Matt Glaman Reflects on Acknowledging a Disability

In a deeply personal blog post titled "Learning it's okay to acknowledge you have a disability," Matt Glaman reflects on a lifelong struggle with juvenile idiopathic arthritis, diagnosed at age two and later identified as psoriatic at age eight. He details how this chronic illness severely impacted his dominant left wrist, resulting in fused carpal bones and limited mobility. These physical challenges caused difficulties in school, especially with handwriting, and excluded him from many physical activities.

Glaman shares how the invisibility and gradual adaptation to his limitations led him to avoid labeling his condition as a disability. Social and educational pressures made him downplay the pain and limitations he experienced. A teacher’s comment suggesting he switch hands to improve his handwriting highlights the lack of understanding he often encountered.

A turning point came after a 16-year gap in treatment when a rheumatologist used the word “remission” during a recent consultation. This moment reframed his experience, prompting him to acknowledge the long-term impacts of his condition. Glaman hopes this reflection encourages others facing similar chronic but under-recognized conditions to reconsider what qualifies as a disability.