Invisible Disabilities Week 2025

Written By Amy Gowland

Invisible Disabilities Week (19th – 25th October 2025) is a time to highlight the strength, adaptability, and quiet persistence of those living with conditions that are often misunderstood or unseen. There is a significant number of people in the community living with an invisible condition, or conditions, making it more prevalent that what a lot of people might think.

A simple yet powerful truth is that just because some challenges are not visible, does not mean you are invisible.

What is meant by Invisible Disabilities?

Invisible disabilities encompass a wide range of physical, neurological, sensory, psychological and chronic conditions that may not be visible to others but deeply impact how a person experiences and engages with the world.

Some of the invisible conditions that are commonly seen at Hidden Connections include, but are not limited to

  • Persistent pain, fibromyalgia, CRPS, pelvic pain, migraines, etc.

  • Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS) and Hypermobility Spectrum Disorder (HSD)

  • Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS) and other forms of Dysautonomia

  • Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) and Long COVID

  • Autoimmune conditions

  • Neurodivergence

  • Mental health conditions

These conditions can be complex, unpredictable, and isolating. Many people describe feeling unseen and invalidated throughout their journeys, often reporting that their symptoms are frequently doubted because they aren’t obvious to others around them.

Remember, invisible does not mean imaginary – it means unseen. And unseen does not mean unfelt.

The importance of Invisible Disabilities Week

The week is about providing an opportunity to raise awareness and increase advocacy within the invisible conditions space. However, the importance of recognising and acknowledging the impact of invisible conditions is a year-round focus and is paramount to ensuring we can support and validate the experience of those with invisible conditions. Everyone’s journey is unique to them, and no two journeys are ever the same, regardless of whether they are visible or invisible conditions, everyone has the right to have their experience heard and validated.

Key Actions:

Some of the key points to remember when working with or supporting those with invisible conditions include:

  1. Validation
    Even when the symptoms can be invisible, the experience is very real. Validation can be life-changing for someone who has felt unheard or dismissed. Believing, empowering and learning are key factors in being able you to assist those with invisible conditions.

  2. Awareness
    Invisible conditions can often involve fatigue, pain, or sensory overwhelm that may not be visible externally. By raising awareness, we’re trying to encourage empathy, compassion and flexibility within the community.

  3. Inclusion
    Accessibility isn’t just about what we can build or install, such as ramps, banister rails or lifts, it’s about what we can understand and adapt to truly align with the person and their needs. True inclusion means recognising that some people carry invisible weights every day. Remembering that not all storms show up on the radar.

  4. Connection
    Recognising invisible conditions fosters empathy and connection. It reminds us that everyone’s experience is valid, even when it doesn’t fit the picture we expect. This allows those with invisible conditions to be met with understanding and curiosity, rather than judgement, which has significant benefits.

What can help?

  • Believe people when they share their experiences. You don’t need to see proof to offer empathy.

  • Ask before assuming. A simple “What helps you on a hard day?” can mean more than you realise.

  • Offer flexibility. Rest, pacing, and sensory-friendly adjustments allow people to participate more fully.

  • Share awareness. Challenging misconceptions helps others feel less alone. Use your voice to challenge stereotypes and normalise conversations about invisible conditions.

  • Be kind to yourself. Living with a hidden condition takes extraordinary resilience. If you live with an invisible disability, remember that your worth is not measured by productivity or how well you mask your struggles. You are seen, even when the world doesn’t notice. It takes extraordinary strength to live an ordinary life with an invisible disability.

If you are living with an invisible disability, know this: You are seen. You are heard. Your challenges don’t define you – your strength, adaptations, identity and story do.

If you are supporting someone, your openness and care make a difference.

Invisible Disabilities Week reminds us that compassion doesn’t depend on visibility – it depends on listening, believing, and creating space for all experiences.

I encourage you to have a look at the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Initiative if you haven’t already done so. This is a wonderful initiative that is helping to raise awareness of invisible disabilities in our community!

Amy Gowland