Coming Out as Disabled 🌻 Why I Was Reluctant to Share My Invisible Disabilities

I have a neurological disability that was neglected by my family who wanted to feign perfection. The neglect caused brain damage that affects how I can function and my ability to react/process within a certain amount of time. I actually can't drive because of it. People try to make excuses and compare me to other people with disabilities to shut down my limitations. People will get SO MAD about it even though I'm not hurting anyone. My family is included in that. It's so hard.

As long as you're staying hydrated, thats whats important

Thank you for making this. We are in the same club – reluctant to label ourselves but living with disability. Congrats on coming out! :)

Wow I appreciate your courage. Your authentic message touches my heart. Your awareness of the spectrum of functionality brings a different level of advocacy that is so hidden. I appreciate how you are using your personal life experience combined with your professional experience to tell a story that is so often hidden. Kudos to you for stepping out of your comfort zone and doing your part to break the cycle of shame. You are a beacon of light in your heart and art. Kudos to you!

I don't know why but sometimes I get almost jellous at others with neurodicergence who have been able to mask it well and become successful, even if I know too how hard and depressing it can be and I'm good at making depending on the situation and absolutely awful other times. But it's really sad that we have to mask but I have this constant fear (which probably many have) that I wont be accepted, will be kicked out, not understood in and disliked just for who I am. I feel I always come second, like people say you can't be here because we have to think about all the others, they will get upset, your behavior will affect them, that this affects and crushes me is never important. Specially as I feel I try so hard, I want to be seen as a good person, seen as normal and liked, I want no harm to anyone, still it's not enough. I don't know if others with autism experience or feel like this. I'm very lucky to not have any physical conditions, like chronic pain as example though, I'm slightly hypermobile but it doesn't affect me yet. I have noticed hypermobility specially and pain seems common with many with autism, I can imagine it being an extra struggle for many. Honestly I agree that we need to stop masking so much, even if there is always a fear of you don't mask, hopefully it can lead to other people who are not behaving like the norm being more accepted and not seen as inconpetent or scary.

I'm so glad I found your channel. It almost seems like kismet. I'm also high-masking neurodivergent, artistic, and forever curious about the world around me. YouTube has been my go-to for learning about a multitude of different subjects. I listen to it daily as I crochet (my current artistic outlet) and yes, there have been many different creative outlets over the years, as my craft room will attest. 😅 Thank you for sharing such a personal part of your life. Your artwork is beautiful.

I understand what you are saying & why you were reluctant. They’re very valid concerns. I also understand the extra energy required to hide or mask. I have a differ list of invisible chronic illnesses & had to come to terms w/the framing of disability because it’s accurate. And I’ve found acceptance, the ongoing act of acceptance of my abilities & disabilities is necessary to find some sort of active peace & joy. Being open, not hiding how my disabilities affect every single aspect of my life is an act of self kindness. And those that have cultivated human empathy make an effort to connect & be in my life. Those that cannot access that empathy have been removed either by myself or by their own absence…as sort of an automatic filter that removes that stress from my life. I’m sorry the journey you’ve traveled has been so difficult & caused so much pain. I hope your path forward brings less pain & more peace and joy. Hugs for the courage it took to make this video 🤗. And solidarity ✊ for a day when it doesn’t require courage for anyone to do so.

My mental disability went unchecked and undiagnosed until i was in my early 20s. even then, because i had a bad counselor, i remained undiagnosed and untreated medically. I landed in a mental hospital because of it all. But it always baffles people because i did do well in school. But when i entered the working world, everything fell apart for me. Suddebly there wasnt a daily routine i could follow, a predictability i could rely on. Every moment of everyday was different and i couldnt handle it. I say i did well in school grades wise, but i struggled to get those good grades, especialmente when i was in college. I remember i pushed my body way beyond its limits for the sake of getting good grades. I didn't do self care at all. That behaviour really messed me up and made my disability more severe. But i mask it so well. Whenever im in trouble, i get completely silent. People close to me tell me all the time that it doesn't seem like im troubled even though i am. I need to learn more about masking because i do that all the time. It is hard being mentally disabled because people always tell me that im lying about my disability. That they have bad days and can still work. What they dont realize is that there are numerous attempts ive made to taking my own life. That my bad days are more than just bad days. That there are days where i cannot function at all. There is so much more i could say, but i will have to save it for my own video. You've inspired me to make a video about it. I dunno when i will be brave enough to make it and post it though

Very relatable. I'm autistic with adhd inattentive type, & I also have cptsd, bpd, osdd, ocd, ME & APS 😢 I think alot of it is connected to the undiagnosed audhd & masking my whole life.

Am I the only one who didn't mask really at all until I got my diagnoses, then started masking like crazy once I knew that things I did were perceived as bad/wrong? I will note that I was not the one who sought out my diagnoses, but rather my parents did, since I was still in high school, and it took until the last 2 years of high school to get them likely because I was homeschooled 3rd-6th grade and the rest of my immediate family is also neurodivergent, as well as some of my extended family, so my mom thought that certain ND things were "normal" and that being on medication would make the rest of me (the "wrong"/"bad" things - her words, not mine) "normal", but that's not how it works, so she was convinced that I didn't even have ADHD at all when she didn't see the super drastic changes that she wanted to see from me being on the meds - it wasn't until 6 years later that I got the autism diagnosis, and 7 years later that I got the ADHD diagnosis, just in time for college.

I've been able to fix a lot of my symptoms through a keto/carnivore diet and regular physical exercise. I've also refused to let it define who I am as a person, there may not be a cure for autism but I'll be damned if I make it my identity.

The feels 😢😮😊 glad I have found you…..masking r us

I too have MCAS, food allergies and have autism spectrum disorder. Oh and an artist!

Thank you for sharing yourself deeply

Thank you. Thank you for allowing yourself to be vulnerable. Your advocacy and empathy is extremely appreciated. As a chronic illness warrior myself I can completely relate to this video on so many levels. Looking forward to enjoying more of your channel. I also have a chronically ill artist teen so I will be suggesting your channel to them too. Gentle hugs to you.

Hi just found your videos. I am someone that follows other art minded people. Watching art techniques etc. The person behind that art is an important part of it, making connections with the person. This video is just showing a part of you and great respect for it. We should not have to hide the real true us. The special you shows through, thank you that's why I have subscribed.

I have 4 diagnoses and I feel that while a person might be disabled you can still be successful. I was thinking about suicide due to schizophrenia. I hope that this comment will inspire you or someone in the comment section that you CAN still be successful no matter what you have.

ADHD symptoms can also stem from trauma.