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What Is IDA About?
Founder and President, Wayne Connell, saw the need to establish The Invisible Disabilities Advocate as a place of compassion and understanding for those living with debilitating illnesses and injuries. He is joined by several business and medical professionals. Wayne's inspiration came from his wife, Sherri, who became disabled due to Progressive Multiple Sclerosis and Late-Chronic Lyme Disease. Wayne's desire is to create awareness of the incredible courage people living with chronic illness and pain display, despite their circumstances.
Sherri studied Music
Theatre for 4 years in college where she was very active in singing and
dancing in musicals. She obtained a Bachelor’s Degree in Human Resource
Management and a Bachelor’s degree in Leadership with a minor
in Liberal Arts. However, despite plans of a
promising career in HRM and a music ministry,
just before beginning her Master’s Degree she became very ill and unable
to fulfill her lifelong career and theatre dreams. Although most people tell Sherri she does not "look" disabled, for many years she has struggled just to wash her hair or go to a doctor’s appointment. As a result, she knows first hand the pain and frustration that develops from being trapped inside a body that will no longer cooperate with a person’s aspirations or even simple daily chores. Wayne quickly discovered there were millions of other people around the world being hurt by the same lack of understanding and belief that Sherri was experiencing. His passion quickly grew from being his wife's supporter, to being an advocate for all who are living with disabilities. As a result, Wayne compiled the booklet, But You LOOK Good!TM It serves as a guide, as it contains excerpts from Sherri's journal enlightening people with "what to say," "what not to say" and "how to help" someone living with a debilitating condition. It gives those with chronic conditions a voice about how they feel, what they need and how to be an encouragement! Their goal is not to create a sense of pity, but compassion for their losses, respect for their courage and belief that their limitations are very real, even if they are not always obvious to others. IDA prints and distributes this booklet to people living with chronic illness and pain, as well as their loved ones. Proceeds go to IDA, a non-profit organization.
What Is Our Purpose?
Often the most difficult part of living with a disabling illness or injury is the lack of understanding the person encounters. Since most living with a chronic condition do not always "look” sick to us, we find ourselves struggling to believe their limitations are real. Even when our friend or family member tells us they are unable work, attend a gathering, shop, cook, clean, etc., we often disregard what they are saying, because we think they "look” fine! Let's face it, most people cannot comprehend what it is like to be sick or in pain for weeks, months or even years, because we are used to going to the doctor, taking some medication and soon feeling better. Consequently, unless we are educated about what life changes a chronic condition can bring, we may inadvertently treat our loved one as if they just need to "snap out of it" or "stop complaining." As a result, the only way to transform our well-meaning, but hurtful view is to understand that the illness can debilitate a person's body against their will. Therefore, The Invisible Disabilities Advocate® strives to explain that even though the symptoms from chronic illness, pain and injury may not always be obvious to us, these invisible disabilities are very real. IDA provides helpful links to sites and organizations of several diseases, disorders and conditions, as well as a support board. Most of all, it offers informative articles and this booklet, But You LOOK Good!TM that can be handed out to friends, family, support groups and even co-workers, in order to help them to understand the challenges and difficulties of living with a disease or injury that can be debilitating. But You LOOK GoodTM serves as a guide to understanding, encouraging and helping those who are limited by their condition. Moreover, IDA helps people see the courage and strength their loved has displayed, despite their losses, limitations and daily challenges. Let us not treat those who are ill or have been injured as if they are just being lazy or malingering. Instead, let us take a closer look at what courage and strength it takes to live with a physical limitation! After all, they are displaying a perseverance through personal loss and an endurance despite disappointment that most people will never know!
© Copyright 2006 The Invisible Disabilities Advocate: www.MyIDA.org Proceeds Go to IDA, a 501(c)(3) Colorado Non-Profit Organization. |
THE
INVISIBLE DISABILITIES ADVOCATE
