Living Beyond the Invisible: A Walk With Heather

For people living with invisible disabilities, hearing the word “lazy” can be painful and frustrating. In this episode, I unpack how this word is often used to dismiss real struggles with fatigue, pain, or brain fog, and how it impacts self-esteem and daily life. I explore why being called “lazy” is rarely about choice and discuss ways we can reframe the conversation around productivity, energy, a...

There are few things more frustrating or more damaging than being dismissed by the very people who are supposed to help you. Medical gaslighting happens when symptoms are ignored, minimized, or blamed on anxiety, stress, or weight instead of being taken seriously. For those of us living with invisible disabilities, this experience is far too common and often delays real diagnosis and treatment for...

Saying “no” should be simple, but for many of us living with invisible disabilities, it comes with a heavy weight of guilt. Whether it’s turning down social plans, declining extra work, or even saying no to family, that one word can leave us feeling like we’ve let everyone down. In this episode, I’m talking about why saying no is so hard, how guilt shows up in our lives, and why setting boundaries...

Chronic fatigue is one of the most common and often misunderstood symptoms for people living with invisible disabilities. In this episode, I talk about what chronic fatigue really feels like, why it’s more than just being tired, and how it can impact daily life in ways others might not see. We’ll explore the physical, emotional, and mental challenges of living with persistent exhaustion, discuss s...

Some days, simply getting through life with an invisible disability or chronic illness can feel like a full-time job. In this episode, we'll explore what it really means to live in “survival mode” when your body doesn’t cooperate and your symptoms are invisible to others. I'll discuss the physical, emotional, and mental challenges of daily life, shares coping strategies, and emphasizes the...

Grieving Your Old Life: The Loss No One Sees When you live with an invisible disability, the grief you carry isn’t always about what people expect. It’s not just about a diagnosis—it’s about losing the version of yourself you used to be. The one who could move freely, live spontaneously, and exist without constantly planning around symptoms or limitations. In this episode, Heather dives deep into...

In this powerful and deeply personal episode, Heather explores the heart of what Living Beyond the Invisible stands for: the importance of advocacy and awareness for people living with invisible disabilities . Heather breaks down what invisible disabilities are, why they’re so widely misunderstood, and how this lack of awareness fuels stigma, isolation, and discrimination. From emotional tolls to...

In this heartfelt episode of Living Beyond the Invisible , Heather steps back from the mic to amplify the voices of those living with invisible disabilities. Featuring four powerful listener stories , this episode brings you firsthand accounts of resilience, pain, strength, and hope. From navigating daily life with chronic conditions to dealing with disbelief and stigma, these deeply personal narr...

In this episode, Heather dives into the deceptive practices of certain weight loss influencers who promote unrealistic and potentially harmful dietary habits. She discusses the impact of these influencers on individuals with invisible disabilities, emphasizes the importance of whole foods over processed alternatives, and provides guidance on identifying misleading nutrition advice. Let’s Stay Conn...

In this episode, our host Heather explores what it really takes to get and train a service dog, how they differ from emotional support and therapy animals, and the harm caused by fake service dogs. Learn what the law says, how to protect access rights, and why service dogs are more than just pets. Let’s Stay Connected! Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100090200150738# Instagram: h...

On this weeks episode, we will discuss how delays in diagnosis can impact someone's over all life. Resources: 1.  https://wexnermedical.osu.edu/about-us/leading-the-way/fibromyalgia 2.  https://www.lupus.org/resources/reducing-time-to-diagnosis 3.  https://acrabstracts.org/abstract/factors-influencing-time-to-diagnosis-in-u-s-patients-with-systemic-lupus-erythematosus/ 4.  http...

Hey friends—welcome back to Living Beyond the Invisible ! I’m your host, Heather, and today I’m diving into something that hits close to home for so many of us: how invisible disabilities impact our mental health . As always, I want to remind you that I’m not a medical professional—just someone living with invisible disabilities, sharing what I’ve learned through personal experience and research....

The Episode: Join me this week to discuss what it's like working with invisible disabilities. We'll talk about disclosure, accommodations and discriminations along with sharing a few personal stories of others. Resources: Job Accommodation Network (JAN) –  https://askjan.org U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) –  https://www.eeoc.gov Center for Talent Innovation (2021) –...

Join me to learn more about Masking and why it's something that the majority of people with invisible disabilities often hide behind. Find me on Facebook here Resources: Invisible Disabilities Association:  invisibledisabilities.org NAMI – National Alliance on Mental Illness:  nami.org “Unmasking Autism” by Dr. Devon Price “The Spoon Theory” by Christine Miserandino Neurodivergent Insigh...

In this episode of Living Beyond the Invisible, we take a deep dive into rheumatoid arthritis (RA), a chronic autoimmune disease that primarily affects the joints but can also impact other organs. We discuss how RA differs from osteoarthritis, its symptoms, causes, and the daily challenges faced by those living with the condition. Listeners will learn about the physical, emotional, and social toll...

In this episode of Living Beyond the Invisible , I tackle the all-too-common phrase, "But you don’t look sick," and how it affects those living with invisible disabilities. I will explore the impact of misconceptions on personal relationships, including romantic partnerships, friendships, and family dynamics. With practical strategies, I provide guidance on how to navigate the complexities of thes...

On this episode of Living Beyond the Invisible, we will be discussing an important topic and that is Loneliness. Loneliness, is something that is a major battle for many who are living with invisible disabilities and chronic illnesses. It is something that I personally struggle with as well. So sit back, relax and learn how you can help. Click Here for the link to my Patreon! Hosted on Acast. See...

On this weeks episode of Living Beyond the Invisible, we will be discussing how to maintain a healthy weight and build a sustainable lifestyle while living with an invisible disability. This week's statistic was from the CDC. Join our Patreon at patreon.com/LivingBeyondtheInvisible Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this episode of Living Beyond the Invisible Podcast, we will be discussing the toll that living with invisible disabilities takes on your mental health. Link to statistics from the CDC: https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/disabilityandhealth/features/mental-health-for-all.html Link to the Patreon: https://patreon.com/LivingBeyondtheInvisible Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Join me this week to discuss Osteoarthritis, what it is, how it affects the people living with it and a special story from a sweet listener named Lindsay. If you have a listener story or you need help, please email me at livingbeyondtheinvisible@gmail.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Join me this week as I share the story of my journey with breast cancer. This is the first time ever that I am publicly retelling my story and sharing my full journey. Types of chemo that I was on: Docetaxel and Cyclophosphamide these together are known as the TC regime. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On today's episode, we will be diving into the world of Breast Cancer. This will be a two part topic as I wasn't able to fit everything into one episode. Don't forget to tune in next week for part two. https://www.nationalbreastcancer.org is where I got all of the statistics and information for today's episode. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Join me for episode 4 where I will do a deep dive into breast cancer. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Join me as I dive into the world of Fibromyalgia. We'll discuss what it is, living with it and everything in between. If you or someone you know is struggling and think you may have Fibromyalgia but not sure where to turn, please reach out to me via email: livingbeyondtheinvisible@gmail.com www.mayoclinic.com is where I got the statistics for today's episode. They have a world of information, go c...

On this episode of Living Beyond the Invisible, join us as we dive into the world of Congenital Heart Defects (CHD). We will discuss what CHD's are, how they are diagnosed, how they are treated and of course how it may affect someone's life. CHD's affect millions of people worldwide, so let's support one another and raise awareness. If you enjoyed this podcast, please subscribe and comment to let...