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Compassion Fatigue in the Disabled Community

Iman Khair
Disabled Champs
Published in
5 min readAug 8, 2024

Compassion Fatigue is a state of physical, emotional, and mental exhaustion resulting from the chronic stress of caring for others. It’s often experienced by caregivers, healthcare professionals, and those who support individuals in need.

For disabled individuals, compassion fatigue can arise from supporting self and/or others and the constant advocacy and self-care required to navigate an ableist world. The physical demands of managing a disability, coupled with the emotional labour of advocacy, can be overwhelming.

Disabled advocates can be called ableist or attacked for using the wrong or offensive language unknowingly. For example, a disabled person whose first, or even second, language is not English might use a term related to disability that is now considered derogatory in the English-speaking world. They may be labelled as ableist for using a wrong word, despite not intending it to be offensive. This misunderstanding can occur because they haven’t had the opportunity to come across and fully understand how some words have come to be seen as derogatory.

The nature of pushing through as a full-time advocate often puts disabled individuals on the receiving end of anger from others and in a position where they are expected to do things perfectly. This pressure can make them feel like they have not done enough when they need a break, and they often believe it is their duty to advocate tirelessly.

An illustration of a person with tired and teary eyes hearing words said to them in their head: ‘Offensive language!’, ‘Ableist’, and ‘How can you not know?’, along with their own thoughts as an advocate for disabled community: ‘I’m very scared but this is my duty’, ‘This is very hard’ and ‘I haven’t done enough.’
Source: Canva

To make the world a better place for the disabled community, we naturally have to rely on disabled individuals to educate others about their conditions and advocate for accessibility. This reliance places an extra layer of stress and responsibility on them, especially when the workload falls primarily on their shoulders.

Signs and Symptoms of Compassion Fatigue

Recognising the signs of compassion fatigue is crucial for managing its impact. Common physical symptoms include headaches, insomnia, and chronic fatigue. Emotionally, individuals might experience irritability, apathy, and a sense of detachment from their surroundings. For example, a disabled person who used to be passionate about their advocacy work may start feeling indifferent or even resentful towards it. These symptoms can be compounded by the daily challenges of managing their disabilities.

Understanding the Daily Pain

Disabled advocates with chronic illnesses often face immense physical and emotional pain daily. This pain can manifest in various ways, such as intermittent or constant joint pain, muscle spasms, and nerve pain, all of which can be debilitating and exhausting.

For example, someone with cerebral palsy may experience muscle stiffness and spasms, involuntary movements, chronic pain in their joints, and fatigue due to the increased effort required for daily activities.

An illustration of a person looking tired, sitting in a wheelchair at their computer with a figurative rainy cloud above their head, a window with a night sky outside, a wall clock showing 3am, a board filled with sticky notes at the back, and their medicines and a houseplant at the corner.
Source: Canva

Navigating societal barriers requires a continuous process of trust and strength. The daily struggle to survive while facing ignorance or lack of support from others can lead to profound frustration and anger. A person with cerebral palsy might become frustrated when they repeatedly encounter inaccessible public spaces or when people fail to understand the severity of their condition.

It’s essential to give space to understand the root cause of their emotions. Their anger and frustration often stem from a constant battle against systemic barriers and a lack of understanding from those around them. For instance, when a disabled person expresses frustration over an inaccessible venue, it’s not just about that single event but a lifetime of similar obstacles.

Learning about their experiences and needs involves listening actively, educating ourselves about their challenges, and advocating alongside them. To be better allies, we must recognise their pain, validate their experiences, and work towards creating a more inclusive and supportive environment. This means advocating for accessible environments, supporting policies that improve the quality of life for disabled individuals, and providing emotional and practical support when appropriate.

Managing Compassion Fatigue

Managing compassion fatigue involves recognising personal limits and setting boundaries. It’s important for disabled individuals and advocates to prioritise their own well-being and understand that it’s okay to step back from advocacy when needed. For example, someone might decide to limit their advocacy work to a few hours a week, rest, and focus on hobbies they enjoy. Seeking support from mental health professionals and leaning on support networks can provide much-needed relief.

A blind person with a walking stick walking his blind dog in a park with a person in a wheelchair passing a basketball to a kid and a carer, a disabled cat walking alongside a snail, a tortoise at the other end, birds flying in the sky, mountains across, trees and flowers in the background, grass and flowers on the ground.
Source: Canva

Lifting the Burden

To lift the burden of compassion fatigue off disabled individuals, it is essential for us to create a supportive environment that acknowledges and addresses the unique challenges faced by them.

We need to share the responsibility of education and advocacy more broadly. Instead of relying solely on disabled individuals to educate others about their conditions and advocate for accessibility, we should encourage allies to take an active role.

By spreading this workload, we can reduce the extra layer of stress and responsibility that often falls disproportionately on disabled individuals, ensuring a more supportive and inclusive environment for all. By ensuring that disabled individuals have access to resources and support systems, we can alleviate some of the pressures they face and cultivate a more inclusive and empathetic society.

Final Note

Compassion fatigue among disabled advocates is a significant yet often overlooked issue. By recognising the multifaceted challenges faced by the disabled community and pursuing ongoing improvements, it’s possible to manage and mitigate its impact. Remember, strength and community support are key, and together, we can advocate for a more understanding and accessible world.

In the process of creating this article, valuable insights and perspectives were gathered from the discourse within the disabled advocates community on LinkedIn. The following individuals contributed significantly to the development of this content:

References

Compassion Fatigue
Compassion Corner
Advocacy
Mental Health
Burnout

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Iman Khair
Disabled Champs

Written by Iman Khair

43 Followers
Editor for

I write about my personal journey through life with grief. I also write at my disability advocacy publication 'Disabled Champs'.

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