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, and self-compassion.

Connect with me:

• Facebook: www.facebook.com/walkingwithheather

• TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@walkingwithheather

• Patreon: www.patreon.com/walkingwithheather

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 years.

In this episode, I’m talking about what medical gaslighting looks like, how it affects both our physical and emotional health, and why it’s so important to trust what our bodies are telling us. I’ll also explore how we can advocate for ourselves in medical settings and start to rebuild trust after being dismissed or disbelieved.

If you’ve ever walked out of an appointment feeling unheard or doubting your own experience, this episode will hit close to home.

Connect with me:

• Facebook: www.facebook.com/walkingwithheather

• TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@walkingwithheather

• Patreon: www.patreon.com/walkingwithheather

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 isn’t selfish — it’s survival. I’ll share the ways we can begin to shift our perspective on rest, learn to protect our energy, and remind ourselves that our health has to come first.

If you’ve ever struggled with the guilt of saying no, this conversation is for you.

Connect with me:

• Facebook: www.facebook.com/walkingwithheather

• TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@walkingwithheather

• Patreon: www.patreon.com/walkingwithheather

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 strategies for managing energy, and highlight the importance of self-compassion when your body doesn’t match your intentions. This episode is for anyone who wants a better understanding of chronic fatigue and the realities of living with it.

Connect with me:

• Facebook: www.facebook.com/walkingwithheather

• TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@walkingwithheather

• Patreon: www.patreon.com/walkingwithheather

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 importance of pacing and self-compassion. If you’ve ever felt like just functioning is a victory, this episode is for you.

Connect with Heather:

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/walkingwithheather

• TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@walkingwithheather

• Patreon: www.patreon.com/walkingwithheather

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 the silent grief so many in the invisible disability community face—the loss that comes without a funeral, without casseroles, and without recognition. She shares why this grief is valid, how it can show up in unexpected ways, and why acknowledging it is a critical step toward healing.

If you’ve ever looked back at your old life and felt the ache of what’s gone, this conversation is for you. You are not alone. Your grief is real. And your story matters.

What You’ll Hear in This Episode:

• The hidden nature of grief with invisible disabilities
• Why this grief often goes unrecognized by others
• The emotional toll of losing abilities, independence, and identity
• How to honor and process this unique kind of loss
• Why you are still whole—right here, right now
• 
  

Connect with Heather:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100090200150738

Patreon: https://patreon.com/LivingBeyondtheInvisible

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 workplace challenges, this episode highlights how society often doubts what it cannot see—and why changing that mindset is essential.

With research, real-life examples, and compelling quotes, Heather also unpacks the power of storytelling in advocacy, the dangers of misinformation and fabricated illnesses on social media, and what it means to be a genuine ally in today’s digital age.

• 📌 What defines an invisible disability
• 💡 Why awareness is the first step toward inclusion
• 💬 The emotional impact of being doubted or dismissed
• 📉 The consequences of faking illness on social media
• 📢 How advocacy shows up in both big movements and small conversations
• 🧠 How to be a responsible ally or advocate in your community

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100090200150738#

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/livingbeyondwalkwithheather

Email: livingbeyondtheinvisible@gmail.com

• Invisible Disabilities Association – www.invisibledisabilities.org
• CDC Disability Statistics – cdc.gov
• Asbring & Narvanen (2002), Journal of Health Psychology
• Job Accommodation Network Report (2022) – askjan.org
• Ruderman Family Foundation (2018 Survey)
• Hannah Soyer in Teen Vogue – "Faking Disabilities on TikTok"
• Psychology Today (2023) – "Faking Illness on Social Media"
• Amanda C. Riley (Scamanda Case) – Justice.gov
• Belle Gibson Case – BBC News
• Crutches & Spice Blog by Imani Barbarin – crutchesandspice.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 narratives offer a raw and honest look into what it means to live with an invisible disability. Each story is unique—but they all echo a common truth: just because you can’t see it doesn’t mean it’s not real.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100090200150738#

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/livingbeyondwalkwithheather

Email: livingbeyondtheinvisible@gmail.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.