Do you have an invisible disability?

Question

What sort of difficulties do you run into?

Answer 1

Yes, I do.

When I exhibit any symptoms of it, people think I'm being rude/immature and treat me accordingly. (Which is understandable...how are they to know--it's not like I wear a name tag with my condition on it.) When I am forced to explain the nature of my disability, I'm informed that I don't have a disability and that I need to have a little more willpower and "grow up" because "everyone" goes through what I go through at one time or another. No, they don't. (I have medical records written by real doctors that prove it's a disability and not rampant immaturity.)

The weird thing is that I actually don't mind the disability in and of itself anymore. I've accepted it for what it is and do my best to not let it hinder me. What I do mind is these people (the word "idiots" comes to mind) who treat me like I'm less than human when they find out.

Answer 2

I have epilepsy, a learning disability, and a metal petal in my left elbow all that is invisible . I have a speech impairment that is not so invisible. My disabilities is a mere thorn in my side.

When people hear my speech impairment and find out that I have a learning disability, I automatically get labeled has some "retarded" that lacks the ability to do anything but scrub some sh*tty, nasty *ss toilet for a living.

Despite not having a seizure since 4/18/83, I still have limitations that is placed on me and will always be there, regardless.

The metal plate in my arm has effected me due to the fact that I can't straighten or bend my arm completely. I; however, hide this fact my keeping my hard in my pocket and lift weights when I can. The minute people see my scar, along with my learning disability, employers get scared way because they see me as not being able to do much of anything. Which is farthest from the truth but being allowed to prove it is a different story.

Answer 3

Yes. I have several disabling conditions that are not visible, but cause constant, severe pain, fatigue, and cognitive deficits. The medications I have to take have side effects that cause more problems.

As for problems? I can't work any more. I can't keep house properly. My life partner has to help me get to the bathroom first thing in the morning, because the pain and stiffness are so bad I can't walk reliably.

My family of origin are asinine and unsupportive. I have very little contact with them now, but I'm blessed by my family of choice and my partner and daughter. I've lost friendships, too, because too many people just don't understand that I have very limited energy and can't predict whether or not I'm going to be able to do something, no matter how much I WANT to do it. If willpower alone were enough to "get over it," I wouldn't be missing things like the weddings of people I love.

I do find that people are far more understanding if they see some outward sign of infirmity. For that reason, I recommend that ANYBODY who has an invisible disability carry a walking stick. There aren't many days, now, when I can "just" use my stick--it's usually the walker or even the wheelchair--but for the first ten years after I was diagnosed, I didn't need anything but the stick (and sometimes not even that). When I finally got one, the difference in OTHER people was so great that I carried it all the time. Yes, sometimes it was even painful to hold on to the danged thing, but it was worth it.

As for people who look at me askance when I use a scooter in a store, or park in a disabled spot (I have a permit), I'd happily trade them both in exchange for their healthier bodies.

Answer 4

Yes, I do. I have Lupus (SLE). Lupus is an autoimmune disease in which your immune system attacks your good cells as well as your bad. ( to put it very simply) I have chronic fatigue, joint pain, swelling, migraines, kidney infections. I also cannot go in the sun, the UV rays can cause Lupus to get worse. I also get sick easily. Last year I had whooping cough, liver prolems, strep throat.

Its difficult because people don't believe me or understand how it affects me. I am 22 young, attractive, healthly looking.

I've had college professors not believe me. College is difficult because there's no law saying that people with illnesses should have extensions on assignments, So if I become ill there's no guarantee that I will keep my grades in my classes. It depends on the grace given by the teacher. Some are supportive, some are far from it.

Ive gotten rude remarks from people in the parking lot when I park in the handicapped spot. ( I do have a legal placard.)

It's hard. But it's been three years with this disease and I wouldn't change it for anything in the world. It has taught me that we are all very mortal . It has taught me to appreciate life and to be sensitive to other peoples problems and dissabilities.

We all have our own invisible disabilities whether large or small.

Answer 5

Yes I do. I am bi-polar and most people aren't able to see that. Mostly because when my meds aren't tuned just right I try to stay out of public. The people who know me best know by the look on my face or the way I answer the phone whether I am "OK". Others are clueless. I have been inpatient in psych hospitals twice and almost a third time. It is a humiliating experience and I hope and pray that I nor any one else has to go through what I have. I hear people everyday saying how people try their best to get on disability. I was just the opposite. My Dr. and I argued for months until she finally just said she would refuse to sign my release to go back to work if I didn't at least apply for disability. I was ashamed and very reluctant, but I had bills to pay. I got my first check the first day I became eligible. No lawyers, no arguments, my medical records were enough. I have since tried to go back to work and even further my education. I simply do not have the thought process or the continuity of energy/enthusiasm to hold down anything that requires a rigid schedule. With my Dr appts and therapy sessions I wouldn't be able to work any way. Ease up on the people who ARE disabled and DONT WANT TO BE!!!!

Answer 6

I think my disability is almost invisible. I have more than one mental illness in part to predisposition and mostly because of severe abuse as a child. I do feel like I stand out like a sore thumb but honestly I think it doesn't show unless you know what to look for.
I have problems with this because people have expectations of me that I cannot possibly meet, due to my fears and anxieties.My sister keeps asking me to come to her house but I am afraid to drive on freeways. She more or less gets exasperated, along with everyone else, and I can hear her thinking"get over it"
I had a panic attack at the airport last week and needed a wheelchair to get to the gate. My daughter arranged it for me but it was hard and humiliating because the employee didn't understand why I needed it . I know I didn't look normal at that point but he just knew I could walk and didn't see what the problem was. These are the kinds of problems I run into. I get embarrassed and humiliated and I get a lack of respect baceause my disabilties are bith invisible and mental.

Answer 7

I have degenerative disc disease and before I had surgery I walked okay sometimes but had trouble bending down and getting up and sometimes my leg would go out from under me. I would use the handicap bathroom because it had the rail but now that I had the surgery and I depend on a cane and can't stand for too long it really ticks me off when those who are not disabled use the facilities while they see disabled people in line! Let me tell you, I don't keep quiet! I do ask them if they are disabled and they just turn red and leave quickly.

Answer 8

I have developed episodes of simply passing out or having seizures and migraines in the last few years. Because of it I can no longer work as a teacher ( I passed out in class). I also passed out while driving. I can no longer work and no longer have insurance.
This is like a prison. Meds have not worked. I have no clue when they are about to happen or even that they have happened when I come out of it. I can't drive or work. I can't bathe unless someone else is in the house.
My friend had the exact same condition but was healthier than me, younger and working. She went home from work and had a seizure alone and died. She was 37. I was devastated and scared also. Am I next?
Luckily my bf has first responder experience and is not freaked out by me passing out and turning blue if I stop breathing. It has happened. He is great about it.
But I look young and healthy and people who don't know just assume I'm just lazy for not working.

Answer 9

Thank you for asking! Just reading the answers has helped me. My invisible disability is not what I'm having trouble with. I was in an accident (got rear-ended) and now I'm messed up. Very stiff and painful when I start moving (any time). But I get better after moving some. Then I get tired and sore so quickly, right before the pain starts again. I lost my job in June, haven't been able to get another one yet. And unemployment is running out. I'm working with my Doctor, and I'm getting my walking stick out again. Thanks.

Answer 10

Yes. I have fibromyalgia, tourettes, RLS and Diabetes. Somedays I am fine and other days I hurt so bad moving out of bed hurts. I have a handicap card that I use when I need it. I have had people come over and yell at me to stop using my mom/grandma's card. They tend to stop and look all bewildered when I yell back at them that its mine and ask them if they would care to see my DL that matches the number on the card.
I also try and 'educate' them if possible by telling them that not all disabilities are easy to see.

There are people that abuse the system just like there are people who will always abuse anything. But not everyone is like that and people should recognize that fact.