I’ve written before in this blog about hidden disabilities and how challenging it can be to not only live with them, but for others to understand.
I often use the analogy of a person in a wheelchair at the bottom of some steps. No reasonable person would expect them to be able to get up those steps. Instead that reasonable person may assist them in finding a ramp or elevator to get where they wish to go. However, place a person with a hidden condition at the bottom of that same set of steps and they are likely to be passed by, as they look for want of another word ‘normal’. Therefore, to those around them, they may not appear to require support to either use the steps or find an alternative.
In the earlier stages – which I occupy – I have some mild cognitive effects, which are not easy to recognise if not advised of what they are. Understanding is needed and expectations may be adjusted by those around the person with Parkinson’s.
If you’d like to hear more about this topic please click below to listen to my Podcast. If you haven’t accessed any of my podcasts, they are usually accessible with a simple click of a mouse on this blog, but also on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and Youtube under ‘My journey with Parkinson’s’
My journey with Parkinsons 