Addressing the conference in Blackpool’s Winter Gardens, Dave McCrossen said: “Despite the fact that chronic kidney disease is relatively common, affecting 1 in 10 of the general population, there are currently low levels of awareness of it in the UK. Like the vast majority of disabilities, chronic kidney disease is an invisible impairment, as generally speaking, it's hidden.
“The issue of hidden disability is important because the idea that a 'real' disability must be visible is more common than you might think. There are millions of people living with serious illnesses, injuries and disabilities, which leave them with mountains to climb every day of their lives.
“Chronic pain, breathlessness, dizziness, severe fatigue, hearing difficulties, problems with concentration, memory and mood. All of these conditions are invisible but that doesn't make them any less real. Despite recent progress, particularly since the Coronavirus pandemic and the growing popularity of the sunflower lanyard, the idea that anyone who isn't visibly disabled isn't really disabled hasn't gone away.
“For some years now, Usdaw has been raising awareness of hidden disability and the rights members with invisible impairments have at work. However, specifically raising awareness of kidney disease is something we can do more of.”
Notes for editors:
Usdaw (Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers) is one of the fastest growing unions in the TUC and the UK's fifth biggest trade union with around 360,000 members. Most Usdaw members work in the retail sector, but the union also has many members in transport, distribution, food manufacturing, chemical industry and other trades www.usdaw.org.uk
For Usdaw press releases visit: www.usdaw.org.uk/news and you can follow us on Bluesky @usdawunion.bsky.social and Twitter/X @UsdawUnion