I was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis (内风湿关节炎) at the age of thirteen. This is an autoimmune disease where my immune system1my joints and the surrounding areas. This diagnosis turned my whole 2 upside down. I went from a happy, active and busy person to someone unable to get out of bed without screaming in great 3.
Having such an immune system means I get a lot of 4. This means a lot of hospital appointments, blood tests, trips to the GP and A&E. But if you were to look at me, you'd 5 think all of this is happening to me. Because like many 6, arthritis in younger people is generally an invisible conditions, as what's happening is completely internal. Because of this, access to disability resources was a challenge for me. When I used resources for 7 people, the looks I received were unbearable at times.
As a result, I 8 Invisible Disability Ireland back in 2019 as a way to increase people's awareness and understanding for invisible disabilities. We need to 9 the perception of disability as the majority of disabilities have hidden conditions. On the page, I 10 people's stories and raise awareness about many conditions. Most importantly, the page 11 others going through the same thing. It helps in knowing they are not 12and that thousands of people across Ireland are living with invisible conditions too. 13 the universal symbol of disability is a wheelchair, disabilities come in all14 shapes and sizes.
Because of Invisible Disability Ireland, many people have learned better about such conditions. It has 15 not only me, but also many other people in such a situation.
