Prejudice, abhorrence, guilt. Once stigma is felt, generalize expectancy to see everywhere. Has strong effect on access to mainstream culture. Varying levels of stigma for different disabilities. Secrets impair intimate relationships, open expression of self, performance.
People behave to avoid being discovered, rather than to grow.
Secrets possess individual and entire life centers around hiding disability. Often allows denial to continue because no feedback is given from others. Eventual crisis of self-worth. Kobasa, different people in same situation perceive it differently. One views as threat, other views as challenge.