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Journal

How to Manage Work Life with an Invisible Brain Injury

I was medically retired, and as my injury was classified as “catastrophic” which meant my retirement from the workforce. Many of the individuals who suffered an Acquired Brain Injury are invisible sufferers, because there’s no …

When it comes to mobility, having the right equipment can make a world of difference. For those of us who rely on disability scooters to get around, comfort, and convenience are not just luxuries—they are necessities. Sure umbrellas work, but I can’t drink a coffee when driving! Recently, I’ve found myself daydreaming about the ultimate disability scooter: a fully enclosed model that not only protects me from the elements but also offers the comforts and entertainment that make any journey enjoyable.

I had something happen (on July 1) that I’d like to write about. Living with a mobility impairment, whether using a wheelchair or a disability scooter, reveals a fascinating aspect of human behaviour: ambivalence. Despite increased awareness and advocacy for accessibility, together with the fact that how I am I am VERY visibly-disabled, there remains a surprising number of people who display an indifference to the challenges with my mobility issues.

This indifference often manifests in subtle, everyday interactions, such as not holding the door open.

As a blogger, maintaining a consistent and organized workflow is crucial. However, I recently learned this the hard way when my failure to keep a to-do list resulted in an error in the August email. This experience has taught me valuable lessons about the importance of organization and planning.

In the hustle and bustle of daily life, it’s easy to overlook small yet significant tasks. I’ve always prided myself on my ability to manage multiple aspects of my blog, from content creation to reader engagement. However, without a structured plan, things can quickly fall through the cracks. This month, it happened to me. I missed a crucial step, leading to an error in the email sent to all my subscribers.

In life, we often encounter challenges that are not immediately visible to the naked eye. Acquired Brain Injuries (ABI) are more-often-than-not exactly that. It’s remarkably strange to think of being physically disabled as not being the worst, but unlike the majority of people who suffered an ABI I’m visibly-disabled. However, the fact that I’m visibly-disabled also means that that’s what people see, and the fact that my ABI was the most significant injury that I suffered, is invisible. If I make a mistake that’s caused by my ABI I’m immediately forgiven, because I’m disabled, and people would think that that’s the cause.

I’m usually not one to not know what say, but this time I’m coming up short and I’d appreciate your help!

I’m reaching out to ask for your help and input on something really important to me. As many of you know, I’m passionate about raising awareness and providing support for those with acquired brain injuries. I’ve been pouring my heart into a blog dedicated to this cause, aiming to shed light on the often unseen struggles and challenges faced by individuals with ABI.

In a world that often measures success by conventional standards, it’s easy to fall into the trap of focusing on what we can’t do rather than celebrating what we can. I fell into the trap of thinking what I can’t do, by comparing myself to able-bodied people. I don’t think that’s uncommon, because I believe that it’s an automatic assumption. And, as they’re not the only ones to think that, disabled people may face societal attitudes that prioritize perceived limitations over unique abilities. However, there needs to be a powerful shift happening—one that emphasizes the importance of reframing everyone’s perspectives and embracing the diverse talents and strengths that exist within each individual.