what is an invisible disability?

my name is Sabrina Moran and I live with an invisible disability.

what is an invisible disability?

According to the Invisible Disability Association an invisible disability is defined as "a physical, mental or neurological condition that is not visible from the outside, yet can limit or challenge a person’s movements, senses, or activities". Unfortunately, the very fact that these symptoms are invisible can lead to misunderstandings, false perceptions, and judgments.

I have two main categories of my disability: gastrointestinal disorders and seizure like activity. Notice that I did not name any specific disorders as I am currently undiagnosed. This lack of diagnosis does not make my disability any less real or any less distressing.

why raise awareness for invisible disabilities?

The misconception of these disabilities comes from the name "invisible". Like air, or dare I say God, sometimes the the invisible things can be the most powerful. When most people hear the word disability they think wheelchair or walker. While this is a disability it is only one type of disability: a visible disability. A disability limits a person's actions. Although I am not in a wheelchair or a walker, I have experienced fits of dizziness and fatigue that have prevented me from walking back from campus to my apartment. I do not say this to compare my disabilities to others or look for sympathy, but rather as a way to show that just because someone doesn't look "disabled" does not mean they do not experience a limiting condition.

This awareness breeds understanding which breeds empathy. As I said in my last post, I do not expect people to ever have to go through my symptoms in order to fully understand my condition. What I want is for people to be informed and ask questions so that they can better understand my condition. In sharing my experience with an invisible disability, I hope to help breed that understanding.

Like everyone else, I long to be seen. My condition is an important part of me. In understanding my condition, you can understand a piece of me.

Longing to be known.

--Sabrina