Struggling with having an 'invisible disability'

In 1987, when Annette Funicello staggered slightly and slurred her words after being introduced by Frankie Avalon, some in the audience were shocked. They assumed she was drunk. An alcoholic.

Ms. Funicello was trying to hide her disease, but when the rumors became worse than the truth, she was forced to go public with her illness.

Michael J. Fox worked hard to conceal the symptoms of his gradually worsening Parkinson's Disease as well. If he had a spasm as his limousine was pulling up to a red-carpet event, he'd...