Dear Friends,

My name is William, and I’m 11-years old. I am twice exceptional (which isn’t always as exceptional as it may sound) with autism, ADHD, and dyslexia. I also have anxiety. I want to tell you about something really important to me, something that I hope will help make our community more understanding, kind, and supportive for everyone.

It’s called William’s Glasses.

What is William’s Glasses?

William’s Glasses is a group that I started to help people learn about invisible disabilities. Things like autism, dyslexia, ADHD, anxiety, and more. These are disabilities you can’t always see, but they can make life harder in ways that other people don’t always understand. Sometimes, people like me, who have an invisible disability, feel left out or struggle with things that others don’t even notice. My goal is to help people see the world the way I do, through my “glasses.”

Why Does This Matter?

Invisible disabilities can make things like school, making friends, or even just everyday life more challenging. Sometimes, people don’t realize when someone is struggling, so they might not be as patient or kind as they could be. I believe that if we all learn more about each other and understand what others go through, we can be a more caring and supportive community. I also know how hard it is on parents of children with invisible disabilities, and I want William’s Glasses to be a place where they can find support, too.

Our Logo

The logo for William's Glasses features a pair of glasses, symbolizing how those with invisible disabilities see the world and how they are seen by others. The colors of the logo represent the diverse spectrum of disabilities and the struggles of those who live with them, as displayed on the Disability Pride Flag. Each color holds deep significance:

• Red - physical disabilities

• Gold - neurodiversity

• White - invisible disabilities and disabilities that haven't yet been diagnosed

• Blue - emotional and psychiatric disabilities, including mental illness, anxiety, and depression

• Green - for sensory disabilities, including deafness, blindness, lack of smell, lack of taste, audio processing disorder, and all other sensory disabilities

• Black - for victims of ableist violence and abuse.

The smudges convey how those with invisible disabilities often navigate challenges with resilience and clarity, seeing beyond obstacles with strength and insight. Also, my glasses are always smudged.