This week, October 18–24, is Invisible Disabilities Week. The Invisible Disabilities Association founded the observance in 2014 to raise awareness, education, and support for people living with conditions others can't see.
An invisible disability is one that is not obvious from a person's appearance. It can include chronic pain and fatigue, autism and other developmental disabilities, mental health conditions, brain injuries, epilepsy, diabetes, autoimmune and neurological conditions, learning differences, and hearing or vision loss. Many people living with these conditions hear some version of "But you look fine."
At McFadden Bushnell, we see how that gap between appearance and reality shows up in planning. Families put off decisions because a loved one seems to be managing. Then an illness, a parent's death, or a change in benefits forces those decisions in a crisis. A little planning now can prevent that.
1. Protect eligibility for public benefits
Many people with disabilities rely on needs-based programs such as Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Medicaid. These programs have strict limits on what a person can own. A well-meaning inheritance, life insurance payout, or gift left directly to your loved one can disqualify them until the money is spent down.
A supplemental needs trust (also called a special needs trust) can hold assets for your loved one without counting against those limits. The trustee can use the funds for things benefits don't cover, such as therapies, education, travel, technology, or quality-of-life expenses. The right type of trust depends on whose money funds it and the family's goals.
2. Review your own estate plan and beneficiary designations
If you have a child, grandchild, or other family member with a disability, check every document that passes property at your death. That includes your will, your trust, life insurance, retirement accounts, and transfer-on-death or payable-on-death designations. Leaving assets to a supplemental needs trust instead of directly to the individual is often the key change.
Talk with other relatives too. A grandparent's will or a sibling's life insurance can undo careful planning just as easily.
3. Consider a STABLE Account, now available to more Ohioans
ABLE accounts let people with disabilities save and invest without jeopardizing most means-tested benefits. Ohio's version is called the STABLE Account. Earnings grow tax-free when used for qualified disability expenses.
As of January 1, 2026, the federal ABLE Age Adjustment Act raised the age-of-onset requirement from 26 to 46. That means many adults whose disabilities began later in life, including veterans and people diagnosed with chronic conditions in their 30s or early 40s, are newly eligible. A STABLE Account often works well alongside a supplemental needs trust, and we can help you decide how to use the two together.
4. Put powers of attorney and health care documents in place
Invisible disabilities can fluctuate. Someone may be fully capable most days and need help during a flare, a hospitalization, or a mental health crisis. A financial power of attorney, health care power of attorney, living will, and HIPAA authorization let a trusted person step in when needed, on the terms your loved one chooses.
For adults with disabilities who can sign these documents, they are often a less restrictive alternative to guardianship. When a guardianship is truly necessary, Ohio law also lets parents nominate future guardians in advance.
5. Write down what others can't see
A letter of intent is a non-binding document that tells future caregivers and trustees what they need to know. It can cover routines, medications, doctors, triggers, sensory needs, communication preferences, and what a good day looks like. It is often the most valuable gift a parent leaves, because it captures knowledge no court or agency has.
Let's start the conversation
Invisible Disabilities Week is a reminder to look past appearances and listen. If someone in your family lives with an invisible disability, we would be glad to help you build a plan that protects their benefits, their independence, and their dignity.
Contact McFadden Bushnell LLC at (216) 714-0090 or visit www.mcfaddenbushnell.com to schedule a consultation. Our office is located at 20600 Chagrin Boulevard, Suite 805, Shaker Heights, Ohio 44122.
This article is for general informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Reading it does not create an attorney-client relationship. Please consult an attorney about your specific situation.