Disability Pride Month: Rethinking Your Definition of Disability

When you think about the word “disability,” what comes to mind? Close your eyes for a moment, and let your thoughts linger on that word and the images or feelings it might evoke.

The first thing that popped into your head might have been a wheelchair – a physical signifier that someone lives with a disability. However, a lot more people live with disabilities than you might imagine, as many conditions can’t be seen, like ADHD, Crohn’s disease, mental illness, chronic fatigue syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis, and yes – multiple sclerosis (MS). These conditions are known as invisible disabilities or invisible illnesses.

According to the CDC, invisible illnesses affect an estimated 10% of the 61 million Americans who live with a disability.

After my MS diagnosis and learning more about the world of invisible disabilities, I changed not only my perception of others but also my perception of myself. I think about disabilities in a totally different way, and for those who do not live with an invisible illness, I wanted to share what I’ve learned with you:

• Disability doesn’t have a standard look and feel. Doesn’t it kind of blow your mind that 10% of Americans who live with a disability have an invisible illness? For me, this statistic illustrates that so many people are just trying to get through their day while living with a condition that makes some part of their day difficult – and you can’t “see” it. Expand your idea and definition of what disability “looks” like.
• You never really know what’s going on with a person. Try to have compassion and empathy for your fellow humans. Living with a disability – invisible or visible – is challenging, both physically and mentally. (When I’m having a day where it’s all too much, I try to give myself compassion. For my other spoonies out there: please try to do the same!)
• Try not to make a snap judgment – especially when it comes to the handicapped parking space. I’ll admit, I’ve definitely had moments in the past when I’ve been annoyed at seeing someone park in a handicapped parking space and walk out of the car with no visible problems. Since my MS diagnosis, I’ve done a 180: parking closer to the door could be the difference between having energy for the rest of the day or struggling to get through it. The next time you start to feel annoyed or think someone is “faking it”, please try not to judge. That person might need to conserve their energy, or walking too far might be painful.

In honor of Disability Pride Month, which commemorates the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) on July 26, 1990, let’s all try to rethink our definition of disability. Lead with compassion, curiosity, and empathy. Try not to pass judgment. Be kind.