You Can Make a Difference!
Help Invisible Disabilities Association continue to encourage, educate and connect thousands living with illness, pain and disability around Colorado - make your tax-deductible contribution today!
Together let's envision a world where they will be Invisible No More®.
"You have said what I have wanted to say to so many people for so many years. I have suffered with Crohn's disease for 35 years. I've never been able to find anyone who could understand what it's like to suffer with an illness like this. It can affect every aspect of my life, all the while I am looking (for the most part) normal on the outside. Not that I have been searching for pity, just some understanding. My thanks goes out to you!" - Matt, Washington
The Invisible Disabilities® Association is about believing. We believe you! The frequently invisible nature of illness and pain may lead to disbelief about that illness or pain by those surrounding the person who lives daily with invisible disabilities. This disbelief can lead to misunderstandings, rejection by friends, family and heath care providers. It may also lead to accusations of laziness or faking an illness. We are passionate about providing awareness that invisible illness, pain and disabilities are very real! Our mission is to encourage, educate and connect people and organizations touched by illness, pain and disability around the globe. Envision with us, a world where people living with illness, pain and disability will be Invisible No More®.
Invisible No More!
Shining a Light on the Incredible Perseverance and Courage of People Living with Illness and Pain.
It all came crashing down in 1991. First, her legs became paralyzed and then, she received a diagnosis of primary progressive multiple sclerosis (MS), followed by a 10 day hospital stay. She slowly regained the use of her legs, yet the bone-crushing pain, fatigue and cognitive impairments did not dissipate.
She had been a model, a beauty queen, an actress, a singer with the voice of an angel, a cheerleader and someone everyone liked and looked up to. To me, she was still all of these and more. She was funny and intelligent, earning three college degrees, drop dead gorgeous and caring and loving of others.
Sherri was also diagnosed with Late Stage Chronic Lyme Disease, which was traced back to when she was bitten by a tick while visiting Arkansas at the age of 14. She had been sick on and off since then, but no one knew why. She was still active, passionate and hard working until her body finally gave out when she was 27 years old in 1991.
Sherri wrote about MS to help explain to family and friends about her illness. She wrote about how people didn't understand why someone who appeared normal was allowed to park in disabled parking. She wrote about how appearances do not always tell the story on the inside. In 1996, she finally thought of a label that described her condition - she had an, "Invisible Disability."
IDA was launched. Hundreds of thousands of people from around the world deal with their illnesses and pain, and people do not understand, and in many circumstances, believe that they had a disability because of the invisible nature of their symptoms.
IDA reaches around the globe with stories of suffering and triumph. We created www.InvisibleDisabilitiesCommunity.org as a supportive place to share the difficulties and to encourage people touched by illness, pain and disability. Our organization recently launched our second YouTube channel, www.InvisibleNoMore.TV, which brings to life the journeys of many living with invisible disabilities.
Organization name
Invisible Disabilities Association
other names
IDA
2004
Tax id (EIN)
83-0390659
Category
Civil Rights, Social Action & Advocacy
Organization Size
Small Organization
Address
PO BOX 4067Mailing
PO BOX 4067Arapahoe County, CO, US
Douglas County, CO, US