73% of a me ri c a n s living wi t h a s eve re disab i li t y d o n’t use a whee lc ha i r, c a ne , or ot he r form o f mobil i t y a p p a ra t us . treatment for extensive periods of time as a result of feeling the need to prove their illness or disability to their doctors, nurses, or consultants in order to be believed. There’s also plenty of other things that get overlooked, for example any assistance or aid you may require, whether it be on a daily or occasional basis. A wheelchair user may have more obvious requirements, such as needing help reaching something from the top shelf in a supermarket. And yet, when it comes to people who don’t ‘look’ disabled, people don’t give time or consideration for what their needs may be.
with fibromyalgia or a similar condition that causes pain flare-ups, they might be met with, “but you were fine yesterday..?” People living with ME or CFS (Chronic Fatigue Syndrome) might be greeted with “How can you be tired? You’ve only just woken up.” There are a million more examples, but it illustrates the point of how invisible illness or disability is rarely treated the same way as one that’s visible. Invisible illness also often – unfortunately – attracts unsolicited advice, namely from those who believe that someone’s illness can be fixed with a mere lifestyle change. This just goes to show how little regard there is for invisible illness, especially as the same people would think absolutely nothing of going to their doctor for treatment of an ailment that presented itself with physical symptoms. In short: it’s the same thing. Invisible illnesses are just as important to manage and treat as their visible counterparts, and those living with them shouldn’t be left to worry about being dismissed, judged or criticised by society. It can impact all aspects of life, and the stigma surrounding it only makes living with it harder for people. There’s a multitude of facets surrounding the topic of invisible illness and disability, and there are plenty more conversations that need to be had to give people who live with it the respect and understanding that they deserve.
Social impressions and attitudes play a large part in people fighting through their symptoms in silence, or worsening their condition by trying to do things that aggravate it, in a bid to be seen as unfussy, or ‘fine’. This in itself reinforces ableist ideals, but for many with invisible illness, they see it as something they have to do in order to survive. Under the same umbrella, there are throwaway, ignorancebased comments. For someone living with depression, someone might tell them to “cheer up” or “get out more”. For someone
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