The Invisible Battles: When Disability Isn't a Wheelchair

Aug 14

Let’s get real for a minute: When most people hear “disability,” their minds go straight to the most visible symbols—wheelchairs, canes, maybe a flashy blue parking placard. But what about the battles you can’t see? The ones that don’t come with a set of wheels or a neon sign that says, “Hey! I’m struggling over here!”?

Welcome to the world of invisible symptoms—where the daily grind is less about curb cuts and more about heat, hormones, and the Herculean effort it takes just to get out of bed.

My Reality: Not All Disabilities Come With a Chair

If you’ve met me, you know I’m not rolling into rooms with a wheelchair (at least, not right now). But that doesn’t mean my journey with MS is a walk in the park—unless that park is 95 degrees and I forgot my water bottle. (Spoiler: That’s a hard no.)

Here’s the highlight reel of my invisible battles:

Heat Intolerance: Summer is not my season. The second the temperature rises, my body feels like it’s running a marathon in a sauna—except I didn’t sign up, and there’s no medal at the end.
UTIs (More Than I Can Describe): If there were a frequent flyer program for UTIs, I’d have earned a trip around the world by now. Instead, I get bonus points in antibiotics and bathroom pit stops.
Mood Imbalance: Some days, I’m sunshine and motivational quotes. Other days, I’m a storm cloud with a short fuse. (Sorry, friends and family. It’s not you, it’s the rogue neurotransmitters.)
Fatigue: Not “I didn’t sleep well” tired—more like “my limbs are made of lead and my brain is stuck in slow-mo” tired. Coffee helps, but it’s not a miracle worker.

Why “But You Don’t Look Sick” Is the Worst Compliment

Here’s the thing: If I had a dollar for every time someone said, “But you don’t look sick!” I could probably fund my own MS research lab. I get it—people mean well. But invisible symptoms are just that: invisible. They don’t show up on Instagram, and they definitely don’t fit in a hashtag.

The truth? Some of the hardest battles are the ones nobody else can see. They’re the ones that make you question your own strength, your sanity, and sometimes your worth. But here’s the plot twist: They’re also the ones that build the fiercest kind of resilience.

How I Fight Back (And How You Can, Too)

Let’s be real: I don’t have all the answers. Some days, my biggest win is making it out of bed and not letting heat or fatigue boss me around. But here’s what I know for sure:

I Listen to My Body (Even When It’s Whining): Rest isn’t weakness. Sometimes it’s the most radical act of self-respect.
I Laugh (A Lot): If you can’t find humor in your situation, MS will eat you alive. I choose to laugh at the absurdity—like how I can run a triathlon but a hot shower can take me down.
I Advocate: For myself, for others, and for a world where invisible disabilities get the respect (and accommodations) they deserve.
I Celebrate Small Wins: Because sometimes, getting through the day is a victory. And that’s enough.

The Takeaway: You’re Not Alone (Even If It Feels Like It)

If you’re fighting invisible battles, I see you. You’re not lazy, dramatic, or making it up. You’re a warrior—quietly, fiercely, and sometimes messily—doing the best you can with a deck of cards nobody else can see.

So next time someone says, “But you don’t look sick,” feel free to smile and say, “Thanks! You don’t look clueless, but here we are.” (Wink. Or don’t. Your energy is precious.)

Keep fighting, keep laughing, and keep showing up—exactly as you are. Your invisible battles are real, and so is your strength.

If this resonates with you, you’re not alone! Want more real talk, tips, and community? Subscribe to my newsletter for weekly empowerment and MS-friendly lifestyle tips, or join me in my group coaching program, THRIVEup.

Let’s keep fighting (and laughing) together.

Join the Evocean community or reach out directly—I’d love to hear your story.