What people can't see can still be real

Photo by Allan Ajifo

I can relate to this. I have no physical signs from my stroke. But I certainly felt the affects of aphasia (click here to read more about aphasia). Most are now gone, but for some these "hidden disabilities" are more long term.

Here's a relevant look at “hidden” disabilities after stroke:

Williams said she thinks that her disabilities aren’t taken as seriously as physical challenges.

“People will say, ‘You look great.’ If they don’t see anything outwardly wrong, they think I’m OK,” she said.

“Hidden” problems facing survivors and families after stroke include aphasia, cognitive impairments, and changes to behavior or personality, according to Sara Palmer, Ph.D., a rehabilitation psychologist and part-time faculty member at the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at Johns Hopkins University. These challenges can include:

• Memory and reasoning deficits
• Personality changes
• Vascular dementia

Now, remember that aphasia does NOT decrease intelligence.

But these problems are as real as those not hidden.