Not All Disabilities Are Visible
As we celebrate Arthritis Awareness Month this May, it’s a powerful reminder to look beyond the surface and understand that not all disabilities are visible.
People often say, “You don’t look sick,” or question why someone is parking in a handicap spot. These comments stem from a lack of awareness about invisible illnesses—conditions that aren’t immediately apparent but profoundly impact lives.
Living with a hidden disability means experiencing daily battles that many would never see. I don’t look sick in the traditional sense—I just live with chronic pain caused by arthritis in most of my body. Every day, I tolerate discomfort that many would find unbearable. It’s a constant struggle to manage pain, especially when doctors refuse to give you anything for pain. So I have learned to battle through stay strong, and keep moving forward, even when exhaustion weighs heavily on me from pain.
I find it unfair to many who truly are in pain and are responsible humans and still we are forced to suffer.
It seems that all of the doctors go to cure all or steroids whether it’s a steroid injection or a corticosteroid pill what they fail to tell you is steroids are not good for your bones so to me personally in my own opinion only it seems like a catch 22 here’s a steroid to help inflammation But yet as I give you these pills, just know that I can increase your chances of osteonecrosis, osteoporosis, they can also help thin the skin just what we don’t want, and also let’s not forget it can increase your risk of coma, cataracts, weight gain water retention higher blood sugar levels so you’re trying to come back inflammation that seems to be chronic inflammation but that’s OK. I have another steroid but nope sorry you can’t take a pain pill because it’s addictive.
Then the best part is is you suffer all the side effects these doctors know you live with chronic pain some days. It’s hard to move. Let alone go exercise for hours. What am I supposed to do? Stay in a pool for five hours a day I don’t have time for that nor do I have the money to go to a place where I could do that, however All they wanna seem to do is preach lose 25 pounds lose that extra 35 pounds you’ll feel better well here’s a newsflash people I lost over 100 pounds. Yes I’ve got a good 40 to go but you know what that hundred plus pounds to you guys don’t mean squat because you keep preaching but you’re not helping me at all.
I don’t pay to go to a primary care to a specialist to get preached to instead of nitpicking on this and that and that and this why don’t you actually listen to people when they’re speaking and try to understand that you can’t exercise when it feels like somebody has poker going through your feet and you’re in a walking boot or why keep putting people on steroids when it’s not helping now they’re throwing the word gabapentin in my vocabulary medicine repertoire and I’m really not interested. Will I try it of course have I tried it in the past. Yes I did several years ago. It did nothing. In fact it made me depressed
But because these doctors don’t believe anything you say, especially here in the state of Florida I swear everybody thinks you’re a liar down here you do what you’re told and then you have to prove them different. I hate the medical care in Florida.
I think it sucks to be perfectly honest And my goodness HMO they are really terrible if you have the chance to get an HMO or a PPO in my opinion go with the PPO because an HMO you have to get your doctors permission for every little detail and then if they don’t want to do it you’re screwed. It’s like Mother may I with your health.
Give me a break
The medical profession really believes- It’s ok to prescribe steroids for inflammation and give injections that actually speed up the break down of the bone. But nope no pain meds for you. I like how they argue with you that a pain medication isn’t going to help you when it does. I’m not saying to be on them every day. Of course you build up a tolerance like you do anything else, but when somebody is in severe pain I don’t see the harm and prescribing 4 to 10 pills to help him with the pain But no they’d rather give you weeks of steroids or injection or gabapentin which is a seizure medication that also treats nerve issues.
They don’t believe that you’ve been on this road before, you’re dealing with osteoarthritis and all these other bone enjoying issues for over 32 years I know my body better than any physician I know what helps. I know what doesn’t I know what makes me feel better for a temporary portion of the day and I know what makes me feel so sad and depressed. I don’t wanna leave the house..
All they say is …Here have another steroid ! Steroids can inhibit the bone-building cells (osteoblasts) and reduce the synthesis of bone-forming proteins, slowing down bone remodeling.
My story spans decades. At 29 I was told I was too young to have osteoarthritis, yet diagnosed at 31 with OA in many areas of my body.
So here I am, 32 years later, still navigating a complex web of pain and stiffness . I’ve battled osteoarthritis in both hands, both knees, my spine, and more recently, in my feet. I’ve also been living with osteonecrosis in my right knee for 11 years what is Osteonecrosis? GLAD YOU ASKED
Avascular necrosis (AVN), also known as osteonecrosis in the knee is a condition where bone tissue dies due to insufficient blood supply. This can lead to weakening, collapse, and potential joint deterioration. The condition can cause pain and limited range of motion. Mine stemmed from a medial meniscus tear in 2013.
And for years have endured the pain, discomfort, pins, and needles that accompany my bilateral pars fracture in my spine since 2010 — a journey from spondylolysis to spondylolisthesis at my L5 S1 vertebra, which remains a constant source of pain and difficulty.
All these conditions killed my opticianry career at age 51. I was put on permanent disability.
Living with these conditions means I often go unnoticed physically, but that doesn’t mean I’m not fighting battles every day. Behind every smile, there might be a story of resilience, perseverance, and quiet strength.
This month, let’s take a moment to educate ourselves and others. Understand that not all disabilities are visible, and compassion can make a world of difference. Respect and kindness should extend to everyone, regardless of whether their struggles are visible.
Judging People Doesn’t Tell the Whole Story
It’s sad how often people judge others based on appearances sadly even doctors do this I’ve seen it firsthand.
Just because someone looks “normal” doesn’t mean they aren’t facing challenges. Just like when you see somebody who’s heavy fat obese whatever you wanna call it most people assume they’re lazy when they’re not same with when you see somebody who’s too thin you think they’re on drugs or the anorexic when they are not we’re always ready to judge people
I have several bone and joint issues that make daily life difficult, yet I look fine on the outside. Others might have disabilities like PTSD, use artificial limbs, or hide their struggles intentionally.
Remember, disability isn’t always visible. If you see someone with a handicap placard in their car, don’t assume they’re “faking” or just using it for convenience. Judging others without knowing their story is unfair and hurtful. Compassion and understanding go a long way.
Let’s stop making assumptions—everyone has their own battles, visible or not.
Remember — behind every smile, there may be experiences of resilience, chronic pain, frustration, despair, isolation, and also strength, empowerment .
Let’s foster a culture of understanding and support, especially during Arthritis Awareness Month.
#ArthritisAwarenessMonth #InvisibleDisabilities #CompassionMatters
Joint Purpose 