Understanding invisible disabilities needs to begin with empathy.
But, sadly, empathy seems to be disappearing here, in the UK.
Invisible Disabilities Week takes place from the 19th to the 25th of October this year. It’s a reminder that what people need is empathy, not ignorance; support, not suspicion; compassion; not cruelty.
Understanding Invisible Disabilities
Millions of people live with an invisible disability such as fibromyalgia, multiple sclerosis, trigeminal neuralgia, diabetes or mental health issues. These conditions aren’t outwardly visible but deeply affect people’s daily lives.
What an Invisible Disability Is Not
It’s not something someone has conjured up in their mind to claim sympathy or benefits.
An invisible disability is real.
Visible and Invisible
I live with trigeminal neuralgia, which is invisible. But I also live with chronic back pain caused by scoliosis — and that’s (annoyingly) very visible.
People can look at my face and have no idea that I live with trigeminal neuralgia. Yet most can tell I’m dealing with back pain due to my posture and the way I walk.
I’m fortunate that nobody has ever doubted or questioned my pain. But I know many people who deal with that daily. They are judged — met with suspicion rather than support.
If you’ve ever felt judged due to people not understanding invisible disabilities, this post might interest you.
Support, Not Suspicion: Understanding Invisible Disabilities
If more people took time to learn about disabilities, perhaps suspicion could be replaced with support.
Misinformation and Public Perception
But here’s the problem: that change will never happen as long as the media and some politicians continue their relentless campaign against people who claim disability benefits.
Their rhetoric is dangerous because it creates damaging myths — and, sadly, the public often believes them.
What Are These Myths?
I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve seen these claims repeated on radio shows, television programs, newspaper reports, social media posts, and, most extraordinarily, in speeches made by politicians. They present the claims as “facts.” Except they’re not facts — they’re myths.
Some of the myths I’ve encountered include:
- Disability benefits are easy to get.
- PIP benefit is thousands of pounds per month.
- People with disability benefits receive £60,000, and they don’t even need a diagnosis.
- Anyone can walk into their GP surgery and request a Motability car.
- People with ADHD, tennis elbow or constipation can get a Motability car.
Note: These myths have appeared in a variety of media outlets and public statements. I am not linking directly to the sources to avoid amplifying harmful content.
The Reality
In reality, the process for claiming any type of disability benefit is degrading, stressful, exhausting, and designed for people to fail. It is far from easy.
Disability benefit claimants definitely do not receive £60,000 in benefits, and people in receipt of PIP do not receive thousands of pounds every month. (Figures are available on the government’s website.)
There is a points-based system that evaluates what a person can and can’t do to qualify for benefits. To receive a Motability car, claimants must achieve the maximum number of points in the mobility section — it’s not automatic and it is certainly not easy.
Disability benefits and Motability cars are not awarded based on the name of any condition. Eligibility depends entirely on functional need, not on diagnosis alone.
The Impact of Those Myths
This suspicion doesn’t just appear in headlines — it filters into everyday life. When journalists and politicians repeat these myths, they’re not just spreading misinformation — they’re spreading mistrust. It’s dangerous. It stirs up animosity.
People who receive disability benefits can sense the judgment. They know eyes are on them, assuming they’re claiming benefits fraudulently. Even small, everyday actions — using disabled parking bays, requesting workplace adjustments, or struggling to cook a simple meal, manage household chores, or cope with personal hygiene — can be met with suspicion or ridicule.
The emotional toll is enormous. Living under constant scrutiny increases stress, anxiety, and isolation, and can make people hesitate to ask for the support they need, even when they are fully entitled to it.
Turning Suspicion Into Understanding
Change is possible — but only if people make change happen. Awareness, education, and empathy can replace suspicion with support, and mistrust with fairness. Invisible Disabilities Week is a reminder that we all have a role to play in seeing what isn’t immediately visible.
Empathy helps. A kind word, a patient smile, or a willingness to listen and show some understanding can make a world of difference to people living with invisible disabilities.
I’ve recently discovered an excellent resource where people can learn how to support those with invisible disabilities. This free Udemy course by Fatigue Force offers practical guidance on creating understanding and compassionate interactions.
By taking even small steps to educate ourselves, we contribute to a society where people are believed, respected, and supported, regardless of what others can or cannot see.
Understanding Invisible Disabilities — Quite Simply, it’s About Empathy
Invisible disabilities are real, complex, and often misunderstood. The myths that circulate in the media and politics don’t just misinform — they create suspicion, stigma, and unnecessary suffering for millions of people.
But we can change that narrative. By choosing empathy over judgment, support over suspicion, and fairness over mistrust, we can make daily life a little easier for those living with conditions that aren’t always visible.
This Invisible Disabilities Week, please take a moment to reflect, listen, and learn, because your support matters. Small acts of understanding — whether it’s a kind word, patience, or simply believing someone’s experience — add up. I hope that somehow, society can change so that people are seen, heard, and respected, no matter what is visible to the eye.
#invisibledisabilitiesweek #seetheinvisible
Thank you so much for reading.
If this post resonated with you, I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments.
And feel free to share it with your friends or support groups.
Take care,
Liz.
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Maybe invisible, but definitely real
An excellent post as always, Liz, and such a timely post given the upheaval and all the vitriol around benefits of late. It made me chuckle when you wrote about all the thousands from disability payments and getting cars for constipation or tennis elbow. If only! Some of the lower-than-low media outlets like Daily Mail are seeking out stories to this effect to show people “look what all these no-job layabouts are getting!” It’s disgusting. And totally not reality.
More empathy, more attempts to understand and educate and be kind, really would go a long way. xx
Oh, Caz, it drives me nuts, seeing some of the things being said. But, no matter how ludicrous those claims are, some people believe them.
Thanks for reading and commenting.
Take care,
Liz.
Such a timely and needed reminder! Its hilarious, yet heartbreaking, how easily damaging myths spread like wildfire, especially when they come from trusted sources. Its almost like a game of whispers where misinformation gets funnier and funnier the more distorted it becomes. But the real tragedy is the suspicion and judgment it breeds. Its like expecting Olympic performance from someone navigating a maze blindfolded – the lack of understanding is just absurd. Kudos to Liz for shining a light on the power of empathy. A little kindness, a lot of listening, and questioning those wild claims before repeating them could work wonders. Lets all aim to be a bit more compassionate and less like the gawking crowd, shall we? #invisibledisabilitiesweek
Thank you for commenting. It’s sad that people do need the reminder — especially people in a position where they can spread myths.
Hello Liz, I just discovered your blog. Thank you for your gut wrenching honesty. I’m so sorry that you have been in pain for decades. I share that experience, with different issues, and I know exactly what it’s like to have both a visible and invisible disability. For many many years, all my chronic pain was invisible. I had severe arthritis because I was hit by a drunk driver and all the bones I broke became arthritic overnight in my 20s; I had a head injury and a have had a chronic daily headache for which there is no medical solution; and I have illnesses, which are quite different from pain. Pain, illness, disability can be related, as you know, but they can manifest so differently.
I could never walk far after my accident and I distinctly remember one day walking to my car from the library where I was parked in a handicapped space and somebody shouted at me very rudely, saying, “Those are reserved for the handicapped!” It took all my reserve not to shout back. She could not see that I was handicapped. Now I’m on a walker and people see that but they don’t see the constant pain in my head or hands. What they see instead is a lack of a smile.
Thank you so much for shining a light on this important topic. Your friend in sisterhood pain, Sigrid
Oh my goodness, Sigrid, I can’t even imagine what you must have gone through. Being involved in a car accident must have been awful, but it just seems even worse when it was a drunk driver who hit you.
I’m sorry you’ve experienced that lack of compassion or empathy from someone because you were using a disabled space in a car park.I really wish people would think first before making such judgements. Like you said, now, they see your walker, but they still cannot see your invisible pain.
I hope that sometimes you are able to find a smile.
Thanks so much for commenting.
Take care,
Liz