Addressing the challenges of Invisible Disabilities and Social Justice

OVERCOMING THE CHALLENGES OF INVISIBLE DISABILITIES

“YOU CAN RISE UP FROM ANYTHING; YOU CAN COMPLETELY RECREATE YOURSELF. NOTHING IS PERMANENT.

YOU ARE NOT STUCK UNTIL YOU DECIDE TO STOP MOVING FORWARD; YOU CAN THINK NEW!”

         Every individual has their strengths and weaknesses. Life is about leaping over hurdles and expanding our world. Each and every human being has challenges that are unique to their

personal circumstances. 

My principal goal is to help persons living with any kind of health challenges, turn their scars to stars, turning their trials to triumphs and make their dreams come true. If we are willing, determined and consistent, we will soar like eagles beyond every limitation. Our attitude towards every challenge in life determines our altitude. There is absolute need to train the brain to reject every negative energy since that is where the battle is. If we are victorious in the battle field of the Mind, all the “lines” will fall in pleasant places making life more enjoyable.

Many people suffer great pressure and fall through the cracks, due to the fact that they are expected to accomplish tasks that are outside their current abilities. More often, employers, caregivers, family members, educators and even doctors fail to recognize their challenges. In addition to enduring life-altering symptoms, many people with invisible disabilities deal with critical judgments and discrimination due to a lack of understanding.

Without being able to see an indicator, like a wheelchair or crutches, people can dismiss the effects of a medical condition. A misunderstanding of a person’s biological, mental or physiological limitations can seriously strain relationships. Diffuse pain and invisible limitations interfere with relationships, impact family members, limit the accomplishment of daily tasks, and can lead to financial ruin

It is heart wrecking when members of the patient’s own support group doubt the extent of their disability and pain, especially at a time when support is crucial.   Judgments and accusations commonly faced by people with invisible disabilities compounds the frustration of having the illness. People sometimes have difficulty understanding how symptoms such as extreme fatigue, dizziness, pain, and cognitive impairments can be so debilitating to the patient and can even be met with hostility by society at large.

 People with some kinds of invisible disabilities, such as chronic pain or some kind of sleep disorder, are often accused of faking or imagining their disabilities. These symptoms can occur due to chronic illness, chronic pain, injury, birth disorders, just to mention a few and are not always obvious to the onlooker.

Some unjustly conclude that the person with invisible disability is just being lazy; not motivated; they are over-exaggerating their situation or just faking their disability to get empathy, attention and or disability allowance (payments).

It is isolating to realize that some friends and family members doubt the validity of the disability. What these doubters need to understand is that the person who is ill is:       

• Mourning the loss of ability and freedom
• Spending countless hours researching, trying different medications and going from doctor to doctor in hopes of finding a solution
• Mentally broken for no longer being able to do what they love to do
• Battling for their loved one’s belief, respect, understanding and support
• Trying to cope with a myriad of side effects from medications used to treat their disorder.

HELPFUL IDEAS TO OVERCOME THE FRUSTRATIONS OF INVISIBLE DISABILITIES

Let go of expectations

  Surrendering over expectations of others may be a life-long process, but if you have high expectations, you will consistently find that people will always disappoint you. No one is perfect, including you! Remember that you may not understand the difficulties that your friends are going through, whether it’s a divorce, the death of a loved one, a loss job, an ill child, etc. Your illness is significant in your life.

Even when people care, they still will have significant things going on in their own lives. When they don’t meet your expectations, you are definitely going to feel disappointed.

Find supportive friends

If there is anyone in your circle of friendship who is constantly belittling you or suspicious about your pain and disability; anyone beyond listening and instead spreading gossip about how they recently saw you at the shopping mall and you looked perfectly fine; this should be a relationship to let go of. If it is someone like a relative that you will still see occasionally, distance yourself as much as possible. Illness can help us easily prioritize our friendships; that way we can spend our limited energies with those that mean the most to us.

Search for the joy in your blessings

  Instead of dwelling on thinking about how badly you feel, find ways to bring more joy into your life, even if it’s just appreciating the small things.      Explore your passions, what makes you happy and what you are doing when your natural adrenaline seems to take over some of the fatigue, and you have extra energy.

Focus on bringing more color into your life. Don’t let the opinion of others stop you. If you once loved to garden, you could grow a few potted flowers or hire a neighborhood teenager to plant some vegetables and set up an automatic sprinkler system for them. You could even start a garden consulting business. Think beyond what you once did, but find ways to replicate the things you love in new ways.

 Try outdoor games with caring family members, colleagues and friends.

Use your talents and skills for things you care about

If you’re no longer able to work because of your illness, you may feel like your skills are going to waste. Maybe you’ve always wanted to write children’s books or be a business consultant. Find a place to plug in and do some volunteer or part-time work to be able to use these skills in an area where you feel passionate.

Instead of focusing on what others aren’t providing you with that you want so much, follow your dreams and give that gift to yourself.

  If you have always had interest in human rights, empowerment, social justice and global inequality like myself, get registered in a dynamic and passionate humanitarian body, follow the dance steps and make your dreams come true. You will leave a legacy for generations yet unborn. My passion for the well-being of humanity inspired me to join (ADHA/ADHA Empowerment), to assist persons living with diabetes and hypertension; empowering the youth and women all over the world to become a better version of themselves. The sail thus far has been so amazing and fulfilling. I intend to share my experience and insight with World Pulse for a greater impact. One hand cannot tie a bundle.

(TO BE CONTINUED)#socialjustice#globalinequality!