Insights, Blogs & News
Imagine with IDA Special Guest, Lori Frisher
Lori Frisher, a woman who has lived with moderate to severe hearing impairment, shared her thoughts on living with invisible disability as a Special Guest at the 2011 Invisible Disabilities Association Honor Awards Banquet. Lori said, “Imagine the invisible disability: Not hearing the sounds of a kiss or child’s voice, let alone your own voice.” Lori has been an Honor Student, two time cancer survivor and she was recently an Emmy Nominee for her documentary as the first recipient of the Esteem Implant, along with the Cochlear Implant she already had. Since receiving the Esteem Implant, Lori added, “All the […]
Fearless: Service Dogs Offer Hope and Peace of Mind
I subscribe to a blog called Fear-Less. It’s about taking charge of your life … moving through fear to the truth … which is never words and is always the feeling. Fear-less means having less fear, but FEARLESS … well that means intrepid, brave, daring and courageous. All synonyms for people living with an invisible disability—every second of every day. IDA, the Invisible Disabilities Association, has a new motto: Invisible No More. And, to do that … to be that, you have to be FEARLESS. One way to be invisible no more is to show up to life every day […]
Invisible No More: Jodie Akers
Through the project, Invisible No More! the Invisible Disabilities Association is bringing awareness, compassion and belief to millions living with debilitating conditions, shining a light on the “invisible” and making these valuable, incredible people Invisible No More! This video features the story of Jodie Akers, a young lady in the United Kingdom who lives with POTS (Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome). In the midst of her challenges, Jodie loves to encourage and educate others through her YouTube Channel and her website, POTS Awareness. UPDATE: Jodie’s story was published in the Derby Telegraph on November 28, 2011. Jodie wants to make people aware […]
Mold Inspection for Apartment
Two of our older children moved to their own apartment recently—yet another sign that we are progressing, albeit ever so slowly. Transitioning to a new environment brings with it a level of stress and anxiety. How can we be sure it’s mold-free? What about the chemical aspect? The apartment was worth pursuing since it was all electric and only a year old, with no history of water damage. During the walk-through we detected only a faint chemical smell. No plug-ins, no heavy fragrances, and no musty smell. A good, safe home environment should smell like nothing. The good news about […]
Falling Off the Mountain of Trauma
Have you ever been in a car accident or known someone who has? Have you ever experienced another type of accident that either injured you or left you fearful? Have you ever had, or know someone whose had a serious health condition or one that scared you? Most of us can identify with one of these situations. By definition, you’ve lived through trauma, which is defined as a wound or shock produced by sudden physical injury or an experience that produces psychological injury or pain. When you hear the word “trauma”, what comes to your mind? Most people would picture […]
Photographer Uses Her Camera to Tell Matt’s Story
Freelance Photographer, Ilona Berzups, had been spending time at Tent City 3, one of three Seattle area homeless encampments. Ilona said, “I’m a photographer and my storytelling tool is my camera. I have a deep interest in humanizing those who are beaten down and marginalized in society, a deep interest in re-sensitizing people to their less fortunate neighbors by making it personal.” Matt had been homeless for much of his adult life and living in a tent at this camp for the past three. Although Ilona had been visually documenting the camp and getting to know the residents for about a year, […]