LIVING WITH AN INVISIBLE DISABILITY

by Jill Gambaro

There I was at some event the other day, standing room only, surrounded by senior citizens. I have about a 30 minute standing tolerance. It was also in the middle of a heat wave and my body can’t regulate its temperature anymore either. So when a chair opened, I nabbed it. What followed was a very familiar scene: glares by those left standing that I, someone so young, should take the seat while my elders remained standing.

I used to long for some proof of my #disability and now I finally have one in the form of a bus pass. It says disabled right on it, right below my name. It even has my picture on it. Now all I have to do is muster the courage to whip it out.

Living with an #invisibledisability presents so many problems just like this on a daily basis. Family and friends struggle to understand how it is that you cannot do the simplest tasks when to their eyes nothing seems to be wrong with you. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve had to say I can’t do that. It seems over and over again to the same people. Unfortunately, it is up to you to communicate your condition to those around you. Educating them on the medical aspects makes the most sense.

Some will roll their eyes, some will react with anger, and some will just walk away. It's up to you to draw your own boundaries. I found it helpful to keep in mind, however, that regardless of their reaction, my disability scares them every bit as much and scares me.