December 3, was International Day of Persons with Disabilities.

Today, December 3, is International Day of Persons with Disabilities. This year’s theme is fostering disability-inclusive societies for advancing social progress. Many brain diseases, disorders, and injuries can be disabling, and while it’s crucial that we advocate for research that can lead to treatments, preventions, and cures, it’s just as important that we advocate for all who currently face challenges due to these conditions. When Brain Diseases Cause Disability The World Health Organization has reported that neurological conditions are the leading cause of disability worldwide. These could be any conditions related to the brain or nervous system. For example, there are diseases that cause physical disabilities, including neuromuscular disorders like cerebral palsy, spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), and muscular dystrophy. There are neurodevelopmental disorders that begin in childhood and affect growth and development, which may cause mental or intellectual disabilities. There are genetic disorders, in which a mutation or other abnormality in one or more specific genes leads to a wide variety of serious health issues. There are diseases caused by infections, such as meningitis, which can lead to brain damage, and zika virus, which can lead to birth defects. And there are diseases of neurodegeneration, such as Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias, multiple sclerosis (MS), and Parkinson’s disease, which result fro A recent analysis by the American Academy of Neurology and the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation shows that more than half of all people living in the United States has a neurological disease or disorder. While not all of these conditions are disabling, some am a gradual loss of brain cells and cognitive function. In addition, brain injuries and nerve damage can sometimes lead to long-lasting physical or mental challenges. These various examples are among the most visible neurological conditions that can cause disability, but there are many others that often go unnoticed, like migraine or traumatic brain injury (TBI). We can be part of a global effort to treat, prevent, or cure the neurological conditions that cause disability for so many people. The way to do this is through a sustaining commitment to scientific research.re diseases that could worsen and lead to disabilities in the future. Understanding Disabilities Living with a disability of any kind means facing additional challenges that most other people do not. This could mean that what many take for granted as easy, everyday tasks present unique difficulties. These tasks might include climbing stairs, driving or taking public transportation, paying bills, reading, using a phone or computer, etc. Or a disability might affect senses like vision or hearing, mobility, memory and comprehension, speech and communication, learning, or other experiences we may associate with daily living within a community. Since 1992, the United Nations has promoted the annual observance now known as International Day of Persons with Disabilities. This day is intended to promote a greater understanding of the issues that persons with disabilities face; support their dignity, rights, and well-being; and encourage their inclusion in every aspect of life. The observance also instigates dialogue and promotes empathy. This can then translate into policy action to improve equity and opportunity for all. People with disabilities are so much more than the challenges they face, and they deserve to be respected just as much as anyone else. But understanding the difficulties that so many people face on account of neurological conditions should also make us consider how we might prevent future generations from facing disadvantages if we had the scientific knowledge to intervene and help. In short, we can be part of a global effort to treat, prevent, or cure the neurological conditions that cause disability for so many people. The way to do this is through a sustaining commitment to scientific research. It is a commitment that requires both funding and advocacy. Invisible Illnesses, Invisible Disabilities Certainly, there are innumerable disabilities that are easily recognized and understood, such as those with inherent physical challenges, such as blindness or paralysis, amputated limbs, or other mobility challenges requiring crutches or a wheelchair. But neurological conditions can also cause “invisible” disabilities, which other people may not be able to see. Brain diseases are often invisible to others. For example, consider migraine, a neurological disease that in some cases causes recurring headaches and sensory disturbances so severe that individuals experiencing these painful attacks are unable to leave their darkened room, let alone go out and perform work. From this perspective, the condition can be disabling, at least during episodes. The fact that migraine is experienced internally and episodically has traditionally made it “invisible” to others, who still underestimate the pain and seriousness of the condition. Ironically, around the world, migraine is the third-most common disease of any kind. We must also do all we can to make our society, culture, families, workplaces, and communities inclusive for all. Individuals with neurodegenerative diseases might not appear to face disabling challenges at first, but these symptoms tend to increase over time. For example, a person with dementia might start to get lost in familiar places or feel confused and disoriented in common situations. Skills like focus, decision-making, understanding and using language, and movement and balance start to decline. Over time, patients with MS typically face increasing challenges with vision, movement and balance, pain, fatigue, speech problems, and cognitive impairments. Parkinson’s disease leads to motor issues like tremor, slowed movements, balance and coordination challenges, all of which can make what most people take for granted as everyday tasks much more difficult. Those who have suffered a traumatic brain injury (TBI) or the effects of concussions might not appear to have a disability, but they might secretly struggle with memory and concentration issues, speech challenges, or diminished coordination. There are many neurological conditions that can lead to disabling psychological symptoms, such as extreme depression, anxiety, paranoia, or hallucinations. And there are conditions that cause chronic pain like fibromyalgia. The point is that disabilities are far more common than they might first appear. It’s important to remember that we never know what challenges others might be facing. It’s also true that individuals can often adapt to their disabilities to the point where they can function quite well and surmount many of their challenges. If we can help each other with the process of acclimating to the challenges of disabilities—on personal, professional, and policy levels—we should. The Invisible Disabilities Association is an advocacy organization that seeks to raise awareness about invisible disabilities, as well as provide guidance for those who face them. In addition to producing media resources and hosting an online support community, the organization has been behind initiatives to establish recognizable ID cards to help people communicate their disability status to authorities and first responders—efforts which have been gaining momentum in several states. Research Now, Inclusion Always For those who face a disability related to a neurological disease or who may face one in the future, there is hope that continued research will unlock better treatments and cures. Rigorous scientific research is the only way to make discoveries that will lead to these solutions, but it can take a long time and lots of trial and error, so it’s imperative that we do all we can to initiate and maintain research studies now, in the present, and continue supporting this work indefinitely. That said, no matter how much progress we make in understanding and treating brain diseases, we must also do all we can to make our society, culture, families, workplaces, and communities inclusive for all. That includes listening to, highlighting, and amplifying the voices of those who live with disabilities, challenging stigmas and stereotypes, and improving environments and organizational culture for greater equity and accessibility. These are improvements that we can make right now, and we can all do better. If you are currently living with a condition that causes you a disability, please know that it does not define who you are as a person. You are so much more than the challenges you face, and you deserve to be valued and respected just as much as anyone else. If you are serving as a caregiver, your efforts might be underappreciated, but they matter so much. Thank you for all that you do. Celebrating our shared humanity and fostering disability-inclusive societies will absolutely lead to advancing social progress. This approach specifically incorporates the valuable contributions of persons with disabilities, removes unnecessary barriers, and helps to build stronger and more supportive communities. The American Brain Foundation is committed to finding cures for all brain diseases and disorders. Donate today to make a difference. With your help, we can all experience life without brain disease.