Invisible Disabilities Week 2026 – 18-24 October

Around 80% of all disabilities are invisible or non-apparent and they frequently lead to a sense of disbelief from other onlookers who are not directly affected.

You see, disbelief about illness or pain by those surrounding the person who lives daily with the challenges that invisible disabilities brings can lead to misunderstandings, rejection by friends, family and even health care providers.

It may also lead to accusations of laziness or faking an illness and can certainly cause issues in the car parking lot 😦

Invisible Disabilities® Association (IDA) are passionate about changing this and providing awareness that invisible illness, pain and disabilities are very real!

Founded in 1996 their mission is to encourage, educate and connect people and organizations touched by illness, pain and disability around the globe. This mission along with listening, believing and supporting make up their core values:

Encouraging: They value encouraging others by providing hope and validation to individuals living with invisible disabilities, empowering them to realize they are not alone in their journey.

Educating: They value educating the public by raising global awareness and providing vital resources that bridge the gap of understanding regarding invisible disabilities.

Connecting: They value connecting communities by building a vibrant, global network that unites individuals, families, and organizations to share experiences and foster mutual support for those with invisible disabilities.

Listening: They value listening as the practice of actively and compassionately hearing the lived experiences of those with invisible disabilities without judgment or skepticism.

Believing: They value believing as the fundamental commitment to accepting a person’s reality and symptoms at face value, even when their invisible disabilities are not outwardly visible.

Supporting: They value supporting their members by providing the necessary advocacy and practical tools that empower people living with invisible disabilities to navigate their daily lives more effectively.

This year marks a monumental milestone for the disability community especially within the USA as it has been exactly 30 years since a spark of empathy and a desperate need for validation evolved into the IDA.

In 2014 Invisible Disabilities^® Week was launched and now turns the world blue every October 🙂

By educating the world about the invisible battle that people with invisible disabilities face, IDA continues to ensure that every person is seen, heard, and supported. And they all become Invisible No More!

You and I can help by checking out the Invisible Disabilities Week online on Facebook and Instagram, sharing and inviting our friends, family, and medical teams to the groups and pages. Sharing and commenting on their posts and TAG #invisibledisabilitiesweek and #iaminvisiblenomore on our posts!

If you have an invisible disability you could also share your story, the challenges, frustrations and triumphs that you face! Expressing what helps get you through the day and make your courage visible.

You see, this week is important because of how many people still don’t believe invisible disabilities exist just because you can’t see them. You and I can’t spread education and awareness about something that people don’t even want to acknowledge is real.

So, there are lots of different ways to bring invisible disability awareness to the fore. One example includes learning about the sunflower lanyard. This is an internationally recognised symbol that’s becoming more and more prominent in many countries.

You see, the sunflower lanyard represents hidden disabilities and people who wear the lanyard can let people know that they have a hidden disability and in certain places they can receive support if they need it. This can include shops and banks or other public spaces such as airports etc.

This week you could learn about the sunflower lanyard and Invisible Disabilities Week and teach your children and grandchildren about it, too. You could even teach your tamariki (children) and rangatahi (young people) more about invisible disabilities and how they may affect people by researching them online.

Blessings ’til next time 🙂

Mental Health Awareness Week – Poem

As we close out Mental Health Awareness Week this year I was reminded of a poem that my youngest daughter wrote, a couple of years ago, relating to some of the challenges that she had been facing.

It was quite pertinent at the time as I was having to spend months in social isolation due to the medications that I was taking to keep my rare and incurable autoimmune disease, Scleroderma, in check.

You see, medications can often exasperate and/or relieve symptoms and when one is diagnosed with a mental health disorder / disease and/or a chronic illness the mental toll can be hard for people to cope with and navigate, even if one has good supports and a loving community around them.

She writes:

Weed
– – – Crack
– – – – – – Meth
– – – – – – – – – Ecstasy
DRUGS

They ruin your body

they corrupt your mind

But what if your mind

is already corrupt?

Sertraline
– – – Mirtazapine
– – – – – – Escitalopram
– – – – – – – – – Venlafaxine
DRUGS

They have fancier names

they get prescribed

But what is the risk?

Negative side effects
– – – Troubled relationships
– – – – – – Health issues
– – – – – – – – – Addiction
DRUGS

They say don’t do drugs

they are death to some

But mine give me life,

is that not allowed?

---

The drugs / medications that I have to take give me life!

And I’m extremely thankful that they are funded (through a special authority) as it decreases a raft of other anxieties that I’d otherwise have to work though.

You see, the mental, physical and emotional toll that it takes in obtaining medications that are not funded for ones condition along with the financial pressure can have a negative effect on people. And it doesn’t necessarily have to be this way – but that’s a whole other conversation.

Needless to say we still have to remind our youngest, from time to time, that some medications are beneficial and some are not. And that connecting with others through the likes of developing strong caring relationships and support groups / structures, those places that you turn to when you’re not doing so well or just need some encouragement are extremely worthwhile building into our lives. As they create a sense of belonging – and that matters!

As “community is not just about being together. It’s about doing life together.” (Unknown)

According to Dean Ornish an American physician, researcher and author
“the need for connection and community is primal, as fundamental as the need for air, water, and food.“

We can each create small, everyday moments of connection to help combat rising loneliness, declining trust, and social isolation across Aotearoa New Zealand and the world.

So, if you or someone you care about are in need of some help, below is a list of some of the services available here in New Zealand. They offer support, information and help to get you through whatever you are facing.

All services are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week unless otherwise specified.

Are you feeling in crisis, facing immediate physical danger to yourself or others? Then call 111. For more information see mentalhealth.org.nz/ in-crisis.

Just need to talk?
Free call or text 1737 any time for support from a trained counsellor
Lifeline – 0800 543 354 (0800 LIFELINE) or free text 4357 (HELP)
Suicide Crisis Helpline – 0508 828 865 (0508 TAUTOKO)
Youthline – 0800 376 633, free text 234 or email or online chat

Blessings ’til next time 🙂

New beginnings

“Every day is a chance to begin again. Don’t focus on the failures of yesterday, start today with positive thoughts and expectations.” Catherine Pulsifer

God reminds us in Isaiah 43:18 to “Stop dwelling on the past. Don’t even remember these former things.” (The Passion Translation)

This verse calls people to stop focusing on historical hardships, failures, or even past victories so that they can notice the new things happening around them.

You see, everyday is a new beginning – Isaiah goes on to provide us with a promise to hold on to. For, God is “doing something brand new, something unheard of. Even now it sprouts and grows and matures. Don’t you perceive it?

[He] will make a way in the wilderness and open up flowing streams in the desert. Wild beasts, jackals, and owls will glorify [Him].

For [He] will supply streams of water in the desert and rivers in the wilderness to satisfy the thirst of [His] people, [His] chosen ones, so that you [and I], whom [He] has shaped and formed for [Him]self, will proclaim [His] praise.”
Isaiah 43:19-21 (The Passion Translation)

“Every sunset is an opportunity to reset. Every sunrise begins with new eyes.” Richie Norton – And “Every morning’s dew is a fresh breath of a new beginning.” Jessica Edouard

The thing is, for those of us that profess Jesus Christ as our Lord and Saviour each day is an opportunity to start afresh as “Anyone who belongs to Christ is a new person. The past is forgotten, and everything is new.”
2 Corinthians 5:17 (Contemporary English Version)

“Every day is a fresh start, a blank canvas to paint upon.” Craig Sager

And “It’s never too late for a new beginning in your life.” Joyce Meyer

So Lord, today I pray that you: “Keep creating in me a clean heart. Fill me with pure thoughts and holy desires, ready to please you.”
Psalms 51:10 (The Passion Translation)

Blessings ’til next time 🙂

Grandparent Duty

Today is grandparent duty 🥰

I did get some time to do some building work done at Patrick’s and Dee’s place while they are away though – nothing major or anything – just putting some siding up on a storage shed.

After picking up Jack from daycare, Annette & I got to spend some time this afternoon checking in on the dotting parents at the hospital and enjoying some hugs with Esmae.

All going well Christina & Adam, along with this bundle of joy, will be coming home on Sunday at this stage anyway – unless they get an early release.

Tonight we are having a movie night with Jack – his pick is PAW Patrol: The movie in which Ryder and his team of six intelligent puppies set out to stop Mayor Humdinger from wreaking havoc in the bustling metropolis.

After dinner we may even get to watch PAW Patrol: The Mighty Movie where a magical meteor gives the pups superpowers after crashing in Adventure City, and they must stop Mayor Humdinger and Victoria Vance.

Although, apparently Jack will need his bucket bath – so we’ll see how things go, as he could always have that in the morning – maybe that’s grandparent prerogative.

Blessings ’til next time 🙂

Lovingly welcomed into this world

Today #4 grandchild arrived – her eviction was completed @ 10:48 this morning, weighing in at 7lb 9oz and measuring 51cm.

Mum and bubs are both doing well and dad is smitten with his precious little princess 😍 Time will tell if she wraps him round her little fingers, although earlier indications are that she will in no time at all.

Esmae Christina Frame-Bray has been lovingly welcomed into this world by both sets of grandparents, although the hugs and snuggles may have to wait for a few days until mum and bubs can head home from Southland hospital.

Nana Net is already fussing and dotting over the latest addition and ensuring that Esmae and her parents have everything they need 🙂

No doubt Esmae’s brother will keep her safe as he learns what it means to be a big brother, and together I’m pretty sure they will get up to plenty of mischief, especially when their cousin comes to play or when they visit her; seeing as they live in the same city.

Earlier this year we welcomed Athena Julie Kelley Bray who already has her parents and grandparents wrapped around her little fingers.

What’s more Esmae will get to share her birthday with her auntie, so that should make things easier to remember for this ole cogger 😁

The above pic is of Athena earlier this year enjoying some zzz’s after spitting the dummy – Why is it that they always look so cute, especially when they are asleep 😍

For Annette & I within the space of a year we’ve managed to age significantly now that all of our children have been married off and the amount of grandchildren have doubled in number.

In due course I’m sure that the family gatherings will be fun-filled and joyous occasions, and full on with much laughter and shenanigans to be had.

Blessings ’til next time 🙂

Going on an adventure

Yesterday morning as Annette & I were just getting out of bed, I turned to her and in my best Hobbit voice said “We’re going on an adventure!” Not that we were running late or anything, as we were certainly not running first thing in the morning – But hey!

You see, we were heading down South to Invercargill for a couple of weeks to see the Grandies, which will include our yet to be named / born latest. All going to plan she will be evicted on Thursday and we’ll get to enjoy spending some quality time with all four of them while we are there.

So we finished packing the car and headed off after saying our goodbyes, Magpie counter in hand and that’s a whole other story 🙂

After a while we figured we’d take a few pictures along the way so that we (and you) can enjoy the beautiful scenery that we have in Aotearoa New Zealand. Seeing as we were taking the inland scenic route we got to follow the Southern Alps for much of the journey and appreciate the range of arable use of the land. From the dairy farming to cattle farming, from sheep farming to deer farming, mixed-cropping farms and forestry.

New Zealand features many iconic landscapes (many of which featured in the Hobbit and Lord of the Rings) where patchwork farmland, rolling green hills, and deep valleys meet. We crossed plenty of rivers and streams, and went through many a vale, dale, glen, and hollow – as well as gorges, ravines, and gullies.

Before coming across a fairytale castle (Riverstone Castle) and stopped for Fish & Chips at Riverstone Kitchen and enjoyed a very brief visit of their garden centre. This is becoming a regular drop off point to enable us to stretch our legs and refresh our energy levels.

We traversed even more beautiful rolling farmland before taking in a few of the sights of the Oamaru Victorian Heritage Precinct (often referred to as the Victorian Sector) which is the most complete collection of 19th-century commercial and civic stone architecture.

This historic streetscape was constructed in the 1860s to 1880s from locally quarried, creamy limestone known as “Oamaru whitestone” and it features cobblestone paths, monumental facades, and locals are frequently spotted in period clothing or riding penny-farthing bicycles.

Next time we pass through we may well have to check out Steampunk HQ which housed in a grand 1883 grain store building, this museum serves as the epicenter of Oamaru’s status as the Steampunk Capital of the World. It features post-apocalyptic industrial sculptures, interactive kinetic art, and the popular multi-sensory “Infinity Portal” light installation.

On the way to our next stop, the Moeraki Boulders we passed the Mill House. Known in Māori as Te Kaihīnaki they are an iconic cluster of large, spherical stone formations scattered across Koekohe Beach on the Otago coast of New Zealand’s South Island.

They are grey septarian concretions formed around 60 million years ago on the ancient sea floor, slowly exposed by wave erosion of the surrounding mudstone cliffs. According to Maori legend, the boulders are gourds washed ashore from the great voyaging canoe Araiteuru when it was wrecked upon landfall in New Zealand hundreds of years ago.

After a brief cuppa and slice at the Moeraki Café, Bar and Gift Shop we set off on our way to Dunedin. The weather was becoming increasingly greyer overhead as we passed through the Cloud Forests of Leith.

As State Highway 1 climbs over the Silverpeaks range, it reaches its highest point at the Leith Saddle (380m), which is surrounded by a lush, native podocarp-broadleaved rainforest often blanketed in mist.

As we left Dunedin behind and headed out on our last leg of the trip the weather started clearing up and funnily the further South we travelled it seemed to get lighter and brighter. The sun coming out from behind the clouds was obviously playing a part – but it also tends to stay lighter for longer at this time of the year.

For a while there it almost seemed that just about every field was dotted with these fluffy dirty white things, the smaller they were the whiter they seemed and as we got closer to them, or when they were in the closer paddocks it became more obvious that the number of sheep was increasing 🙂

We also came across these gigantic mechanical metal rotors on huge towers that were whirling around, and around, and around in the wind. At one point they appeared like some science fiction scene on the horizon overlooking the valley with their imposing size making everything around them look small in comparison.

This wind farm has been many years in development and is hopefully now generating enough energy to power a small town, or at least that is what we get told was going to happen 🙂

Anyhow, we arrived in Invercargill with the sun still shining, appreciative of the welcome hugs with loved ones and certainly in need of a cuppa. We enjoyed a late dinner and tour of the new house before relaxing for the rest of the evening before heading for bed.

Unfortunately, we haven’t come across any treasure at this point like Bilbo did in his adventure – but then again we have a return journey to traverse in a couple of weeks time and a few things to do while we are here.

In the meantime, I hope you’ve enjoyed this recap of our escapades yesterday.

Blessings ’til next time 🙂