Insights, Blogs & News
From Defining Invisible Disability to Invisible No More — What is an Invisible Disability?
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 did it come from? Isn’t a disability just a disability, no matter if you can see it or not? Are people treated differently because their disability manifests itself visibly? Is having a disability different from being disabled? These are all great questions to ask if […]
Wired Together: Brain Retraining and Neuroplasticity
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 disorder (PTSD) and traumatic brain injury (TBI). We hear so many scientific and medical buzzwords today. What do they all mean and why should I care? That is a very good question. I am sure you have heard the phrase, “you can’t teach old dogs […]
People with ‘Invisible Disabilities’ Fight for Understanding – National Public Radio
“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 nature of an illness that people don’t understand,” says Wayne Connell, the founder and head of the Invisible Disabilities Association. He started the group after his wife was diagnosed with Lyme disease and multiple sclerosis. “We’d park in disabled parking and she didn’t use a […]
I Resolve to Believe You
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 resolve to listen and acknowledge the pain and illness you live with daily even though your symptoms might be invisible. For me, the opposite of believing is prejudice. Prejudice defined by Dictionary.com is “an unfavorable opinion or feeling formed beforehand or without knowledge, thought, or […]
Invisible Disabilities Blog Makes Top 10 Guest Blogs for Disability.gov
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 year. “Being recognized in the Top 10 Blogs provides us with the opportunity to bring more awareness and education about invisible disabilities. Thank you to all of IDA’s guest CO-authors and readers who have commented and liked our blogs, showing your support for what the […]
IDA On the Air with Colorado and Company KUSA-TV
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 ability to play an instrument. Derek tells Denise about meeting Jazz Singer, Mandy Harvey and teaming together to product the single, “The Script.” Mandy is an IDA Ambassador who lost her hearing in college. Despite all odds, she continued her love for music and is now […]