MENU 
25.10.2022
At Illuminate one of our aims is to challenge the stigma of mental ill-health, an ‘invisible disability’ which provides challenges to day-to-day life. Many of our beneficiaries experience additional hidden challenges – chronic pain, chronic fatigue, auto-immune disorders and sensory impairments as examples.
My recent experience of temporary hearing loss caused a degree of anxiety, highlighting the impact of sensory loss on day-to-day life and emotional well-being. In my work and life I listen to hear, however, I found following a diagnosis of ‘divers ear’ I struggled to hear anything beyond muffled words and sounds, plus I experienced unexpected periods of vertigo. It felt exhausting, disorientating and isolating.
It was helpful to reach out to a good friend of Illuminate who has experienced permanent hearing loss. She offered lived experience, understanding, coping strategies and reassurance. Being able to share my experience with her was a relief, grounding me and greatly reducing my anxiety. It was also a time to consider how it may be to experience permanent sensory loss, often an invisible disability.
I reminded myself it is only temporary, and I am fortunate that the ear trauma will heal and repair – rather like my journey with anxiety – I recover.
At a recent in-person Illuminate session I came across some Sense cards produced by the organisation Sense, offering visual guidance on British Sign Language. A reminder that we all communicate in different ways. I feel a learning opportunity beckons.
This is also a further reminder to always ‘Be Kind’, as you never quite know what people are coping with.
Anna Gilchrist
For more information on ‘Sense’, a charity offering support to those experiencing sensory loss - https://www.sense.org.uk
