative way to educate loved ones about what people living with ongoing illness and pain struggle with, fight for and need from their friends and family. It is easy to read, gives practical ideas on how loved ones can be supportive and is not too long for readers to lose interest!” I highly recommend this book; it would be a great addition to a church library.
“The Spoon Theory” by Christine Miserandino.
Christine provides a cogent, understandable explanation of what living with invisible disabilities looks like. She uses spoons to accomplish that.
Learn More about Invisible Disability
Spiritual Issues
"Just Have More Faith" by Vaneetha Rendall Risner deals with the theological question of why some get healed and some don't. This article is good for the Christian and for those who wonder about the Christian faith. It encourages the dweller to realize God loves him. It helps the observer to understand that God has his own reasons as to whether or not He heals.
Articles for Christians living with illness and grief can be found on Ruth's website:Fruitful Today: Walking with You Through Illness and Loss.
Ruth is a young mother with invisible illnesses. She brings devotions and printable resources to you. She also has an interview series called “The Bridge” about the invisibly disabled and their church relationships.
Ever wondered about God giving us the desires of our hearts? What it means – or doesn’t? Humidity Makes My Hair Frizz draws comparisons between Noah’s family and Shelley’s journey to owning a home, but the principles apply to our desire for wholeness and health. Along the way, the author combines her story with questions and Bible verses to stimulate your thinking. All in all, Shelley Jarl’s book should deepen your understanding of the relationship between God and our desires. Available at Amazon.
Francee Strain is an invisibly disabled woman who uses her time to write. Below is a description of her first book, available at Amazon, CBD, and Barnes and Noble in paper and e-book. She also publishes a blog: Come Unto Me Ministries. 
Our lives are filled with things to do, but why do we do the things we do? Is there another way, a better way? Perspective and focus shape the way we live and the schedules we keep. Where exactly are we focusing? What types of perspectives do we have? Are our views about the temporary? Or are they about the eternal?
God has invited each of us to live abundantly and to live with eternal purpose. His invitations are like none other we will ever receive. Every part of who we are—body, mind, soul, and relationships—can have an intentional focus and fulfill an eternal purpose. Discover the things He has already called you to and learn how to respond to them. Discover what invitations will be forthcoming and what you can do to prepare for them.
Obstacles, excuses, suffering, times of waiting, incredible seasons of busyness, and the enemies of your soul can all be deterrents and distractions that can keep you from responding to and receiving from God. You have choices to make, up against a clock that is ticking. Are you making your minutes count for the correct things in the correct ways?
This book will lead you to introspection and encourage you to action. You can overcome all of these challenges when you are infused with God's strength and power. You can fulfill the things that He calls you to do.
Every day counts. Every moment counts. Make today count-for all eternity. Make this day extraordinary.
How Chronic Pain Warriors Handle the Holidays by Mandy and Michele. Want to have your dweller friend over for a holiday celebration? Check out their ideas.
"Not All Stories Can Be Champagne and Roses" by Sam Moss helps you understand better how to have conversations with your dweller friend. It explains why some questions are difficult to answer.
The author of Old and Blessed gives an interesting take on being honest when asked how he feels. Read it in his short post: Don’t you like being honest about how you feel? Good for the Dweller and the Observer.
Relating to Dwellers
Helping Out a Friend
Helping Disabled by dcsvelan
Are you new at interacting with physically challenged people? This article’s for you. Its’ tips, though, are good for anyone befriending and/or helping the disabled. A bit wordy, most of this is common sense, but it’s worth the read.
“Ministering to the Chronically Ill” by Rest Ministries.
Write-up of an interview with Lisa Copen, founder of Rest Ministries concerning the National Invisible Chronic Illness Awareness Week of 2007. The facts are still applicable to understanding your friend's struggles, including information about phrases that hurt-ers find unhelpful. See Invisible Illness Week for up-to-date info on the most current week as well as general knowledge about the subject.
Beyond Casseroles: 505 Ways to Encourage a Chronically Ill Friend
Lisa Cohen. Book available at Amazon.
I haven’t read the book, but I like what the website says: “We all want to help people but we don't know where to start. We hear others who want to reach out to us, or other chronically ill friends, but they make simple offers that we never feel comfortable accepting. This book is a wonderful way to give people ideas to be creative, approachable, and a great friend. It also teaches a person how to allow an ill friend to be independent and respected, yet still give her/him hope that may be needed.”
Why People with Chronic Illness Rarely Take Your Advice Well by Leitis23.
The writer lists five reasons, four of which she admits may have more to do with her than you. But the fifth reason can be a relationship deal breaker. Then she gives five things that friends can do for their friends. This is a good way to learn about how the chronically ill live and feel.
Friendship, Family & Chronic Illness | How To Provide Support by Amber.
This post's title says it all. How you, as an observer, can support family and friends as they navigate their storms. She includes 5 specific ideas for helping.
Dwellers will find tips about handling new symptoms. Observers can see what life can be like medically for those living with ongoing problems. See Sam's article: Looking for the Missing Puzzle Piece.
Medical Care
Parents of Disabled Children
“Celebrate the uniqueness of each and every child.”
This website contains helpful resources complete with Sesame Street characters for parents. Read stories of individual children. See the potential of each child. Listen to “The Amazing Song.”
“Estate Planning for Parents of Special Needs Kids”
No one likes to think about death, but each of us should have insurance and wills in case of unforeseen circumstances. This is especially true for parents of special needs kids. Packed with questions and advice to consider about estate planning and who will take care of your child.
Does your child need an accommodation at his school, so he can learn better? See this article for possibilities. Learn what the law is. See even more resources.
“Creating a Home Where Your Child Can Thrive with a Disability”
If you have a special needs child, you likely have concerns about your home. This article covers various types of disabilities. Addresses financial issues.
This article is loaded with ideas for fixing up a safe, helpful environment in your backyard for special needs kids. Check it out. Have fun. How to Create a Backyard Sanctuary for Kids with Disabilities.
“Help Loved Ones with Sensory Overload Enjoy Shopping”
Helps when shopping with people who have sensory overload. Common causes: autism, schizophrenia, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, migraines, Fibromyalgia. Adults as well as children can be affected. It explain what the condition feels like and some signs of overload. It also contains tips to prevent or lessen the problem, and to help shopping become enjoyable.
