"Sally" or "Johnny" are people we all know. They are people that we work with, friends or relatives of ours; or they could be people that live down the street or down the hall from us in our respective neighborhoods. Sally may have come up with that great design for the new building complex the company is building here in Cleveland; and Johnny may have come up with that ad campaign that worked wonderfully for that new product the company is launching. Maybe Sally baked those awesome brownies that everyone is still talking about from the Christmas party; or Johnny brought those homemade, spicy chicken wings that everyone could not get enough of. Maybe Sally tutors Math on weekends; and Johnny coaches T-Ball on Wednesday evenings during the summer. Maybe they are married. Maybe they are single. They may or may not have children. Whateve the case is, we all know them. We also hopefully feel disgust rise up in ourselves when we hear this next statement from someone who may or may not know them too: "Oh yeah, Sally...the girl with that illness;" or "Johnny....that guy with the disability."
Living Well with a Hidden Disability: Transcending Doubt and Shame and Reclaiming Your Life is a book by Stacy Taylor, M.S.W., L.C.S.W; with Robert Epstein, PhD. Ms. Taylor with Dr., Epstein helps people with hidden disabilities ( Arthritis, Migraines, Lupus, Diabetes just to name a few) deal with the diagnosis of these life-changing events, and address the issues that the person has concerns about ( seeking treatment, family issues,etc). Then, these people hopefully go on to live happy and satisfying lives. This book gives real-life accounts from real people dealing with chronic illnesses and hidden disabilities. It does not patronize. It gives helpful tips and helpful exercises that one can do to see how they are doing physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually with their situations. It also gives them additional tips if it is determined that they need to make some changes. While this book definitely does not take the place of a medical professional or a therapist; it definitely can help guide the person on the right track to living the best life they can no matter what challenges they currently face and/or will face in the future.
The most important thing that this book stresses? Even if Sally, Johnny, or whoever else has an illness or a disability; they are still first and foremost people. They are human beings who contribute and can contribute much to our families, friendships, workplaces, and countless other avenues. The only way that an illness or disability can limit them is A.) If they decide to limit themselves; or B.) We decide to limit them. People with illnesses and disabilities are advised by themselves, and other, smart people not to be hindered by the two things above. However, it can still be difficult in their everyday lives; and sometimes, they as well as we need to remind them that they are more than their illnesses and disabilities. We also need to know when to shut up and just let them be. They are people like everyone else. They just happen to have an illness or a disability. Also, tell that person who describes Sally or Johnny by their medical situation to shut up too. Diplomacy is absolutely preferred but not required in that case.
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