Hi, this is Praful Baweja.
I have an invisible disability.
Um I have ADHD which is Attention uh Deficit Hyperactive Disorder.
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Hi.
My name is Dr Anubha Mahajan.
Uh I live with an invisible disability.
It's a rare chronic neurological condition called CRPS (Complex Regional Pain Syndrome).
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I am Pooja Mehta Nandi and I’m a person with epilepsy.
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Hi everyone, my name is Aarti and I am a PhD Research scholar and I’m also, I’m also living with an invisible disability called Thalassemia.
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My name is Asharao Doshi and I am currently a student in the department of Special Education in SNDT Women’s University and I am a person living with uh learning disabilities and ADHD.
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My name is Abhishek Anicca and I am a writer.
I was born with a rare disease called Vater Syndrome and that means I had I was born with Scoliosis but with an ectopic kidney as well as uh uh imperforated anus.
So, I was operated for it and that has caused lifelong disability and chronic illness.
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Hi!
My name is Anjali Vyas.
I am a person with an invisible disability, Multiple Sclerosis.
So, what really is invisible about this?
Do I look like a disabled to you?
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I am Ayushmita.
I am a Policy Researcher at Centre for Inclusive Policy.
I also live with multiple invisible disabilities.
They are Chronic Depression, Anxiety Disorder and Complex PTSD.
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Some disabilities can be seen and are apparent and some are hidden and invisible.
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So why are we talking about invisible disabilities?
Let me answer that question with an example and experience of my life.
This happened once, that I was at the airport and I wanted to get a wheelchair assistance because I was not able to walk properly because of my condition which is Multiple Sclerosis.
I get spasms in my legs and often times, tingling and numbing sensations.
Which is why sometimes my walk is wobbly and I might even fall down because of the disorientation.
Now if I were to ask for such an assistance at the airport to get a wheelchair, I am mostly questioned, gazed upon from top to bottom, to understand why I need wheelchair assistance.
And it is not just a problem with me as a person with MS.
There are many such conditions that have the same symptoms, similar symptoms that are invisible which make it really difficult for people with these conditions, to even manage everyday actions in their everyday life.
And this is why it’s important that we talk about it more and discuss it, because I just gave you an example of what happens at the airport.
It happens most times that when we are pursuing education in colleges, we need that accommodation.
At times, we might need such support from our teachers, professors or staff that may seem really unreasonable to them because it is not visible, right?
“Your challenge is not that big of a challenge because you don't have a wheelchair.
You are not using a crutch to walk, right?”
But when we talk about cognitive dysfunction where it takes time for us to understand things or respond or react to them, then all these conditions are misunderstood as well and that's why we need to understand that there are many such conditions which are beyond physical impairments, which are beyond (laughs) the very aspects or measure of any physical impairment for a person with disability.
Even when it comes to employment challenges.
If I need a person, or my employer, to provide me with flexible working hours because I can't work the whole day sitting in front of a screen because I have fatigue issue.
I have many friends with blood disorders with similar condition, who, due to fatigue, they can’t do a desk job for a long time.
They might ask for flexible working hours or work-from-home options, right?
Now then if I were to explain my employer that I need that kind of a support, I might be questioned.
I’ll be asked, “You are alright, why do you need flexible working hours? You seem to be fine.” right?
When it comes to extra medical leaves for these conditions, even there we are questioned, right?
But these are our genuine needs and we are most often either neglected or misunderstood.
That's why it’s very important for us to talk about invisible disabilities and understand them in the right manner.
So, Believe in the Invisible.
Believe in the Invisible.
So, Believe in the Invisible.
