Invisible disabilities
ple a person with a hearing impairment may not hear safety instructions or warnings that are given verbally.
Symptoms are not obvious, which causes people to think that a person with an invisible disability is faking it: a person with chronic fatigue would for example be labelled as lazy.
Sometimes job applicants do not disclose their disabilities to employers because there is a stigma towards people with disabilities in the workplace. People with invisible disabilities often suffer in silence so they can be accepted by society.
Ellen* has chronic pain due to nerve damage in her spinal cord. She says, “I have suffered in silence because I have been deeply hurt by rejection. Everyone including my family denies that a serious problem exists.”
Many kinds of invisible disabilities exist and the symptoms range from mild to severe.
A person who thinks they have invisible disabilities should talk to a health care provider for diagnosis and appropriate treatment. Treatment varies and can range from pain medication for chronic pain to hearing aids for hearing impairments.
It is also a good idea to form or join a support group, where people with similar challenges can relate to one another and support one another.
A person with invisible disabilities should also continue to talk to people close to them about their experiences, so these people can understand and support them during their journey of recovery. Mandisa* has a sleep disorder that can cause her to fall into a trance without warning. She says, “Telling your story is the first step to creating meaningful relationships and building a strong support system.”
*Not their real names.
• You can speak to your local health care provider or contact Disabled People South Africa (DPSA) for more information on this topic: www.dpsa.org.za 021 422 0357. Nathan Ferreira is a practitioner in inclusive education and a proponent of inclusive communities. disABILITIES is a monthly column. natjfer@yahoo.com