Feeling Unseen: Moving Through Life With An Invisible Disability

Oftentimes when the general public conjures up the idea of a disability, they imagine a physical indicator like a wheelchair, cane, limp, or other physical indicators related to disabilities. Although there are many people who have outward showing disabilities, there are many who whose disability cannot be seen or recognized by any physical sign.

An Invisible Disability Has Real Life Impacts

Invisible disability or hidden disability is an all-encompassing term for those with disabilities that cannot be immediately identifies this can include: Chronic conditions such as Chronic Pain, Crohn’s, Ulcerative Colitis, Fibromyalgia, Mental Illness, Epilepsy, Lupus, Lyme disease, or Endometriosis. According to the World Health Organization, over 15% of the world identifies with having a hidden disability.

It may be frustrating to not have people understand your constant experience of fatigue, pain, dizziness, or cognitive impairments associated with your disability and some can often feel they are met with hostility by society at large.

It’s important to know that even though not all disabilities are visible, this doesn’t mean they don’t exist or do not have major real life impacts on those affected. In 2012, Statistics Canada reported, "an estimated 3.8 million adult Canadians reported being limited in their daily activities due to a disability."

There is an education gap in how many perceive disability and what kinds of inclusions and supports are needed to better address the needs for those living with invisible disabilities.

Take Crohn’s Disease or Ulcerative Colitis:

Many people with one of these illnesses do not show outward signs, but are inhibited when they are experience symptoms. Needing to use washroom facilities more regularly can be challenging especially when businesses have strict “Customer Only” practices for access to their facilities. What is a person to do when there is an emergency related to their condition? This can make someone feel prohibited from leaving the house, travelling, or socializing in normal ways. Employers might see people who have these illnesses as inattentive or distracted in their work, instead of reaching out to understand the best ways to work out the best solutions for their employees who have different needs because of the Crohn’s or colitis.

For many people with invisible disabilities, it can be challenging to discuss, as statements like “You look fine” can often make you feel like your disability is not as important, or even not considered at all. There are several organizations working to garner awareness around this issue, including a recent article and online campaign by Huffington Post which featured photographs and stories of those with invisible disabilities.

Disability Is Not A Defining Feature

Even if there is an attitude that you have to have visible signs to qualify as “disabled” does not take away from the feelings you are experiencing. Disability is not a defining feature of who you are as an individual, but rather a different way of moving throughout the world.

If you are experiencing an invisible disability, know that it’s okay to be seen. Whether at work, with friends, or out in the world, your condition is valid and should you need to get extra support you are entitled to it.

Has your long-term disability claim been denied? Contact Share Lawyers and put our experience to work for you. We offer free consultations and there are no fees unless we win your case. Find out if you have a disability case.

We have recently settled cases against Standard Life, Desjardins, Manulife, RBC Insurance, Sun Life, and much more. Please share your own experience with us, we love hearing feedback from our clients.

Denied your long term disability claim?

Contact Share Lawyers today and put our experience to work for you. Our 35+ years of experience can help you win your case against Canada Life, Desjardins, Manulife, RBC Insurance, Sun Life, and other insurance companies. We offer free consultations and there are no fees unless you win your case. Join us on Facebook and become a Top Fan for a chance to win each month.

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A note from our long term disability lawyers

Taking a medical leave from work is not an easy decision to make. Concerns about providing for yourself and your family and keeping your job may cause you to want to push through your pain, but this won’t make your problems go away. Stopping work is often the smartest decision for your long term health and well-being, and your disability benefits are there to provide you with financial support until you can return to work.

If you have made the tough decision to stop working and apply for your short term disability or long term disability benefits, you may feel overwhelmed by the process and have questions that your employer and your insurance company are not able or willing to answer. Share is There to see you through and answer your questions.

Our Disability law firm knows what you have been going through

We understand that things have not been easy for you over the last little while. Your health has been suffering, you are unable to work, and now your insurance company, who was supposed to be there in your time of need, has decided they will not pay your disability benefits or respect your disability claim. These benefits exist to provide you with the financial support you need so that you can focus on your health and rebuilding your life. It is unfortunate that your insurance company has not lived up to its promise. If your disability claim has been denied, we will fight to get you the benefits you are entitled to. Our disability lawyers have helped thousands of Canadians get their long term disability benefits over the past 35 years, and we can help you too.

Our experienced disability lawyers can fight back on your behalf

Share Lawyers believes that every client who is dealing with a disability claim deserves superior personal service. To achieve that goal, we have developed our team of experienced, compassionate, and caring long term disability lawyers, law clerks, and administrative staff to meet all of your needs. Our team of experienced long term disability, life insurance, employment, and critical illness insurance lawyers have made successful claims against many insurance companies, third-party administrators and employers.

If you are unable to work, your disability benefits should be there to provide you with the financial support you need. While your insurance company may be focused on finding ways to avoid paying your claim, our focus is on what is in your best interest. When Share Lawyers gets involved, you have an entire team of lawyers that are there to support you and to fight for what is yours.

Our disability claim lawyers fight for your disability insurance claim by relying on our many years of experience to apply the best strategic planning and approach in each case, using the latest technology available. Experience matters, and with Share Lawyers, you are in the best hands with 35 years of success on your side.

In this video, we explain the role of a long term disability lawyer and how we can support you when you have been denied your long term disability benefits.