November 4, 2017

INVISIBLE PHYSICAL DISABILITY 101

The saying “You Can’t Judge A Book By It’s Cover” has a literal meaning for those of us with invisible physical disabilities and challenges.

When people think of the term, disability, they mostly picture people in wheelchairs or those using walkers or canes. Those little blue signs designating special parking and larger (usually cleaner) bathrooms are distinctly labeled; wheelchair users can park or pee there.

These assistive devices symbolize to the world that the person using them has either a temporary or permanent physical disability. They are treated differently.

The summer before I started high school (in the dark ages before internet and iPhones ) I had a major operation on both of my legs and had to wear two leg casts and be in a wheelchair for 6 months. It sucked to say the least.

My best friend Stacie used to push me around the hallways at school and at the mall on weekends.