Is it Our Job to State Our Disabilities?

Imagine everyone had a backpack on their back. Some carry a kilo, some 5, some 10. How can you tell?

This is what life is like with an invisible illness.

I have a chronic illness that affects my energy levels and ability to focus. On a good day, I can go about my day like anyone else. But on a bad day, I can barely get out of bed.

The problem is, there's no way to tell from looking at me how I'm feeling. I could be having a great day or a terrible day, and you wouldn't be able to tell the difference.

This can be frustrating for me because I often need help or support from others. But I'm hesitant to ask for it because I don't want to be seen as weak or lazy.

I also worry that if I tell people about my illness, they'll treat me differently. They might think I'm not capable of doing things, or they might pity me.

So, what's a person with an invisible illness to do? Do we have to state our disabilities on every occasion we might need help, support, or more patience? Or is it society's role to be more understanding and accommodating?

I think the answer is both.

It's important for people with invisible illnesses to be open about their conditions. This helps to raise awareness and understanding. It also allows us to get the support we need.

But it's also important for society to be more understanding and accommodating. We need to create a world where people with invisible illnesses don't have to feel like they have to hide their conditions.

Here are a few things we can do to make the world more inclusive for people with invisible illnesses:

• Be patient and understanding. Don't judge someone based on their appearance.
• Be willing to offer help. If someone asks for help, don't question them. Just offer your support.
• Be open to learning about invisible illnesses. There are many resources available to help you learn more.
• Advocate for change. Talk to your elected officials about the need for more accommodations for people with invisible illnesses.

We all have a role to play in creating a more inclusive world. By working together, we can make it easier for people with invisible illnesses to live full and productive lives.

I hope this article has given you some food for thought. If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to reach out to me.

Here are some additional thoughts on the topic:

• A sunflower pin or lanyard is a good way to signal to others that you have an invisible illness. However, it's important to remember that not everyone with an invisible illness will want to wear one.
• We can teach people to consider each other's "baggage" by talking about our own experiences with invisible illnesses. We can also educate people about the different types of invisible illnesses.
• It's important to be patient and understanding with people who have invisible illnesses. We don't know what they're going through, so we should give them the benefit of the doubt.
• We should all advocate for change to make the world more inclusive for people with invisible illnesses. We can do this by talking to our elected officials, supporting organizations that work with people with invisible illnesses, and raising awareness about the issue.

I believe that we can all create a more inclusive world for people with invisible illnesses. By working together, we can make a difference.

Read more about the sunflower movment:

https://hdsunflower.com/us/

About me:

?I'm a patient advocate and author with a passion for empowering patients to take control of their health and well-being. I was diagnosed with POTS Syndrome at 27, and my own health journey inspired me to become a leading voice in patient-centered care. I've founded and led numerous initiatives and organizations, including The Patient School and the Israeli Society of POTS and Dysautonomia. I've spoken at more than 100 keynotes in 15 countries, and my work has been featured in TED and media outlets in eight countries. I'm nominated for the 2023 International Healthcare Change Maker Award by HIMSS.