A stroke much like some of the other cognitive disabilities are sometimes referred to as a
hidden injury. This is largely because they lack the visibility of a more overt illness. There is a
difference when you have a person in a wheelchair battling to collect a couple of things on a
shopping trip, compared to a chap of the same age and ethnic origin trying to figure out why he
cannot get his Wi-Fi working. It is human nature and no-one’s fault although at the time it is very
frustrating. I understand from personal experience that in that given situation we do not
understand why people can’t see the problem.
A shopping employee can quite easily see what help the chap in the wheelchair would
appreciate, whereas a person with a hidden injury might be perceived a little differently to the
shop assistant. Anyone would think the person with a hidden injury should announce it as
obvious as the person in the wheelchair, but we aim to be ourselves again.
I’ve encountered this many times and it has become part of my life; it happens in the same way
each time, when speaking to a new person, unless they are aware of my hidden brain injury, the
initial conversation goes well until it gets a little deeper, I’m not sure if I was going off topic or I
was repeating myself, but I always noticed that slight crease in their forehead between their
eyes, as if to say, they’re confused about what I was saying.
At times where I am perceived differently I either explain my medical condition, or I ask what
part they do not understand and sometimes to my amusement they reply with “all of it”, at
times I may change the subject. When things get a little bit more frustrating for myself, I leave
and will return later and maybe with a second person. On other occasions I become distracted
with a negative mindset.
As much as I try to be myself and let things be normal, it can be challenging, as it seems to
some, I don’t understand the entire task at hand when most of the time it is just one point or
step, I have completely missed or has not come to mind at the time.
It should be imperative for people to be aware of those whom they may come across with a
“hidden injury”, and before making any quick judgments try to be more attentive and
understanding of those who are living in our society with a perceived hidden injury.
Written by Angus Booth
Edited by Kassia Murphy
References:
1) Pexels, Kampus Production, accessed 3/02/2023