An “Invisible Epidemic”

In a report to congress, the CDC called traumatic brain injuries an “invisible epidemic.”

Based just on these pictures, would you guess that I had sustained a traumatic brain injury and spinal chord injury?

In these pictures, I am in a different environment.

Looking at the first set of pictures, you might not have guessed that I had survived a traumatic brain and spinal cord injury. I have what is frequently called an “invisible” disability. I generally look normal; I don’t have crutches or something that visibly marks me. However, I have constant neck pain, among a litany of other symptoms that are not visible to most. Physical pain is not easily measured or easily seen. 

In my case, having a hidden or “invisible” disability has been a source of pain. People look at me and say that at least I look great! They can question your credibility or integrity. I have so many stories where classmates—or even strangers—see me using an accommodation and proceed to question whether I have a disability. Stereotypes of people with disabilities can limit the individual’s ability to seek the appropriate help, treatment and accommodations. These stereotypes are to a degree prevalent in the medical field as well.

The World Health Organization has claimed that patient profiling and diagnostic overshadowing is a human rights emergency. I personally have experienced this discrimination, as I sought treatment for my traumatic brain injury. While there are many doctors that do listen, there have been quite a few that I have seen who have disregarded my physical pain. This prevalent issue of believability that prevents patients from getting the health care they need disproportionately effects women, children, and people of color.

By discounting women suffering from these illnesses as being “emotional” or people with brain injuries as being “lazy,” we aren’t just hurting the patient, but we are hurting the medical field. We need to pay attention to these illnesses and encourage everyone to step forward, so we can provide the best support and make opportunities more equitable, and so we can maximize our chances to capture data critical towards finding effective treatments. 

It is important to note that some people who suffer from traumatic brain injuries do present visible symptoms—which can be devastating, especially in light of the prevalence of stereotypes.

We are all unique. We all think differently, act differently, and if we hit our head the symptoms can manifest differently. We are all capable of different things, which is one reason why generalizing people with disabilities can be inaccurate, hurtful and unfair.

A 2002 US Census found that 96% of people with an illness characterize that illness as invisible.

In light of this statistic, I would encourage us all to be compassionate with others. We may not share the exact same struggles or experiences, but we can all share in extending empathy and care to others. We may not be able to see everyones’ points of pain or challenge, but we can listen to their voices, and use our hearts to respond.