Invisible Disabilities In The Workspace

Why I will not take no for an answer... I think it is because I live with a permanent invisible disability and for the first few years of becoming sick I was not believed by the system that is supposed to support you and be there when you need it the most. 

I fought for my life many times, while people around me still told me that I ‘looked fine’. 

I was surrounded by a world that relied on physical external evidence before they could treat me with worth and dignity. 

We live in a world where not everything is as it seems. 

It is estimated that around 12 million people are misdiagnosed each year. It is also estimated 40,000 people die because of mis-diagnosis. The reality of it is if we stopped being so judgmental, and if we truly listened to each other we could save lives and improve the quality of a lot of them. 

We live in an anonymous age. In the workspace unfortunately disability can still be seen as a weakness, it can make someone feel like the odd one out due to chronic inequality, but working hard and effectively comes naturally for someone with a disability. Both require strong leadership skills, the ability to adapt, emotional intelligence, patience, empathy, sacrifice, and the capability to fight. 

In a busy and time-pressed environment at work, it can be hard to disclose needs, and conveying what may make your work experience better, but everyone should have the opportunity to be authentic and to thrive.

We fight for people with visible disabilities to seen beyond their disability. With invisible disabilities, we fight to be seen as someone with a disability and for that to be respected.

But at the end of the day, it’s not complicated. Respect us all,

Listen, empathize, be patient… and please, do not suggest herbal remedies.