From October 15th to 21st, join us in raising awareness, education and support.

When Ben Galagan was 13 years old, he experienced a life-altering injury on the school playground. A traumatic brain injury resulted in emergency surgery and a medically induced coma that lasted a week. It took months to learn how to walk and talk again. 

"To this day, there are still challenges I face from my injury. I have a cognitive and learning disability that affects my ability to process, understand, remember, and communicate information," explains Ben, who is now 23 years old and completing his degree in economics. 

Invisible disabilities can include brain injuries, learning differences, chronic pain, mental health issues, and more. They are often dismissed or misunderstood, creating stigma and discrimination. 

"I want people to know that disabilities are not always visible or verbal. There are hidden challenges people face. We should treat everyone with kindness and understanding." 

As Manitoba Possible’s Ambassador, Ben is fostering open conversations and awareness around invisible disabilities, hoping to create a more understanding and inclusive society. 

"I want to show others with an invisible disability that it is not a limit on what you can do." 

For more information on Invisible Disabilities Week, visit the Invisible Disabilities Association’s website.