The Cary Visibility Project, founded by Arush Mandhare , a junior at Cary Academy (Class of 2027) , was created from a deeply personal place. Arush himself has ADHD, a hidden disability that often made others misunderstand him when he needed extra time to process information or when he didn’t grasp something right away. On top of that, he has a close family member with a rare chronic condition that causes severe fatigue, difficulty swallowing, and unpredictable energy levels. Due to these daily challenges, people often judged him without realizing the true reason behind his struggles.

Witnessing this misunderstanding and lack of awareness inspired Arush to take action. Wanting to support his family member and others facing invisible challenges, he connected with the Sunshine Visibility Project and decided to expand its mission in North Carolina. Through the Cary Visibility Project, Arush aims to shed light on hidden disabilities, break down stigma, and build a more understanding and supportive community where everyone feels seen.