When we think of someone who is disabled, we expect to see someone in a wheelchair, or with crutches. We might also think they carry a white cane indicating blindness but we expect to “see” the disability. If we cannot see it, obviously a person is not disabled but that is a fallacy.
I work with a woman who is legally 80% disabled due to issues with her neck, both shoulders, and both knees. Looking at her you’d think she was not disabled. She looks perfectly fine. I know another person who was in a head on collision. Both heels were pulverized, the heart was damaged enough he suffered congestive heart failure and some traumatic brain injury. If you saw him now, his heels have healed well enough that he is able to walk well most days. His heart is pumping much better and his thinking is clearer but there are days he gets frustrated because his brain isn’t working quite right.
If you looked at either person as they stepped out of their cars parked in handicapped parking, you might call the police to report them for illegally parking. Even with the permanent plates, you might not believe they qualified.
Both of these people are legally handicapped yet they may not look it. They are members of the group with invisible disabilities, disabilities you do not see. Sometimes we have to accept the disabilities even though we cannot “see” them.
Do not swear at them thinking them liars. Do not key their cars in protest because you think them faking. Do not push them because you could hurt them. Just because the disability is not visible, it does not mean they are not.
Great thoughts here. I work with many people who have very obvious disabilities, but also some for whom their disability is more invisible. My own mum, who had a brain bleed a few years ago, and now has a parking permit for the disability zone, sometimes gets weird looks because she can drive a car into the parking spot herself - but walking far is what's difficult for her. A good reminder of the need not to jump to conclusions!!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for the comment. It is really something most people do not think about. If you can't see it, its invisible.
DeleteYes, so many issues are not visible. Thanks for your post.
ReplyDeleteThank you for stopping by to read it. I suspect more issues are invisible than visible.
DeleteA very interesting subject for your post. You are right so many people suffer badly yet they can look healthy. It is strange and we don't want to cause them to suffer more by questioning their integrity.
ReplyDeleteWe would like to feature your post on the next Blogger's Pit Stop.
Kathleen
Thank you for your featuring this.
DeleteThis is very true with people who have therapy dogs. Just because we can't "see" their disability, doesn't mean its not there. Its a good lesson in empathy and not jumping to conclusions. Thanks for such a great post :)
ReplyDeleteThank you for stopping by and reading this entry.
DeleteI appreciate what you have brought light to here. It is important that people see more than what is obvious.
ReplyDeleteI know people who are disabled but do not look it. I wanted to make people aware.
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