{"id":6239,"date":"2016-12-28T10:15:45","date_gmt":"2016-12-28T15:15:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ioadvisory.com\/?p=6239"},"modified":"2019-09-22T16:47:58","modified_gmt":"2019-09-22T20:47:58","slug":"silent-suffering-invisible-disabilities","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ioadvisory.com\/blog\/silent-suffering-invisible-disabilities\/","title":{"rendered":"Silent Suffering \u2013 The Struggle of Invisible Disabilities"},"content":{"rendered":"

All your life you\u2019ve been viewed as an \u2018able-bodied\u2019 person. You don\u2019t worry about navigating the world in terms of accessible spaces, ramps leading to public buildings, or being aware of laws like the Disability Discrimination Act<\/a> (DDA). So far you\u2019ve been fortunate right?\u00a0 This may not be entirely accurate. Disability isn\u2019t always visible; in fact, it can be so complex and elusive that even the affected person may not realize they are facing unequal challenges every day.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"Silent<\/a>

Silent Suffering – the Struggle of \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Invisible Disabilities<\/p><\/div>\n

Pain is pain, and disabilities can be visible or invisible<\/span>\u00a0<\/em><\/strong><\/h2>\n

Maybe you have thought sitting in front of your computer\u2026 \u201cI\u2019m lazy and need to work harder, just focus.\u201d Meanwhile, you\u2019re unaware that you\u2019ve developed a physical ailment such as chronic fatigue syndrome. This is not uncommon, as many people rise each day with a subtle sickness or vague pain that not even the doctor can diagnose. Silent suffering constantly surrounds us; it could be that wincing woman walking to work with a migraine, or the man who is breathing through a panic attack on the bus. Chronic pain, undiagnosed conditions, and mental illnesses are some of the most common invisible disabilities that are not discussed, and thus stay hidden in the workplace. Often the fear is that the person who is suffering will be perceived as weak and incapable of doing their job.<\/p>\n

<\/h2>\n

\u201cThe mind is like an iceberg; it floats with one-seventh of its bulk above the water\u201d – Sigmund Freud <\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n

Invisible disabilities are layered, and peeling them back can be as tear-provoking as it is with an onion.\u00a0 Often people avoid the problem or are unable to recognize it, especially if it has been part of their life for as far back as they can recall.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Maybe it started with school, being unable to speak in front of your peers, or you didn\u2019t understand the teachers\u2019 written instructions? And now as an adult, you feel the co-worker in the cubicle beside you seems faster at typing, while you sit biting your bottom lip attempting to finish work that was due yesterday. You probably have settled with the depressing notion that you just aren\u2019t smart enough but \u2026 perhaps you haven\u2019t been fair to yourself?<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

<\/a><\/p>\n

\u201cA mind is a terrible thing to waste\u201d – Arthur Fletcher<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n

You may not have dared to ask yourself \u201cDo I have a learning disability?\u201d\u00a0 Maybe because you think someone would have detected dyslexia or dysgraphia while you were a child or in college \u2026 right? The truth is people who suffer from learning disabilities usually craft skills to learn in alternative and disguised ways. This can be time-consuming and exhausting. Years trying to read things in what others deemed an appropriate time, like a lengthy menu, the back summary of a book, a one-page contract, a job application, all these tasks can be tiresome. And, the secret battle with letters, numbers becomes a private disgrace to face alone, but it doesn\u2019t have to be. Time is of the essence to get proactive and find a better way to function and improve your work and personal life.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

If you relate to any of these issues seeking support is essential \u2026 and it will bring you some long-overdue relief. Knowing where you stand by getting an assessment or diagnosis may be a wise step. Armed with this new information, it may be easier to identify new or revise current career goals. You may also gain insight on how best to proceed with the benefit of appropriate workplace accommodations, assistive devices, etc.<\/p>\n

<\/h2>\n

Next Steps<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n