Disabilities are tricky when they are what we call invisible disabilities such as ADHD or chronic pain. You don’t look any different from the outside but inside you are different. For example with my chronic pain it makes it hard for me to stand for long periods of time. When I had a cane people would offer me a seat but now because the disability is not visually reinforced by the cane I am looked upon poorly if I do not give up my seat for someone else with a visible disability. It is all perfectly understandable because we are all strangers to each other and do not know what we suffer in silence.
For people with ADHD, some, like me, suffer from time blindness. We have no sense of the passage of time. Sitting down to work for 15 minutes, 30 minutes or 50 minutes may all feel the same to us.
But the rub comes in the fact that it is not to our advantage to reveal our disabilities, especially in the work place. Once the information is out it can never be taken back. People tend to be judgmental about what they don’t understand, haven’t experienced themselves or can’t see. Your assertion can become the only lense through which you are viewed. Maybe even cutting off your opportunity toward advancement. When in reality, these are the very people who should be advanced because they have proven themselves able to, metaphorically speaking, move mountains with – one arm tied behind their back. They are the problem solvers, the inventors, unflagging in continuing to march forward despite adversity. They have been tested every day of their lives but keep moving forward. Showing up each day despite their difficulties and I believe empowered by them.