How do you make someone understand about a disorder or disability that isn't obvious to the naked eye?
I have a neurological disorder called Dyspraxia. At work last night I was struggling, and my supervisor made a comment about how I'll get better in time. I calmly said that no, I wont, I'll most likely get worse due to neuro disorder. Before I could even explain it, she said that of course I will get worse with that attitude. But that anyone who keeps trying can get things to work. Long story short, she basically completely disregarded the fact that I live with the disorder every day of my life, I know my limits, and I know what will happen if I push those limits too much. And that's exactly the situation I was in. I was shaking. I was about to throw up due to pain and anxiety. I was heading towards full blown meltdown. And feel as though she completely disregarded my disorder because it's not an obvious one that you can see just by looking at me. And since it's a newer disorder here, most don't know about it. So blow me off when I say "hey, this is what I have"
7 Answers to "How do you make someone understand about a disorder or disability that isn't obvious to the naked eye?"
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Its hard...i have mdd but bcoz barely anyone knows much about the disorder they pass it off as a myth. It stops me from working and is in the same boat as ADHD but becoz its all to do with the fact that I can't control my daydreams noone belives it. You jus gotta keep trying.that's the way the world works....some ppl jus won't get it, some were ignorant and others arrogant. I bet some ppl jus don't wanna know so don't bother with them focus on those who wanna know but can't understand
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Use plain, easy to understand wording when explaining your condition/disease. You also need to understand that most people really don't want to know about a medical condition that has no cure. -- it scares them. The whole immortality thing. From what you have conveyed, it doesn't sound terminal, just incurable, at this point.
I also have encountered the same thing you are experiencing. From looking at me I seem perfectly normal; however I am going blind. I have a disease that has no cure, and no matter what, it will get progressively worse.
So, yeah, I totally get it. Good luck.Like (1)
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yeah, it's not anything that would turn terminal. It's a neuro disorder. Which means that essentially something didn't form right in my brain. It's not exactly like Apserger's, but it's very similar, so much so that it's often misdiagnosed as such in the US. I finally asked my peers, loud enough for my supervisor to hear, if any of them have ever seen an Aspie meltdown, and if they'd like to see something similar because that's directly where I was headed. lmao
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You have tenacity. This is a very good thing that will serve you well throughout you life. Trust me.
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u cant it is like having a broken leg people see it but they can identify with it because it is not them with the broken leg
but if i was u i would keep careful notes of what supervisor says because u may have to file suit on the grounds of a disability bias to keep your job or make enough money to get another oneLike (1)
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I can't believe how insensitive (for want of a better word) your supervisor was being in regards to the situation :( your supervisor has no place or right passing comment on your condition. Perhaps ask your doctor or specialist to write a note so that you can have it in your file. I. Think it's disgusting nevertheless that you have to justify yourself, as if the supervisor is trying to imply that you're lying :( hope you're ok though my darling xoxo
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Good question. Disorders, of all sorts, are hard for people, who haven't experienced them to understand. I think the best way to gain understanding is to provide knowledge. Educate people as much as you can. Only when people are informed, can they they have any idea what you might be going thru. And you might want to chat directly with your supervisor to clarify your situation. This way she can be more sympathic the next time you are struggling. Good luck.
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Oh, I tried. She wouldn't hear it. My direct supervisor knows, as do most of my line leads.. but this was the on site director. And frankly, she comes across as a bit of a b*tch to everyone. I attempted to explain but was cut short. I'm just frustrated I guess, and searching for anything to grab hold of to attempt to sort things out to prevent this from happening again.
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jap slap them.
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Yeah... I'd like to KEEP my job in the process of this.
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Best Answer (Chosen by Voting):
Posted by festusgreedy 1 Mar 11th, 2013 at 1:13AM
if there is a book about it get it for her that type woman needs to read it or it aint so
[ Reply ] | Like (2)