Hidden handicaps (MS, fibro, anxiety, agoraphobia, etc) can be frustrating. Why are people so mean at times?
Thursday, March 11th, 2010 at
1:14 am
I have fibro, clustrophia and lower back issues that are awaiting surgery. I used a handicap stall in a restroom for the room & the bars to help me up & was verbally abused by a woman in a wheel chair. It was humiliating and degrading & I need the bars just as much as she does.
Tagged with: amp • awaiting surgery • back issues • google • handicap • restroom • script type • text javascript • wheel • wheel chair
Filed under: Old World Bar Stools
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That has happened to me before too (and not just from other handicapped people) just tell her what you just told us (even though she doesn’t deserve your time) people are always going to be rude and stupid, you just have to go through the problems more than non-disabled people do. learn how to make them look like that bad person by telling them off and it gets better knowing you walked away as the better person.
I hope you told her and did not stand there taking her abuse. You can educate people that you care to educate, and ignore the rest.
Her behavior was insensitive, but she probably did not realize you’re handicaps. Sometimes people who park in handicap spots at grocery stores and such, have no apparent handicaps, when in fact they may have breathing, knee, or other problems that are not so apparent.
Then there are the ones that have no handicap, and just park wherever they want.
I would have told her that some handicaps are visible, but a great many aren’t. And that you need the bars as much as she does.
Fibromyalgia is nonsense.
She was just ignorant. Should this happen again, and you’re feeling particularly spunky, you can remind such idiots that the stalls are not for the exclusive use of the disabled. In fact, she would have to wait in line for it just like everyone else. The only requirement is that there be one capable of accommodating disabilities, but they are open to everyone. You don’t have to suffer from anything except a full bladder to use them
FYI, only parking spaces are for exclusive use, and special seating areas on buses or at theatres and the like must be relinquished to those who need them, but anyone can sit there is no such patrons arrive.
I suffer from fibromyalgia & anxiety and a few other also and I know what you mean. Some people can not see beyond themselves to realize that others are in pain . Because their handicap is visible ,some believe they should be catered to more than others. Those who feel that way are usually handicapped in their compassion too.