Invisible disability is a metaphor used by people worldwide to describe chronic illnesses and conditions that are not visible at first glance but significantly affect a person’s lifestyle. Visual disabilities are usually less stigmatized than invisible ones because it is harder for people to understand them. People may be unaware of someone else’s illness and harm, but this ignorance does not exempt them from responsibility for accidental physical or psychological damage. It is believed that invisible disability is present in many people, so it is necessary to spread information about it and make society more tolerant and capable of treating people properly.
The event But You Seem Fine: A Glimpse Into Invisible Disabilities was held online, discussing the problems people face because of their invisible disabilities and looking for a rational approach to working with them. Speakers at the event included women, professors, and educators who have invisible disabilities or are involved in activities to support people with such disabilities. The event was hosted by Robin Cunconan-Lahr, an adjunct professor in special education programs. She was in charge of the event and also provided helpful information on how to advocate for your rights (Cunconan-Lakr). The panel included several women who either presented on their disabilities and how they cope with them or how to support people with invisible disabilities properly.
Rebecca Martin, Associate Professor of English, was the first speaker and contributed to understanding the stigma of invisible disabilities. Rebecca drew attention to how the term should be interpreted and how to start working with stigma (Cunconan-Lakr 00:08:18-00:08:45). The woman also reported on what questions would be correct when communicating with people with disabilities and why they would allow understanding of their socio-cultural experience better.
Leann Cocca, assistant professor of academic literacy, talked about how to deal with the manifestations of her disease. The woman was diagnosed with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, for which she had undergone several surgeries and had difficulty having children. The disease was found early enough that Leann got help in time. However, she is now forced to be on hormone replacement therapy for the rest of her life, which allows her to be physically active and maintain vitality. Leann believes that the invisibility of her illnesses does not cancel out the difficulties she faces: in particular, she pays attention to her mental health (Cunconan-Lakr 00:13:58-00:14:23). It is essential for a woman the fact that she is coping with life’s difficulties is not a compliment because, in this way, her identity is destroyed.
Chris Armstrong, Professor of communication, also talks about her invisible disabilities: acts of microaggression. They, like mosquito bites, arise from the constant pressure and carelessness of people when they ask specific questions. Chris talked about the many stereotypes that increase the risk of developing acts of microaggression. In particular, she highlights inappropriate questions, unreasonable support, and help that no one asked for (Cunconan-Lakr 00:24:00-00:24:25). Chris also mentions that questions about sexualization and personalization are the most uncomfortable because they diminish the importance of a person as an individual; many other speakers agree with her on this.
Beth Ritter-Guth, Associate Dean of online learning & educational technology, tells her story of how she became an ally for her child and why she sees it as her mission. Beth talks about how her son struggled with life right after he was born and how much it impacted them. She says she has post-traumatic stress disorder and constant anxiety over the theoretical possibility of losing her child. Beth believes that all people need support, even if, on the surface, they seem normal. Her anxiety level can be high even if it is not outwardly apparent, but that does not mean you can deny the problem.
Alfreida Smith Kelts, assistant professor of English, at Monroe, has compiled a clear and understandable presentation on behaving if one wants to be an ally for people with invisible disabilities. She mentions that comparisons with other people are the most uncomfortable and incorrect: and the importance of the disease is reduced (Cunconan-Lakr 00:41:05-00:42:00). In addition, she suggests looking for new solutions to support strategies: it is not enough to express sympathy because it will not help people with the disease cope with social pressure. Alfreida is also convinced that creating a sense of community and a common struggle with the problem will significantly change attitudes toward invisible disabilities.
In conclusion, I would like to share my impressions of the lecture I watched: I was struck by how openly the women talked about the problem. Their invisible disabilities cause them stress and bother them, but they cope with them thanks to communication and an appropriate attitude to the problem. Each speaker was calm and interested in proving that disability is just a part of life and not some specific depressing feature. I enjoyed Chris Armstrong’s talk: I learned about the terms used for this micro-pressure and how to deal with it. I also found Alfreida Kelts’ presentation very helpful: now I know how to behave appropriately. Ethnicity in the context of sociological currents in America is a complex issue that has to do with invisible disabilities. One might think that ethnicity does not exist in America; still, it does – even if invisible at first glance.
Work Cited
Cunconan-Lakr, Robin. “But You Seem Fine: A Glimpse Into Invisible Disabilities.” Zoom, 2021.