We were immediately drawn into an article written by Brooklyn-based journalist Ed Cara chronicling the experience of twin sisters — Ariella and Sarah Cohen of Philadelphia — plagued with a mysterious array of undiagnosed symptoms that drove them regularly to the emergency room from childhood. Now in their 20’s, the young women suffer from chronic […]
The Invisible Disabilities Association (IDA) today released the new LIVE performance by Mandy Harvey and Pete Ohlin, “Together.” This special song brings hope to people living with invisible disabilities. The song was created to bring awareness and encouragement to millions who live with illness, pain and injury around the world. Share the video! Download the single, “Together!” A […]
People want to know about your illness, so they ask you. You explain it, but they still refuse to believe you. You think, ‘You just asked me and I just told you.’ They are thinking, ‘But they look OK on the outside.’ “The truth is, no one really knows what the illness or injury has […]
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 […]
“Some disabilities are more obvious than others. Many are immediately apparent, especially if someone relies on a wheelchair or cane. But others — known as ‘invisible’ disabilities — are not. People who live with them face particular challenges in the workplace and in their communities,” said National Public Radio (NPR). “You know, it’s that invisible […]
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 […]
Top 10 Blogs of Disability.gov featured Invisible Disabilities Association for the fourth time. IDA Founder and President, Wayne Connell is a regular guest blogger on Disability.blog by Disability.gov. IDA is elated to announce that its blog made the “Top 10 Guest Blogs of 2015.” Wayne and his wife Sherri Connell were thrilled to receive the recognition for the fourth consecutive […]
Acquired Savant, Derek Amato, goes on the air with Colorado and Company’s Host, Denise Plante. Derek talks about invisible disabilities and the Invisible Disabilities Association. He also shares his story of how he is one of only 30 known people who became “Acquired Savants” after a head injury. Derek is the only person known to acquire the […]
The number one question people ask of our organization, the Invisible Disabilities Association is “What is an invisible disability?” The term invisible disabilities refers to the invisible symptoms such as debilitating pain, fatigue, dizziness, cognitive dysfunctions, brain injuries, learning differences and mental health disorders, as well as hearing and vision impairments. These are not always obvious […]
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, […]
Sherri Connell is the wife of Wayne Connell, Invisible Disabilities Association Founder and President and the inspiration for the organization. Sherri led a very active life of singing and dancing in musicals, acting in commercials, modeling in fashion shows, working to put herself through college and riding her horse. Sherri obtained two Bachelor Degrees and […]
Join Antarctic Mike and Angela Pierce as they take you on their amazing and inspirational journey of hurdles, sprints and counting of every little success on the way. You will not want to miss this opportunity to watch this presentation from the 2012 Invisible Disabilities Association Honor Awards Banquet from the comfort of your home. […]
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 […]
I attended a fundraiser in Denver this past week that supported the Carson J Spencer Foundation. The foundation was formed by Dr. Sally Spencer-Thomas to honor her brother Carson who lived with mental illness and eventually took his own life. Many attendees were impacted by suicide including the host, renowned photographer John Fielder, who lost his […]
I broke my arm and … was diagnosed with PTSD and a brain injury, walking around like a zombie in ‘The Walking Dead,’ Jim Stanek recently told TheBlaze. I was isolating myself. I didn’t want to socialize with people … I couldn’t remember things. For me, being a vet with PTSD, I’ve been called a […]
Imagine a world where people have the time to spend with, learn about, and empathize with people faced with an unforeseen catastrophe. Imagine a world where family and friends would unite to take challenges head on while supporting one another through the hardships of life. The synergistic effect of embracing “we” instead of “I” would […]