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Copyright
© 2006
The Invisible Disabilities Advocate® All Rights Reserved.
IDA
is a 501(c)(3)
Non-Profit Organization |
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This Article Contains
Excerpts of:
"Disabled? You Don't
LOOK Disabled!"
 Visible? Invisible?
What's the Difference?
Understanding the
Differences and Similarities
Between Having Visible and Invisible
Disabilities.
Copyright ©
2004
The Invisible Disabilities
Advocate
www.InvisibleDisabilities.org
All too often, a person with a visible
impairment is presumed to be unable to complete a task or
participate in an activity. This is quite aggravating and hurtful to that
person, when they are perfectly able to contribute and partake in the deed.
Accordingly, it is just as insidious when a
person explains their debilitating illness, yet people refuse to believe
them, because they look fine on the outside. The disease or injury
may have eaten away or damaged the brain, bones, spine, muscles and nerves,
but because others cannot see the damage for themselves, they
reject the validity of their limitations.
Therefore, do not assume that someone using
a wheelchair cannot do something or that someone not using a wheelchair
can. Most of the time, it is not the wheelchair that keeps people
from working and enjoying activities. Instead, it is the pain, extreme
fatigue and neurological symptoms that limit them.
Below, is a chart of some *general
similarities and dis-similarities between having a disability that is
visible on the outside, versus one that is not visible
from the outside. The purpose is to create a better understanding of the
frustrations, concerns and desires of people living with a disability that
is visible and/or invisible.
|
|
Visible Disabilities |
Invisible Disabilities |
|
General
Description |
Person's
obstacle is visible: use of wheelchair, prosthesis,
walker, oxygen, etc. or they may have loss of limb(s) or sight.
Limitations
may be minor to totally disabling. |
Person's
limitations are invisible from outside, such as
debilitating fatigue, pain, neurological damage, lung
deficiencies, heart problems, etc.
Limitations
may be minor to totally disabling. |
|
Note: A person
may have both visible and invisible disabilities. |
|
Different
Frustrations |
Although the
person may LOOK
unable to complete a task, they are often perfectly
able to participate, with or without limitations.
People
PRESUME they
cannot do something, even when they say they can. |
Although the
person may LOOK
perfectly able to complete a task, they may have many
limitations or may even be totally unable to participate
at all.
People
PRESUME they can
do anything, even when they say they cannot. |
|
Similar
Frustrations |
People
PRESUME they know
what their abilities are by looking at them.
People
DO NOT BELIEVE THEM
when they say they can do something. |
People
PRESUME they know
what their abilities are by looking at them.
People
DO NOT BELIEVE THEM
when they say they cannot do something. |
|
Different Goals |
Convince others
that even though they MAY
NOT look fine, they are dis-ABLED or ABLE
to participate in work or an activity. |
Convince others
that even though they MAY
look fine, they are DIS-abled or UN-able
to participate in work or an activity. |
|
Common Goals |
STRIVE
for Respect, Credibility, Admiration and Belief.
Do not want
to be PREJUDGED
by Outer Appearance.
Desire
ACCESSIBILITY: Right
to enjoy a store, restaurant, recreational area, etc., just like
everyone else. |
STRIVE
for Respect, Credibility, Admiration and Belief.
Do not want
to be PREJUDGED
by Outer Appearance.
Desire
ACCESSIBILITY: Right
to enjoy a store, restaurant, recreational area, etc., just like
everyone else. |
*This chart is a
"generalization" and not meant to be a description
of all cases and
situations!
Neither types of disabilities are worse than
the other. Each person's degree of limitations are varied, despite their
outer appearance. Furthermore, some people fall under both categories,
because they may have a visible impairment as well as an invisible one. For
some it is the visible disabilities that hinder them, for others it is the
invisible ones and for some it is both.
Whether we have a visible or an
invisible disability, we are all striving for respect, understanding,
accessibility and most of all... belief. We do not want others to
prejudge us and be unwilling to hear the truth. Instead, we want people to
listen and treat us like valuable, contributing people with
integrity, courage and strength.
Copyright ©
2004
|
"Visible?
Invisible? What's the Difference?" Copyright
© 2004 The Invisible Disabilities Advocate: www.MyIDA.org.
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and Encouraging People Living with Chronic Illness and Pain! Visit
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