Living with 3 Invisible Disabilities
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- 108,842
- Likes
- 3,713
- Length
- 32:28
- Published
- Category
- People & Blogs
Gabby lives with Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS), Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID), and OCD. These conditions affect her daily life in profound ways, and Gabby hopes to remind others that not all disabilities are visible.
You can support SBSK and help us create these videos at https://www.patreon.com/sbsk
You can support SBSK and help us create these videos at https://www.patreon.com/sbsk
@gabriellebomberg
Being able to share part of my story on Special Books by Special Kids was such an honor and great experience! Whether you’re living with similar lived experiences or just looking to learn, I hope this resonates. Thank you, Chris for your unbelievably caring spirit and passion for making this world a better and more inclusive place! 💕
A couple notes:
🫀I misspoke about orthostasis —most people who have pots don’t generally have a blood pressure drop 😅
261 likes
@ShonanArcadeJapan
A bit off topic, but it's a shame seeing this wonderful channel get hit with the youtube change that is limiting views so severely. Please keep up the great and important work, Chris. Hopefully youtube gets its act together soon to address this problem.
280 likes
@SpecialBooksbySpecialKids
Thank you Gabby for doing such a great job explaining what life is like with POTS, ARFID, and OCD! I saw a few people ask why certain words were muted so I wanted to address that question because it is a valid one. Unfortunately, any video I did in the past about restrictive eating was shadow banned after a few days. Although this isn't referred to as "shadow banned' by the platform... I receive an email saying the audience is now set to mature only. Then on the backend the views and reach drop to near 0. This leaves me with the difficult decision of muting certain words in videos about restrictive eating or uploading the video with a high probability that nobody will see it. I believe these stories are so important so with this video I decided to mute certain words to avoid being shadow banned so this story could be heard. I wish this was not reality, but unfortunately it is something that has to be done so the algorithm does not ban the story. Thanks for understanding.
441 likes
@ammii4
the state of the world right now can feel so isolating. i’m really thankful for this channel. reminds me that there are still good people out there. thanks for all you do chris!🫶🏻
275 likes
@alyssa-lt9kh
as someone with an invisible disability THANK YOU for this video. we are so often not taken seriously.
117 likes
@RecoveringSkoomaAddict
Harder than ever to live with invisible disabilities in today’s America. Thanks for being an outlet for their voices!
102 likes
@VisualizeJess
I was born with Neurocardiogenic Syncope and was diagnosed with POTS at the age of 17. Both fall under the Dysautonomia umbrella. I don’t know what “normal” feels like because both disorders have been in my life for as long as I can remember. For those just getting diagnosed, please know that this isn’t the end of your path. It’s a new path and it can still include joy and all your dreams. It will look and feel differently, but never give up hope. ❤
100 likes
@Imogen89037
I have adhd, depression, and chronic heart pain. I’ve struggled with my belief that I’m “lazy”, when in reality I’m struggling with my conditions. I am much more than my illnesses, I’m a brother, I’m a college student, I’m a songwriter and drag performer. It makes me happy to see people like me. Thank you 💙
74 likes
@angko-pe
I'm so happy you brought back the intro.
I would love to see updates from some of the people featured in it, like Ruby.
I've also been wondering what's going on with the six blind kids. How are they all doing these days?
69 likes
@Pualani_777
My father has fibromyalgia and one time he almost got attacked and had police called on him for them assuming he was using a handicap parking plaque illegally, just because he “doesn’t look disabled “. He lives in pain and has been for over 30 years.
Be strong anyone dealing with this, there’s a lot of unkindness and ignorance in the world. But this channel will educate and open minds and hearts!
10 likes
@browneyedcarney
I recently found out a newer coworker of mine has POTS. I asked her to tell me how it affects her and I'm grateful she was willing to share what she experiences. Now I'm even more enlightened. Thank you Gabby, Mel and Buddy for sharing with all of us. I wish you all good things ❤️ ❤️ ❤️ And, thank you Chris, for the work you do through kindness. ❤️
42 likes
@TruBear1981TTV
I have POTS as well as Lupus, CRPS (a pain condition), an Immune Deficiency, and Fibromyalgia. I submitted an email to SBSK because he said they are touring the East coast looking for friends stories this fall. I hope one day to do an interview with SBSK, I love this channel. ❤ I want to take part in sharing awareness to these conditions and disabilities.
87 likes
@dennisemaracle2475
It was interesting to hear about her eating disorders. I am 74 and I won't eat anything if I don't know what it is, especially combinations of food like casseroles etc. I tend to eat very simple meals and don't like to mix my foods. I am a very picky eater. But I'm alive and well and in reasonably good health for my age.
53 likes
@NTGreekGal
Thank you for bringing back the amazing intro :)
37 likes
@spicycheesegaming8390
I wish this person a positive life cuz she is a true inspiration, keep on shining ✨️
50 likes
@Helene_Nielsen
She is so inspirational and articulate! I really like hearing about ARFID. It's not a recognized diagnosis in Denmark yet, but I'm pretty sure I'm affected by it as well. I have a very complicated and unhealthy relationship with foods. Not just being picky, but textures, tastes, being afraid of cooking and generally scared of food which can trigger a severe panic attack and make me throw up.
Also, the touching one shoulder and having to touch the other shoulder. I just sighed so hard when I heard her describe that. I cannot stand when I'm touched one place but not the other. It's like a huge imbalance and can really mess with me. Not because I think something bad is going to happen, but I need it to be even. I'm not diagnosed with OCD, but it was really nice to realized that I'm not the only one struggling with that. Even when walking and stepping on a crack in the sidewalk with one foot, I'm actively searching for another crack to step on with my other foot. Holy moly...
I do have one question for you, Chris. I noticed that the word "disorder" is being bleeped whenever you guys mentioned "eating disorders". I'm wondering why that is bleeped?
42 likes
@jacksonhart5961
I have all three of these as well as autism and anxiety and it is awful. Thanks for brining awareness to this, and please use your platform to speak out against RFK’s attack on the autism community.
106 likes
@jeanetteh.9240
Gabby, you explained your maladies very well. Perhaps one day you could work in public relations for an association that supports people who also have these disorders. I truly sympathize with your daily challenges. Thank you for sharing what your life is like.
21 likes
@berglettemom6045
These sisters, and Gaby’s fiancé, are lovely people! What a great interview, Chris. I noticed that neither of the sisters mentioned their parents, and I got the feeling that they had some struggles as children, even beyond their issues with ARFID. I hope they’ve been able to find comfort and resolution of some kind
23 likes
@lydiaschoch6491
Living with an invisible disability or disabilities is so hard. (Some) people definitely do have trouble understanding how someone could look “healthy” or “normal” yet still have mental and/or physical health challenges that limit what they are able to do. Thank you for sharing your story, Gabby. You are not alone, and I hope your video will help educate SBSK viewers about a few of invisible illnesses that are out there. Education is so powerful. :)
15 likes