Not Every Disability or Impairment is Visible...

Currently, the vision in my left eye, is temporarily #Impaired and has been since 2022. I have an epi-retinal membrane which is pulling and distorting the retina at the back of my eye. 

When it first formed, straight lines appear wiggly as my retina was being pulled upwards and crumpling inwards. Surgery is usually recommended if the distortions are severe and interfere with daily living. Unfortunately for me, due to the complications of my #HbSC disorder, I have retinopathy (a condition which affects the blood vessels around the retina and is also common in diabetes) which means my retina are thinner and more susceptible to detachment. Therefore, I am not a candidate for surgical resolution of my membrane. So, for the last three years, I have been waiting patiently for the membrane to detach safely on its own. 

I've worn glasses on and off since I was a teenager but it was only when I had my membrane that I really understood the impact visual impairment has on individuals. I've had laser treatment for my retinopathy and have periods when my vision is impacted by floaters but waking up each day to a different spot/aspect of your vision changing or being impacted it next level. 

Many people say "those not disabled yet..." for a reason. Acquiring impairments and disabilities is more common than people think, and so it is really important to take time to consider those around you and the impact differing barriers can have on their independence. 

I always for example, ask people if they are ok taking the stairs and a colleague noticed this and asked me why I do it. I told them a story of not being able to climb the stairs when I had a flare up but not being offered the lift so assumed there wasn't one, only to eventually reach the 4th floor and find out that there was a lift (it would have saved me the 15 mins it took and a lot of embarrassment)... We all have differing abilities and it often shocks people when they find out that I have #Acquired disabilities because on the surface I look "well enough" (I hate that term). 

Hence the expression, #NotEveryDisabilityIsVisible! 

Mobility aids, visual navigation aids and more, are great for providing a visual cue to people that you might have an impairment, but not every one requires them. 

During our recent #StaffNetwork event, we dimmed the lights and got people to #Navigate their way around the timeline room with torches. The aim was to demonstrate how #Vision can be impaired in differing ways (image below). Colleagues explained how they had never thought about the different ways that vision can be impacted and this was a really great way to help them think about it. 

In addition, I printed my posters with a dark background and lighter, larger text text which is helpful for those of us with Meares-Irlen, also known as #VisualStress or dyslexia and more... As a famous supermarket chain once said, "Every Little Helps".