Last post Sun, Aug 31 2008 11:26 PM by DSB. 40 replies.
A quick update about my arthritis treatments. I have found really useful info about natural & safe far infrared therapy clothes. I am going on a walk-a-thon next week to raise money for our local hospital so I'm feeling good about my progress. You can find health care tips about far infrared medical treatments at the Far Infrared Medical Organization.
I hate to say this, but some of the worst discrimination I have seen toward people with invisible disabilities is from members of this forum who have visible disabilities
Check out some of the comments to me on this thread
http://www.disaboom.com/forums/t/17010.aspx
There definitely seems to be a bias between the two. "Wheelies" often think those of us who can still walk aren't disabled enough, while "walkies" often think that living in severe, constant pain is worse than being in a chair. It's unfortunate. Thanks for linking the thread; I hadn't read it since I am kind of (ok, a lot) biased against Nascar. I'm working on it!
"I believe everything out of the common. The only thing to distrust is the normal."John Buchan
I suppose I am in somewhat of an unusual situation in that I have and have had both visible and invisible disabilites and conditions. So I've seen a good deal of both sides.
I have mild cerebral palsy. I used to walk unassisted and with a pretty much normal-appearing gait. Now I limp and use a cane. So I went visible. Ironically, I walk much better now with the cane than without it. I don't qualify for accessible parking. I can keep up walking so long as stairs and hills are not involved. So while my disability is visible, I am much less disabled than I was in those months after I developed chronic pain and a gait impairment but before I started using a cane. If I looked less disabled, I would have much more difficulty keeping up.
Even more ironically, cane or no cane, my major disability is actually my hands, not my legs. I have weakness and difficulty writing. Yet they look fine most of the time. Even with a cane as a visible marker of disability, I am still having to convince people, over and over, that I need to type instead of write, that I don't have the manuel strength or endurance to do this or that.
And then there's my Type 1 diabetes. It's invisible except that I wear an insulin pump on my waistband and really make no effort to hide it whatsoever.
I hate playing "who has it worse" games but I will say that, without a doubt, my invisible issues have given me more trouble throughout the years than my visible ones. Yes there is discrimination against those who look disabled. Yes I have gotten stupid comments and attitudes about my mobility. But having to first convince people, over and over and over, that I actually do have a disability that can't be seen - that has been a much larger hurdle.
There are days I wish I could wear a hat or tee-shirt saying "Yes I have an invisible disability" or "ask me about my disability" or even a list of diagnoses and operating instructions ("asthma - do not expose to smoke. CP - needs to use computer CP - needs to take elevator Type 1 diabetes - do not offer candy") Then I could just get ALL THAT out of the way at the outset and move on to more interesting or productive topics.
But alas I cannot. And so we all must explain over and over and over again, until we are able to convince society to take us at face value. And really it's society against which we are fighting. I would hope we would have enough solidarity to not have to fight similarly amongst ourselves.
Nightengale: I would hope we would have enough solidarity to not have to fight similarly amongst ourselves.
I would hope we would have enough solidarity to not have to fight similarly amongst ourselves.
You and me, both.
Hi,
I am a 4 yr. survivor of a brain aneurysm. I look normal, talk normal, sound normal, dress normal. It's the memory thats the biggest problem or i should say lack there of. I also have trouble sleeping at night, I have panic attacks in certain situations. hearing & balance are off too.
It is an invisible disability. I am learning to live with.Gaurented no one wants to walk in my shoes it is painfull at times. I also suffer from Fybromaliga. Oh and had a stroke during the brain surgery.
I am as I am and work at it every day.
Good health to all,
Bonnie
I know where your coming from yolopez and I agree that if the so called friends not only dont believe but cause you stress then move on they'er not friends. I have had the same sort of thing happen and said good bye to a lot of them they where stuned but it was the best thing I could have done, Better to have only one or two that support you then bunch that disbelieve and have an attitued toward you.
I must admit they where a bit shocked when I moved on but it was the best thing I could have done. I should have done it before but I gues you got to go through it to really know that its the right thing to do.
Its great to be here, knowin that other people have gone though this sort of thing make me feel im not so alone.
Mike
My illness is FMS and RA simptoms, I generaly have pain in one joint or another around the house I dont use a stick unless I'm in real trouble, or if I am only going a short distance. But If I am out for longer periods then I take it as the pain just gets worce. Because of this some people get puzzeled, oh your feeling better cos you dont have your stick, NO it just that I am only going a short distance and then back to my car. Or We missed you last week where were you, I was laid up in the house because I was in such pain, and that where they think ye right. I keep away rom these people as they only get me down and with FMS I have enough of that.
People dont see the times when I crawel up the stairs or shuffle down because my hips or knees or feet are inflames and pain. Or when I cant eat a meal because my jaw is inflamed and I strugle to even drink. Thats just the way life is I didn't ask for it but I have it.
I know other disabled people that are in a bad way worce then me and they have suffered for longer, there family have been a strength to them as mine have to me and at the end of the day thats what counts.
So from me a big thank you to all the carers and families who give of them selves to help there loved ones in there hour of need.
As for those with the negative waves I say Bye bye..it was nice knowing you.
I too have had both invisible (most of the time except when I was tired and then my limp from mild cerebral palsy (CP) would show up). My disability is now very visible and I now have to use a cane daily and scooter I(at times).
I started using a cane at age 50 and have handicapped license plates and still get stares from time to time. Before I started using the cane, I was often accused of "faking" my limp to get attention. How sick is that-I could sure come up with a better way to get attention-couldn't you?
I finally had to go on social security disability much to my dismay, but my severe back pain and limited mobility gave me no choice. I have to use a back roll at all times for spinal support (another area affected by my limp.)
Sometimes I feel like the lone ranger in this area just as I did as a child in the small area where I grew up.
It is so nice to be able to blow off steam and not worry that no one will truly understand.
Gloria
hi i also have fms and i dont use a cane unless i really have too.
thier are many people that dont think im disabled.
i say o well to them.
i will tell people if thy ask about my disable but i dont offer it freely
anymore because people think its all in my head
o well wait ill thy get it 'thats my feeling my family and close friends no it real what i go through
thats all thats counts in my book and my doctors no what my condition can do to me.
love to all the ones that surport us as people
ChattanoogaRox ping me (send message here anytime) Spinal Stenosis is not fun 4 surgeries in 8 months some relief yes mobility issues again yes. But I understand that ability to not be much beyond bed bound I have been there done that 4 months out of the last 9 months just in this year. Yeak I hear you.
