October 16-22, 2022: Invisible Disabilities Week

WHEREAS, about 10 percent of people in the U.S live with a condition which could be considered an invisible or hidden disability, which amounts to approximately 32.7 million Americans; and,

WHEREAS, 163.5 million people – nearly half of all Americans -- are living with a chronic medical condition. The difference between having a chronic condition and a disability is the degree of impairment the condition causes in the individual’s life; and,

WHEREAS, invisible disabilities are not inherently apparent from looking at a person, leading individuals with hidden disabilities to fight a battle for recognition and seldom acknowledged by the world around them; and,                                                                                                   

WHEREAS, without the obvious signs of disability, people with invisible disabilities are accused of faking and exaggerating their conditions, which translates to a lack of funding, accommodations, medical resources, and overall support; and,

WHEREAS, invisible disabilities can affect an individual’s daily activities, and stereotypes and assumptions can lead to inaccessible environments as well as inequitable workplaces for people with disabilities; and,

WHEREAS, Michigan strives to encourage, educate, and connect people and organizations touched by all disabilities. We must think about accessibility in terms that are inclusive for all disabilities, and continue working toward a world where people living with illness, pain, and disability are no longer be invisible;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Gretchen Whitmer, governor of Michigan, do hereby proclaim October 16-22, 2022, as Invisible Disabilities Week in Michigan.