Rainbows of beauty and hope become visible during storms, so it follows that the stormy life invisibly disabled people lead can also see beauty and hope in rainbow days. We at Navigating the Storms hope to help you see more rainbows.
The impetus for Navigating the Storms
Strug- gle (intransitive verb)
- Try to overcome problem: to make a great effort to deal with a challenge, problem, or difficulty
Isolated no more!
- Make great physical effort: to make a great physical effort to achieve or obtain something
My reality. For nearly 40 years, I’ve struggled with unpredictable, intermittent fatigue, pain and weakness making it impossible to live what most people consider a normal life. These problems have made it difficult to socialize. Out of this isolation was borne the idea for Navigating the Storms for so many of you out there who also struggle daily with serious physical challenges. I’d like us to have a place to connect, tell our stories, share our laughter, help lessen each other’s pain, and just plain have fun.
Navigating the Storms update
Now that I’ve worked on this site for a year, I find it somewhat different than what I’d envisioned. I still would like y’all (I’m Texan) to join in and make it an interactive site: leaving comments and getting discussions going, and taking quizzes.
Navigating the Storms is evolving into a site with basic info for and about people with invisible disabilities and a funnel to websites, articles, and books for deeper research. You’ll find links to helpful facts, news, advice, knowledge, and other viewpoints.
We purpose that those who hurt will find hope and those who care will be inspired to help.
Investigate us and see what we have to offer you. Check back often to see additions. Join in the interactive fun.
Reviewing the term
Deb Hileman, from Invisible Disabilities Association, speaks about “invisible disabilities.” She says it “can refer to debilitating pain, fatigue, dizziness, cognitive dysfunctions, brain injuries, learning differences and mental health disorders, as well as hearing and visual impairments. They are not always obvious to onlookers, but can sometimes or always limit the daily activities (of the people they affect).” (USA Today College)*
So … ?
We are here to offer enrichment and help for those dealing with invisible disabilities and to present ideas for the caring who wish to help.
Are you one of the hurting, struggling with pain, disability, difficult life situations? Feeling alone? Need to know someone is listening?
Or do you belong to the caring, and you’d like to be encouraging and strengthening? Or would you just like to learn more about us?
If you’re in either group, my dream is that you will participate on this site, creating community for us all. These two groups are not mutually exclusive: the hurting can also care; the caring can also hurt; we can encourage each other.
In closing
The hurting need understanding, encouragement, compassion and a listening ear. The caring need someone to care for. My vision is that we (the hurting and the caring) will get together here. I hope that you who care about others will look around and notice the invisibly disabled - called “invisible” because their difficulties can be hard to see. Look closely, identify them, and see if they have needs you can help meet.
Your turn
What would you like to see added to (or taken away from) from Navigating the Storms?
