Living well with a hidden disability: transcending shame and doubt and reclaiming your life. - book review

Journal of Rehabilitation, July-Sept, 2002 by Robin Cook

The authors state they offer this book to others (people with hidden disabilities and those who work with them or care about them) so that they might "... gain comfort and guidance as you navigate your own journey" (p. 3). Contained within are "descriptions of ... daily experience and suggestions for rebuilding self-esteem," (p. 3) as well as appendices with information geared to loved ones and therapists working with this population. Reference lists of pertinent organizations and texts (which are helpful, but not terribly comprehensive or up-to-date, in the case of the texts) are also included.

The book is divided into 12 chapters contained within two major sections entitled "The Experience of Living with a Hidden Disability" and "Surviving and Thriving: Tools for Healthy Living." Chapters address a number of areas, including "What is a Hidden Disability?" "Navigating the Health Care System" "Parenting," "The Stages of Grief: Working Towards Acceptance" and "Work and Finances." The chapters address a wide range of needs with which a person with a disability or significant other might present. The authors certainly have experience on which to draw, both in terms of their professional credentials in social work and psychology, but also as a couple living together for over 20 years with issues resultant from the lead author's hidden disability.

As to quality of the text, the authors are able to present material in a very reader-friendly way, both with respect to terminology used (accurate but non-technical where possible) and varied presentation (vignettes, charts, checklists, worksheets for personal reflection). Positive suggestions but also quotes from others with differing types of hidden disabilities are offered that realistically illustrate the frustration, sadness, and anger (among other emotions) that many have felt in addressing issues arising from disability. A plethora of different situations are described in many subsections. For example, rather than simply discussing generically how to deal with one's supervisor, the authors talk about how to variously "handle" a (a) passive-aggressive boss, (b) hostile boss, (c) skeptical boss, or (d) intrusive supervisor. Definitions of behaviors (e.g., passive-aggressiveness) are given, along with concrete strategies for coping with undesirable behaviors or circumstances.

Another strength of the book lies in its generally unbiased look at interactions between individuals with hidden disabilities and those around them. An instance of this occurs in a section discussing how doctors might react to patients presenting with mysterious ailments emanating from a hidden disability. It manages to capture "both sides of the fence" in presenting likely negative and positive perceptions on each side (for doctor and patient). Simultaneously, the authors also suggest strategies that might aid persons with disabilities in demonstrating assertive (rather than aggressive) behavior in advocating for themselves and establishing more fruitful relationships with medical and mental health professionals.

Flaws in this text are relatively minimal. Although the checklists are a nice addition, on occasion some items and their accompanying "interpretations" look more like surveys one would find in Cosmopolitan or Redbook rather than in a source designed to educate laypersons and professionals. Occasionally, tips are vague (e.g., "be aware if you and your partner have lost your boundaries") but this occurs infrequently.

Persons who would most appreciate this text are consumers with a hidden disability and family/significant others, who might find this an "eye-opening" resource in understanding the experiences of someone with a disability, not to mention a reflection of themselves! Many suggestions apply to all of us (e.g., relationship self-test), regardless of disability status. Medical or mental heath practitioners (both practicing professionals and professionals-in-training) could certainly derive a better understanding of the experience of disability from this book and how to work with such clients/consumers. For rehabilitation professionals, it is a useful refresher in psychosocial issues related to hidden disability, and offers within its covers specific information perhaps not considered before (e.g., guidance in aiding a consumer to talk to his or her child about that person's hidden disability).

As a reviewer, I enjoyed reading this text, which was engaging and interesting. I believe it well worth the $15.95 price tag. As a teacher educator and a person trained in rehabilitation counseling/vocational evaluation, it served as both a refresher and source of new ideas for private-practice counseling, as well as provided useful information that could be incorporated into in-service presentations or university classes dealing with disability issues.

Robin Cook, Ph.D., CRC
Assistant Professor of Special Education
Wichita State University