Living and Leading with an Invisible Disability
“When I tell people I have chronic migraine syndrome, they’re often surprised,” says Kat Bechdol, Senior Manager of Area Clinical Support at Sodexo. “It’s invisible, but it impacts every part of my life, including work.”
Since joining Sodexo in January 2022, Kat has built a reputation for leadership, empathy, and excellence. Based remotely, she supports clinical dietitians across senior living communities in the southeast, hiring, training, and mentoring professionals who provide essential care to residents.
What many people don’t see behind her professionalism is a personal health journey. For the past 15 years, Kat has lived with chronic migraine syndrome, a condition that can cause debilitating symptoms. Managing her health means navigating daily medication, routine Botox treatments, and frequent flare-ups that disrupt her schedule and energy.
But at Sodexo, Kat has found something she hasn’t always had in the workplace: understanding.
“There’s a mental side to managing a disability that people don’t always see,” she says. “What makes the biggest difference is working for a company where I can be open about what I’m going through, and know I’ll be supported.”
Living and Working with Chronic Migraine Syndrome
Kat was 24 when her migraines first started. Now 39, she’s learned how to manage the condition, but it’s far from easy. She still experiences two to three migraines each week, intense episodes that can cause pain, sensitivity to light, and temporary blindness.
Living with an invisible illness means constantly weighing how much to share, especially in professional settings. Earlier in her career, Kat didn’t feel comfortable being open about her condition, but that changed when she joined Sodexo.
“Every decision I make, from choosing a job to accepting a new responsibility, I have to think about how it will impact my health,” she says. “Good insurance, supportive leadership, and flexibility aren’t perks for me. They’re non-negotiables.”
When she joined Sodexo, she quickly noticed a difference in how her disability was received. From day one, she felt comfortable being upfront with her managers about her condition, and in return, she received not just understanding but real accommodations that made her work life easier. She also values Sodexo’s comprehensive benefits, such as medical coverage for treatments and access to wellness resources, as essential to managing her health.
In one case, Kat recalls needing an adjustment to a shared office space due to the lighting, a common trigger for her migraines. Her leader didn’t hesitate. They went directly to the community and had a light switch installed so she could control her environment.
“It might seem like a small thing,” she says, “but it meant everything to me. It told me I mattered and that they were willing to act on what I needed. This support makes me never feel pressured to hide what I am going through.”
Leading by Example: Building Community Through SOAR
In addition to her day-to-day role, Kat serves as the Programming Chair for SOAR, our employee business resource group (EBRG) for individuals with disabilities and allies. Through SOAR, she helps create programming that raises awareness, builds community, and opens up space for honest conversations around disability, accessibility, and mental health.
“SOAR gave me a space where I didn’t have to explain myself,” she says. “Everyone just gets it. There’s power in that kind of connection.”
As Programming Chair, she curates webinars, shares valuable resources, and helps shape new initiatives, including SOAR’s Safe Space series, a platform where employees can speak openly and be supported without judgment. This work closely reflects her personal mission of creating spaces where everyone feels safe to show up as they are.
“Whether your disability is visible or not, you deserve to feel seen and supported. That’s what I try to help build through SOAR and my own team.”
Creating Space to Be Seen
Sodexo offers a range of support for employees navigating disability or mental health challenges, from flexible benefits for therapy and wellness to peer connection through EBRGs like SOAR. Tools like LifeWorks offer 24/7 assistance for employees managing chronic, acute, or emotional challenges, ensuring support is available when it’s needed most.
Even though she lives with a chronic condition, Kat is quick to note that it doesn’t define her entirely. It’s just one part of who she is, and at Sodexo, she’s found the freedom to lead as her full self.
“I’m defined and not defined by this disease,” she says. “I can be real about what I’m dealing with and still be respected as a manager, a leader, and a teammate. I feel free to be myself here. That’s what belonging feels like.”
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