What is the Neuro Invisible? For many, the concept of disability conjures images of visible impairments. But what about the disabilities we can’t see? The Invisible Disabilities Association (IDA) is dedicated to raising awareness of these often-overlooked conditions, including those that impact the brain. In a recent episode of IDA’s “Brain IDEAS” program, hosted by […]
Hard to believe it is 2025 already. We founded the Invisible Disabilities Association over 29 years ago and so many things have changed since then. I think of 9-11 and the impact felt around the world. Since 1996 we’ve had wars and pandemics and devastating hurricanes and apocalyptic fires and so many other dramatic impacts […]
Oftentimes in order to move forward, we need to look back. The Invisible Disabilities Association was founded in 1996. What was the reason for the founding of IDA? People would see my wife, Sherri get out of our car in an accessible spot and since she was not in a wheelchair, they would yell at […]
Disability ID Symbol Available in Colorado Overcoming disability discriminations with voluntary, government approved Disability ID Symbol and Database Legislation DENVER, COLORADO July 2022 – Coloradans living with invisible disabilities who may not be able to effectively communicate with first responders or law enforcement officers in emergency or tense situations now have a voluntary option to […]
Today is a very special day. Today, July 18th, is my wife, Sherri Connell’s birthday! I have been wondering how I can honor Sherri and show her how truly grateful I am for her. It is hard to believe we met almost 30 years ago. On March 21st of 1992 to be exact, Sherri walked […]
There are millions of people nationwide who receive SSDI or SSI disability benefits who are unaware of a special ‘return to work’ program created by the Social Security Administration (SSA). This program offers a gradual approach, free job placement help, and many protections and safety nets for disability and medical benefits. Sound too good to […]
I’m sitting at my home office desk where I have been for the past 10 weeks. It is hard to imagine I am experiencing some of the same emotions and impact as the entire population on earth. I remember hearing from my parents about their parents and how World War I and World War II […]
Since COVID-19 was announced as a pandemic, many employers across the nation have had to reconfigure how they do business and do so very fast. This means that hiring for short and long term positions is exploding for many businesses who are trying to meet the new demands. This also means job opportunities are expanding […]
In Sickness I’m sitting in a recliner at Porter Hospice in Denver. I have sat here many times over the past four months. In a few days, Carole Mitchell, my mother-in-law will pass from this world into heaven and eternity. She will fall into the arms of her Savior and have no more tears, sickness […]
National Disability ID Improves Interaction with Law Enforcement, First Responders “Nobody should have to worry about being gunned down by police, or attacked by security staff, just because there was a misunderstanding”, says Athena Stevens, a contributor at The Mighty. This worry extends to families and loved ones of persons living with invisible disabilities like […]
Disability Employment Awareness Month Reminded Us to Make the Most of Ticket to Work October marked the annual occurrence of Disability Employment Awareness Month (DEAM) in the U.S., where organizations nationwide work to educate the public on the value and necessity of a workforce that includes people with disabilities, as well as the challenges faced […]
Alaska adopts voluntary invisible disability designator on ID card/Driver’s License JUNEAU, AK – In partnership with the Invisible Disabilities Association, the state of Alaska Legislature authorized their DMV to provide a method for a person to voluntarily designate on a driver’s license or identification card, a discreet symbol that identifies a person with a medically […]
How do you go about defining invisible disability? Is it a specific illness or condition, such as multiple sclerosis, fibromyalgia, bipolar disorder, diabetes, a Chiari malformation or syringomyelia? Is it the symptoms of an illness or disability, such as pain or fatigue or neuropathy or brain fog? Why do we even use the phrase? Where […]
Wired Together, a brain retraining and neuroplasticity symposium was hosted by Brain IDEAS. Neuroplasticity, brain training, brain-based therapy, rewire your brain, brain mapping, eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR), mindfulness, and therapeutic humor. Microbiome, unconscious mind, attention deficit disorder (ADD), attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism, dyslexia, Alzheimer’s, Down syndrome, nutrition, and stroke. Post-traumatic stress […]
Resolve to Believe Even Though You Might Wonder How Someone Who Looks So Good Can Be So Sick Resolve to believe. As yet another year dawns and, of course, I need to make at least one resolution. The good news is that I know I can keep this one. I resolve to believe you! I […]
I’ve noticed one thing everyone is talking about nowadays is the brain. Sometimes the discussion centers on frontal lobes, brain stems, neurological pathways and wiring and firing. Other times we are in search of finding out if we are right-brained or left-brained. Psychology.about.com states: According to the theory of left-brain or right-brain dominance, each side […]
“I can’t believe how strong you are!” “I can’t believe how hard you keep fighting!” “You are so courageous!” “You amaze me!” Believe it or not, it is all too common for a person living with a continuing illness or pain to be treated as if they are not positive enough, do not try hard […]
Yes, I’m one of the 72 percent of online adults who visit Facebook at least once a month. Actually, I check my Facebook multiple times a day. There were more than 1.4 billion active Facebook users worldwide as of January 28 and more than 890 million use it daily. And of course I use Twitter too, […]
A diabetic, a blind man and an amputee walk into a bar. The bartender says, “What is this – some kind of joke?” Having a disability is no joke according to IDA Advisory Board Member and Neurohumorist expert, Karyn Buxman, RN, MSN. “But it can be a laughing matter. Pain, suffering, isolation, stress, depression, financial hardships […]
I am sure you have heard of the phrase, “Well at least you have your health.” People use these words as encouragement after a tragedy or loss of a friend or loved one or maybe even for themselves. Yet, what if you don’t have your health? What if life has thrown you a curve ball […]
