At DHU Healthcare, we are committed to fostering an inclusive and supportive environment for all our colleagues and have been doing a lot of work to recognise non-visible disabilities which can be physical, mental or neurological conditions. They are often not immediately obvious, making them difficult for others to understand and even for those affected to recognise themselves.
We spoke with Debbie Peach, a Nurse Practitioner in our Urgent Care (North) Team. Debbie was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) in 2013 and was kind enough to share her personal journey and the challenges she has faced.
"MS is a cruel disease, like so many other neurological conditions such as Parkinson’s and CFS," Debbie explains. "It affects so many people in so many different ways and its progression can be very uncertain. It's hard to understand how MS affects a person unless you actually have it. For example, when I’m tired, this is my MS causing chronic fatigue, not simply because I didn't get enough sleep.
“We’re all very good at putting on a work face. I often look healthy and happy on the outside, and perhaps one of the greatest challenges is in explaining to others how someone who looks so well often feels mentally and physically exhausted, be in pain, and sometimes quite sad.
Debbie's experiences of neurology visits also highlight the psychological toll of hidden disabilities. "My neurology visits are not particularly endearing when faced with a waiting room of wheelchair and catheter-bound dependent patients with progressive disease. I feel an absolute ‘fraud’ in comparison, and live in fear that such severe disability and dependency could be my future?"
Describing the physical symptoms of MS, Debbie told us, "Sometimes my legs give way, sometimes I struggle walking in a straight line, or I trip on air due to balance and coordination problems. To other people, I may look clumsy or even tipsy. I suffer with restless legs and muscle spasms. My vision can be blurred and I’m often dizzy. Typing can be a struggle and I make silly typos, particularly when I’m tired or stressed.”
Cognitive symptoms, or ‘brain fog’ add to her daily challenges, adding: “Sometimes it affects my ability to communicate and recall things. I constantly feel guilty not being able to keep up with the pace, work longer shifts, or provide extra cover to help my colleagues."
Despite these challenges, Debbie has found DHU to be supportive and understanding. "I am very fortunate as DHU has supported me in being able to continue to work which is something I am keen to do, particularly for my mental well-being. I’m not always the best at asking for help, but when I do, DHU listens.”