ABSTRACT
This chapter is about part of the disability community that is most often forgotten in media representations, even though they are the largest part of the disability community worldwide – people with nonvisible disabilities/chronic illnesses. In addition to their disabling conditions, these disabled people have to make decisions about disclosing their disabilities in the face of disbelief, mocking, and sometimes even violence. This chapter relies on the research of U.S. Disability Studies scholar Susan G. Cumings, who analyzes how people with nonvisible disabilities are using a variety of social media and online platforms to show their lives and experiences with conditions that are not readily apparent. Cumings’ analysis illustrates how disabled creators in social media/online spaces challenge ableism and foster community for others. The chapter applies Cumings’ ideas to the work of American disabled YouTuber/artist/social media activist Annie Segarra, who identifies as a queer, Latinx person with multiple nonvisible disabilities. Segarra is a significant voice for this community, creating much video content on their Annie Elainey YouTube channel. The chapter highlights the Peacock streaming channel reality show, Born for Business (2021), with two of its four cast members being women with nonvisible disabilities: Qiana Allen who has lupus and Lexi Zanghi who has an anxiety disorder. The reality television show gives unparalleled visibility to people with nonvisible disabilities, as well as showing how disabled people support each other in times of trouble (the Covid-19 pandemic began in the middle of shooting Born for Business). Finally, this chapter considers the musical dramedy American television show Crazy Ex-Girlfriend (2015–2019) on The CW network. Disability studies and medical rhetoric scholar Caitlin E. Ray explains that the show highlights the cripped perspectives of the main character Rebecca Bunch (an attorney who is eventually diagnosed with borderline personality disorder, BPD). Created by American singer/actor/comedian/writer Rachel Bloom, who has been open about her diagnoses of anxiety and depression, the show drew praise from people with BPD and other mental health disabilities. Bloom says her own mental health has improved through being open and honest about it and telling the story of mental illness in her work. Crazy Ex-Girlfriend gives a powerful voice to a character with a nonvisible and heavily stigmatized disability, who navigates her way toward a happy life with a community of friends who value her.
