Removing stigma. Elevating voices.
A social enterprise non-profit dedicated to educating people, empowering voices, and removing the stigma attached to Invisible Conditions.
We seek to drive social change and break down barriers through digital publications, workplace training, and community engagement.
Invisible Condition was formed from our shared values and core beliefs in:
Curiosity
Seeking knowledge by asking questions with sensitivity and listening with respect.
Connection
Creating community by spreading awareness so that nobody feels alone.
Compassion
Having concern for the suffering of others and wanting to help.
Invisible Condition was founded in 2023 by Tim Reitsma as a result of his personal challenges dealing with Crohn’s Disease, both at home and in the workplace (read his story here). Through his journey, and talking with others who struggle with the stigma of invisible conditions, he saw a need to drive social change, educate others, and redefine the term “normal”.
Did you know: One in four Americans and one in five Canadians live with a disability?
When we look around at our family, friends, classmates, and colleagues, there is a high probability we know someone with an invisible condition, but we don’t know! Often, people choose not to share their story because of fear:
Fear of judgment
Fear of discrimination
Fear of shame or embarrassment
Fear of disbelief
Fear of ____________
An invisible condition is a non-apparent illness or health condition (physical or mental) that isn’t apparent, or obvious, to someone else. Invisible conditions may include, but aren’t limited to: Autoimmune disorders, Mental illnesses, Neurodiverse conditions, Chronic pain or fatigue, Mental or physical traumas, Cancers, or Brain injuries.
“Our dream at Invisible Condition is a world where those of us with invisible conditions can live and work without fear.
Let’s stop hiding.”
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Tim Reitsma
FOUNDER, CEO, BOARD CHAIR
Tim is a skilled leader with over 15 years of strategy, operations, HR, digital content and podcasting experience. He has held various senior leadership positions in industries including media, manufacturing, and clean-tech. He also co-founded a leading HR and leadership publication called People Managing People where you can find his original articles and past podcast episodes.
Tim is always up to collaborate with organizations that are determined to normalize invisible conditions in their workplace through workshops, speaking, or presentations. He has previously worked with Squirrel Systems, Change Grow Live Coventry, Spark Creations, and various educational institutes.
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Tania Reitsma
BOARD MEMBER
Tania was born and raised in Vancouver, BC, Canada. Not only does Tania live with an invisible condition—Ankylosing Spondylitis autoimmune arthritis—she has also played a significant role as a caregiver during Tim’s journey with Crohn’s disease.
As Tim’s wife and mother of their two young kids, Tania’s got a lot on her mind about the topic of invisible conditions. She believes in the importance of self-advocacy when it comes to the effective management of personal health. She also believes that every individual has the ability to help someone else, by sharing their story, lending a helping hand, or providing a soft shoulder to cry on.
What does Tania do when she’s not busy wiggling around in her chair because of her sore back? As a freelance copywriter and blog writer, Tania helps small businesses communicate their unique brand stories and values—in ways that resonate with their target customers.
Outside of work, Tania likes to lift up her community and local merchants in her neighbourhood through her Steveston People Blog and Podcast.
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Michael Gibbons
BOARD MEMBER
Michael is a growth advisor and consultant with extensive experience in sales, marketing, and product strategy; organizational and corporate development; and business operations.
He has held various senior leadership positions in the technology and manufacturing industries, most recently as the Vice President of Product at ChopValue.
After much soul-searching Michael made the decision in 2018 to leave the corporate world and help other companies mature, grow responsibly, and live true to their values. When he's not working he spends time with his family and his dogs, and enjoys skiing, biking, and the outdoors.
Michael is guided in life by his deeply-held beliefs in connection, curiosity, humour, empathy, and honesty.
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Tamara Wilson
BOARD MEMBER
Tamara is a Human Resources expert with over 20 years of experience across various industries. She focuses on building positive workplace cultures and improving organizational performance through strategic HR initiatives. As an Executive Coach and certified INSIGHTS Discovery Practitioner, Tamara excels in unlocking individuals' potential, achieving both personal and professional growth.
Tamara's ability to build strong relationships at all organizational levels has been crucial in driving transformative change and promoting an inclusive and collaborative environment.
Driven by a passion for meaningful HR innovation, Tamara leverages data and technology to enhance processes and support employee empowerment. Her commitment to fostering environments that encourage both professional and personal development highlights her focus on the human side of business.
Invisible Not Broken - Podcast
Chronically Ill and Me - Podcast
Within People - Podcast
People Managing People - Writer
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Baby Bean Consulting supports women who are going through a miscarriage, pregnancy after loss, or have experienced birth trauma. How we help is through medical advocacy, healthcare system navigation, and care coordination.
We are registered nurses who are passionate to see women receive the best care possible in some of life’s hardest seasons. We combine our professional experience and knowledge with personal, lived experience to make a difference.
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We bridge the gap in our medical system whereby some women are not afforded the time and compassionate care they need in complex medical moments.
There are too many stories of women who have experienced a miscarriage, pregnancy after loss, or birth trauma, and have been left to figure things out alone. Baby Bean is the much-needed advocate for our clients, helping coordinate their health services after a loss, and making sure they feel empowered and informed to receive the best possible care.
The reality is that 1 in 4 pregnancies end in a miscarriage, complicated pregnancies happen, and birth trauma is not uncommon.
Baby Bean was founded to be the support that simply did not previously exist (see below!).
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I recall my husband telling me that throughout our journey and losses, he watched me fight so hard for the care that I needed. But even with my background of being an RN and knowing our healthcare system intimately, I barely had the energy or mental capacity to figure it all out while in my grief.
It wasn’t until much later, after I had helped several of my girlfriends through similar unfortunate seasons, that I was inspired to be the change. You should not need a medical background or have previous lived experience to receive the care you deserve. This idea played a huge role in inspiring me to launch Baby Bean Consulting.
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Pregnancy loss is a form of invisible loss, and we need to bring more awareness to it! Too often, people would look at my current family (of me and my husband, and our two little kids) and comment “how sweet” or “What a perfect little family!”. What they can’t see is the years of heartache, blood, tears, and agonizing pain as we lost baby after baby while trying to grow our family. This experience is not unique to just me and my husband; so many families have had to endure this invisible loss…and we need to be okay talking about it!
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Together, we are stronger. And to come together, we need to start by bringing awareness to the invisible condition / invisible loss – share your stories! Then we can start forging community connections and build on the advocacy piece, to push everything forward.
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Living by example and allowing others into our experience of living with an invisible condition/loss can be powerful.
My daughter, while only five, has witnessed our losses and our healing and our whole journey. And as parents, we have been intentional to include her in that story. It was her siblings. It is her story too. For her to comprehend what a miscarriage is, and to have tangible ways of showing up and showing compassion and loving on our friend who's gone through a pregnancy loss because she's seen us go through it – that is something that is breaking the stigma for her generation.
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Peak Performers is a nationwide nonprofit staffing and recruiting agency that believes in people's abilities. We were founded with the mission of “setting a higher employment standard for people with disabilities.”
We are a revenue-funded nonprofit staffing agency that seeks qualified talent with disabilities and matches it with disability-inclusive employers. We provide temporary staffing and direct hire recruitment services.
Our typical roles include administrative assistants, accountants, auditors, contract specialists, project managers, attorneys, customer service representatives, and various specialized IT roles. Job seekers and employers can learn more by visiting peakperformers.org.
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People with disabilities experience an unemployment rate that is double the national average. Furthermore, many people are afraid to self-advocate or request accommodations. Peak Performers is seeking to level the employment playing field by helping clients find great talent while simultaneously helping job seekers with disabilities find professional roles. In doing so, we’re normalizing what it means to live and work with a disability.
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As a person with a disability, my journey is very similar to others: I tried to cover it up and was afraid to even consider myself as a “person with a disability.” The first time I turned on subtitles in college it blew my mind how much I was missing! Like many, I felt shame and fear and wanted, more than anything else, to just be “normal.”
Over time, I’ve grown to appreciate my disability. Through adapting to a world not made for me, I’ve developed a unique set of skills and lived experiences as a result of it.
I’ve been with Peak for almost 7 years and started as a recruiter. Over time, I’ve come to champion the mission. Along with my partner, Erich Butler, we lead much of the thought leadership, marketing, and external communications. We look at our roles as changing the world one job at a time.
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Tim’s podcast is a fantastic representation of the disabilities we don’t see. Here at Peak Performers, we find that 90% of all disabilities are invisible and many of those who live with them go without their voices being heard. Tim amplifies the voice of those who have been quiet too long and advocates in a professional, positive manner.
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Disability inclusion and advocacy is not someone else’s problem: it starts with you. You don’t need a huge following, a spot on the top of the org chart, or a big paycheck to advocate for people with disabilities. It all starts with talking about and normalizing disability at work and at home.
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By talking about disability, we remove the fear that’s associated with it and collaborate to make us all more effective in our jobs and empathetic towards others.
Accommodations aren’t scary and accessibility just makes business sense! Furthermore, people with disabilities are people first and people with tremendous abilities!
When we normalize talking about invisible disabilities–and disabilities on the whole–we allow all of us to bring our whole selves to work and ask for what we need to be successful.
Dr. Briar
“You guys are both amazing. I read the IG story and Tania’s as well. You are both so positive and kind and wonderful. Sharing your stories will provide comfort to many. Tania, I am going to keep yours on hand for my mom’s that struggle.”
BoyMama9, Apple Podcasts
Really important subject!
We all need to learn more from Tim, love this podcast, his passion for the subject shines through. All HR professionals and management should listen to it.
Dr. Natasha
“I just spoke with someone based in New York who heard me speak on your podcast and she said that there was just something that she resonated with and was in tears within the first few minutes of listening.
Thank you for the work that you do. You are making a difference in people’s lives. ”
AnonymousAndrewPodcast, Apple Podcasts
Phenomenal podcast!
“I have an invisible condition. While it may be considered not a physical illness it is a disease, nevertheless, and it’s called alcoholism. A very good friend of mine has an undiagnosed illness that she has been battling for more than 5 to 7 years. she has been to more doctors in the past five years then I probably have my entire life and I am 60. The point being is finally someone has stepped up to talk about this silent enemy that so many people have of which some have stigma attached to them or shame or they just suffer silently. I want to thank Tim for coming forward and sharing his story. I think this podcast is way overdue. I would give this show 10 stars if I could.”