I have a friend who needs a wheelchair because walking puts too much pressure on his kidneys and that can lead to serious complications. One time, he parked in the handicap spot at the supermarket and walked out of the car to take his wheelchair out of the trunk. The looks he got were just mindblowing. One woman even said "You should be ashamed". Just because someone is in a wheelchair, it doesn't mean they can't walk! That's a really narrow minded assumption.
Yes!! I’ve been in a wheelchair for around a year but in the last 2 months or so I have been able to walk. People (at school especially) freak out and gossip about me saying that I’m fake. It disgusts me cause I’ve been in so much pain for so long and people still say such awful things. It really hurts. 💔
@@phia9443 "Stay sick, and you're not trying hard enough. Make improvement, and you were faking all along. Share your reality, and you're seeking attention. Keep the struggle to yourself, and you aren't really sick." -@SponfulsOfKindness (you're not alone)
Yeah, a lot of people I’ve seen/met that have wheelchairs can actually walk if needed, it’s just hard and painful. I was in a wheelchair for a little bit because of an ankle injury and I was on a trip out of the country so I requested a wheelchair when we were in malls or museums.
Yeah, I’ve gotten that. Or dirty or astounded looks at the grocery store when I stand up to reach something, or walk partway down the aisle to get something else, once I’m already up. I either ignore them or politely point out that a good 65% of wheelies can walk. Educating people foes a long way.
I clicked on this bc I thought, "WHAT? You can't tell!" & then I was relieved. As someone with an invisible disability it's basically my #1 fear to be called 'fake' :(
Ruby 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭 Sadly this kind of stuff happens to us all the time. Like maybe someone with Cerebral Palsy may need a Walker one day and everyone can see it, then 6 days later they do not need it anymore. 🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄 I am just rolling my eyes because of all the people that would stare. 🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄 Right now I am just thinking do these people know the meaning of invisible disability???
As a 19 year old with fibromyalgia who has trouble walking, trust me when I say when you try to weed out people who are "not really disabled", more often than not you are just hurting...really disabled people.
Omg i am 16 with fibromyalgia and people always try and say that there is nothing wrong with me but I am in so much pain that I want to cry it is really hard to be a disabled
A friend of mine had a a double heart and lung transplant and uses handicapped spaces when going out. She's very pretty and doesn't "look disabled" (whatever that means) and has been verbally harassed stepping out of her car. At one point she became so fed up she lifted her shirt to show the large scar running down her sternum to a very angry middle-age woman, who was quite contrite afterward.
It's also quite possible they're actually aiding someone with a disability - When I pick up my disabled friend, I park in the disability spot, so she can reach the car. When I get out of the car, sure, it doesn't look like I need it - *I* don't. *She* needs it, when she comes *to* the car, which I drove to go get her!
Pretty Bad At Everything Because they are simply not aware of anything to do with disability, nor do they fully understand the legitimate uses of a parking placard.
I got some utterly "classic" looks one day when I rolled up in my car, parked in the disability spot (with a card in the window, I might add) then got out of the car and *walked* around to the other side. The looks turned to embarrassment when I opened the passenger door and assisted my cousin, who has Cerebral Palsy, out of the car and got her walking frame for her.
I cannot thank you enough for posting this. I have Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome and cannot tell you how many times I've heard people say I am "faking" or "not really disabled". THANK YOU.
+24 Limitless I know right! I was diagnosed with MCTD when I was 10 and I'm now 16. The main symptom for me is arthritis and people are like "you can't have that as only old people get it" or assume it can't be bad/I'm faking and I'm like if you don't understand what my illness is, POLITELY ask me about it or just please don't give your opinion on it. I mean generally I'm all for free opinion, but illnesses aren't opinions, they're realities!! :)
Jess Clarke hey, I'm so sorry you have a disability to, I really wish I could tell you it gets easier or better. but I cant lie to you it gets worse, I am not talking about your illness as I don't know about that I never heard of it before actually, anyways I am meaning as in how strangers act and treat you, when you have a bad day and you end up using your wheelchair then the next day your having a great day and so your outside throwing some ball with your buddy or brother, And then comes ALL the harassment. never let people stop you from doing what you want to do, And hey if you are having a great day then you get out of that wheelchair or whatever device you use when you have a bad day, and go have some fun. And on your bad days use your wheelchair or whatever or simply lay in your bed and chill online, That's what I do, I have terminal cancer so I relate to lot of these things, although I have a disability besides the cancer I also have gastroparsis that's where my stomach is paralyzed it don't move my food to my intestines anymore and it don't disgest right and so I have a feeding tube, So that's my food now. Its all ok though. My illnesses will be gone in 6 months to 2 yrs. That's what they say I have left, So we shall see. God Bless I will be praying for you
@@cindyshaw5867 Hey Cindy, i just want to say: enjoy each minute of what it is left! 💕 Much love! *I took care of granny with terminal skin cancer. I appreciated every single day and laugh i had with her! 100% soul's food and worth it 💞💞💞
Scuffed That’s a perfectly legitimate, understandable, and common attitude, I would suggest that you consider which is more important - being able to do whatever you want and need to do without knocking yourself out, or how you get around to do it. That’s what tipped the scales for me. I wanted my life back, and how I got around while doing the things I wanted to do became a moot point. After experiencing the freedom my wheelchair gives me, I only wish I’d gotten it a *lot* sooner than I did. Once I realized it wasn’t some kind of giving up or giving in, but a huge benefit, I haven’t looked back. Ditto with the handicapped placard. Just because you have one doesn’t mean you always have to use it. It does give you options, though, for those bad days ;-)
Crying because I've never heard any one else talk about invisible disability before, and mine is so well hidden. I thought I was alone but you just said everything people roll there eyes at me for. I felt so invalidated.
In the UK it's perpetuated by the tabloids & TV shows about catching benefit (welfare) abusers, even the government buys into it with changing the disability benefits to "reduce fraud" despite experts repeatedly saying that fraud makes up less than about 0.5% of all claimants, but then on top of that we're then told figures about millions of pounds in unclaimed benefits that people are entitled to (usually because people either don't think they qualify or don't want to subject themselves to the humiliation). Ironically, those who are frauds are usually the ones who can beat the system & the genuinely in need are getting thrown off their much needed benefits (I'm talking people who have serious heart conditions who collapsed with a heart attack & rushed to hospital during their medical assessment who are then told they don't qualify for the benefit because they failed to complete the assessment - it's sickening). The government would rather pay a company like ATOS hundreds of millions of pounds a year to throw sick & disabled people off their benefits than pay the people the benefits they really need. :(
My opinion... because I paid attention growing up. Yes kids soak things up even if you don't think so. Not from one but many...I'd hear how older folks hated on people who were disabled. Really didn't and still doesn't matter why. It's backwoods mentality, something easy to pick at, hate on, have a beer to. People think you're getting a free, happy, carefree life. My question is why do we save people...so that they can be societies punching bag?
it's a default mindset the majority of people have in respect to marginalized and misunderstood groups. "if this person doesn't behave in the realm of my misconceptions, then they must be faking." it stems from a lack of compassion and willingness to understand people that deviate from the majority.
Well, people do actually cheat. Some states will give you both plates and a placard, and people use their relatives’ placards. Or when kids driving their parents or grandparents car with plates go ahead and park in the reserved space. But that’s a minority of people, and vigilante justice isn’t helpful.
Insurance companies started this on television in the 1960's and 70's, and it has infected the minds of Americans. The NFL even paid a neuroscientist to coin the diagnosis mTBI ("mild Traumatic Brain Injury) and to reduce brain injury evaluations to mere "concussions" in emergency rooms and primary care throighout the country. Auto insurance companies were elated and have lobbied state politicians to reduce allowable injury and medical coverage through bribes and lawmaking. MRI's are necessary to determine tge extent of brain injuries, so they paid lawmakers to restrict MRI's for TBI evaluations unless a doctor refers 5 medical imaging facilities within a 100 mile radius. I think my neck of the woods only has 3.
To avoid all the problems that come with being mistaken for a faker, I've just fashioned a few dozen relevant pages of my medical records into an outfit that I wear every time I go out, and I got the word "DISABLED" tattooed across my forehead. Isn't that what all disabled people do??
Shala Carter 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 You know that was really really funny, but not everyone wears a bracelet or a headband that says multiple disabilities on it. For example a mother may have a child who is nonverbal and might have Autism, not every child has the word autistic written across their forehead. 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
I was using my disability placard . I went back to my car and took it down to place it in my glove compartment then left the parking space. A cop started following me out of the parking lot and around the corner. He puts his lights and siren on. He comes over to my window asks me for my license and registration, I ask him why? Then he gets nasty and repeats himself. I open up my glove compartment and he notices my blue handicap decal that hangs from my mirror. He says oh, you are handicap then proceeds to tell me it wasn't hanging in my mirror. I tell him yes it was but once I turned on my car I put it away because according to the DMV I'm not allowed to drive with it hanging. He takes my decal and starts rubbing it. Not only can people be jerks but so can cops. I. Took out my registration for my decal and he says he believes me, why was he rubbing it! He could have stopped me in the parking lot but decided to wait till I was on a busy street so he could humiliate me. He was wrong. Someone told me it probably was because I look healthy and am pretty...what the hell does this have to do with being disabled. People are so friggin ignorant! And some cops are on power trips. He is a young cop and God willing he will never have to know what being handicap is all about. ❤️
Thank you for making this awareness video. The general public need to be more aware that this kind of abuse/bullying exists all the time and that it has huge consequences for the victim. We're extremely busy trying just to cope with our daily struggles and this is the last thing we need.
The worse ones are those who judge you by the car you're driving. As if being disabled means you can't work at all and you're on a fix income like SSDI. While some of us who are disabled can't work there are some who can. I lost my lower left leg in an car accident years ago and now use a prosthetic. Even though I have a disabled plate I don't always need to use it now to park in a handicap spot even though I'm entitled to because I know how it feels when there are no spaces left and you're really having a bad day and need to park closer. I only use it on my bad days when I experience ghost pains or pain in the area of the amputation and have trouble walking or standing a long time. But when you see me, unless I'm wearing shorts or a dress, you can't tell I have a prosthetic leg. On bad days the only telltale sign is a little limp but the pain is there. However on one bad day that I needed to use a handicap spot a woman confronted me in the parking lot and accused me of not being handicap, that I didn't deserve to park in that spot and that I should be ashamed because I was abusing the system and taxpayers money and that I was just being lazy. She even threaten to call the police and even said someone on disability couldn't even afford the car I had so I must be faking it (newsflash just because someone is disabled doesn't automatically mean they're on disability and can't work). By now people were watching her ranting and actually agreeing with her. And even though I didn't have to prove anything I raised my pants leg to show the prosthetic. I never seen a group of idiots shut up so fast. The woman who started it all walked quickly back to her car and drove off without even apologising for yelling at me. Most of the small crowd of people who were agreeing with her walked away too without saying a word, others just laughed it off like it was a joke. Ya let's go humiliate someone we know nothing about ha ha. Btw there were several empty handicap spots.
Lady Deadpool 💋 I agree - I was forced to move by a supermarket security guard. Even though I had my badge, his comment was that no-one disabled would be able to own ‘that car’ so stop faking it. Ironically he was an employee of the Council I was consulting to at the time about change and transformation. I went to their offices the next day for a scheduled meeting with a group of directors and told them what had happened. They were totally horrified, but I educated them to the fact this sort of bias and bullying happens a lot to people with hidden disabilities.
Lady Deadpool 💋 it's amazing that those people that Circle do their intentions as they would have everyone believe we're good because they thought you were taking advantage. So I guess those people want to pump up their chest as if they're just so wonderful good good wonderful caring people. I can't believe such good wonderful people were such a swipes they couldn't even apologize so let's face it there are people out there like them that want to walk around with their superhero capes on but are unable to admit they're wrong. What a fantastic example to their children and families those people must be.
rita pita I would have followed one or two of them and demanded an apology and publicly shame them for something that they actually are guilty of.. Discrimination.
Lady Deadpool...you're absolutely correct. There's a lot of times that due to my medical issues that I need a handicapped space at the store, however, most of the time I don't park in Handicapped spaces, and when I do, people act like they "OWN" and have paid for the space (handicapped). Most people have got it into their stupid head that ALL people who have a Handicapped Placard, or a Handicapped License Plate on their car...are supposed to be PARALYZED....and that's not true... I have been verbally attacked when going into a store and using a motorized wheel-chair...and yes, I have been asked point blank if I REALLY TRULY am disabled. Its so sad. PLZ.....just let it alone. IF people are using wheelchairs in stores, they obviously need it, YES, EVEN those who are MORBIDLY OBESE need the motorized wheelchairs, DESPITE what you actually think. Another thing I have noticed when using a wheelchair in a store is people look and act like you're mentally deficient....and often smile at you as if you can't carry on an intelligent conversation!! LOL The nerve of some people!
I have extensive nerve damage throughout my body (especially in my legs). This disability is invisible and changes in intensity throughout the day. Sometimes I have 'good days', and sometimes I have 'bad days'. But most of the time, even when I am having a 'good day', and can SEEMINGLY be walking just like a 'regular' (non-disabled) person, after walking for a while (at the store or such), my legs start to go numb and give out on me. So, even if I look OK when walking TO the store from the handicapped parking space, I may be barely able to return to the parking lot and my car after I am done shopping, due to my nerve damage flaring up. I usually lean on a cart for support. Parking up closer means that I have a chance to get my chores done independently, and get back home safely. Some days my legs give me trouble quickly, while other days it is a longer process . But the outcome is the same - I get less able to function as the day goes on. And if saving a few steps in a parking lot means that I can have a 'better day' without as much pain, then Good For Me! I like to think of it as a frayed electric cord on a lamp. Sometimes the lamp lights up just fine. Sometimes the light flashes on and off (like a short in the wiring), And sometimes the lamp won't light at all.
Thank you! Like, hey, I took a wheelchair here so I could use up my whole 15 minutes of standing inside the store instead of giving up after the trek to the front door.
Same here! I walk okay (to the casual observer) for a little bit, but after a while it starts to hurt a LOT and some muscles stop functioning properly. I can still make it look okay, but I have to walk VERY carefully.
I don't know why people have it in their heads that they have the right to judge strangers, whom they know nothing about, and call their disability fake or not. hell, I'm not disabled, but I do have an old injury that has left me with nerve damage in my leg. So sometimes I don't immediately get up and give my seat to somebody older than me, which in the south is considered extraordinary rude, because I can't stand at the moment. And people treat me like a leper. I can't imagine how terrible it is for people who legitimately have disabilities who have to go through this every single day. you produce some really great content, and I love the way you presented this video. You are very articulate and thoughtful.
Omg. The title of this video gave me legit anxiety because I thought you were actually going to tell people how to spot it. I’m SO glad you didn’t. Thank you for this video. I’m legally blind. My vision is very poor due to a genetic condition and cannot be corrected with glasses, contacts, or surgery. I use a white cane and I’m recognized as being blind by the law, but I can still see. I’m often accused of faking blindness when I’m using my cane and someone sees me look at something. I feel like this is very similar to a wheelchair user walking. You’re an incredible TH-camr. Keep it up!
I’d also like to add that I mainly use my cane outdoors (for steps, traffic, severe sun sensitivity, etc.) and I often fold up my cane when Im indoors. Folding up my cane gives me severe anxiety and makes people question me.
Anyone else recognize the role the media plays in this? The media shows us stories of parking placard abuse, tragic stories of car accidents leading to paraplegia, and images of the elderly using mobility devices. No wonder the public believes that all individuals who are not paralyzed or elderly must be stopped because they are faking. Sure, individuals have the responsibility to educate themselves. But until our society as a whole can spread a more diverse image of disability, those of us who seem "atypical" will continue to be judged and harassed. Thanks, Annie, for spreading awareness 😊
Yes! That's what I was going to say to. Almost every news story about service dogs is about "the fake sd epidemic" and how to spot them (always with false and extremely misleading tips) it's so bad that every handler I know gets accused of being fake, and often even harrased for it.
People have said to me I should give my parking spot to someone more handicapped than me. So I suppose I'm supposed to stand or sit in my car for whatever because now I have a job I have to find somebody more handicapped than me that is worthy to take this handicap space. It's amazing how many idiots there are out there.
I have this problem all the time. I have autism and am not physically disabled. People have no way of knowing that when I'm being socially awkward or they think I'm being rude or standoffish that I have a disability, so they just assume I'm an unpleasant person.
Same here. I'm autistic myself, and I also have ADHD and major anxiety issues, particularly social anxiety. I sometimes go nonverbal when the anxiety gets really bad, and when I do, I've often been called rude, and in a couple of cases, I lost friends. And I often get treated like I'm a weirdo or a creep when the anxiety gets bad too, because my sensory issues flare up and I become far less comfortable being around people. The last thing I need in that situation from other people is a negative attitude, yet that's the first thing people give me when I can't handle things. And yes, I've had my fair share of social issues and I've had my fair of problems from other people because of it.
I’m an Aspie with ADHD, major depression, hypothyroidism, and possibly BPD. It’s so frustrating when so many are ignorant about disabilities, especially when they have authority.
Me too. Even, i can't Cross the street. I don't park there But i park near exits... Else i would be ran over. And ... TW: Suicide Attempt Mention because of this harassment, sometimes i have to find a way to get me out of the idea of WILLINGLY getting ran over
I'm sorry. I know this comments 4 years old but I still wanted to say I get you. I use a cane sometimes to walk and I get this all the time. Even in places that I know who I am and know my reasoning for using one. Also I love your username
I'm deaf in one ear and hard of hearing in the other ear. Even my close friends often say I'm faking it (because I play/listen to music and can talk) guess what! Not all people with hearing problems can hear nothing! I clicked on this video ready to be pissed off, but was nicely surprised.
I'm deaf in one ear but hear about normal in the other, so people tend to get quite surprised when I have to tell them, "please stand on my right or bloody-well speak up." Even friends and family forget - so used to me hearing normal conversations - and try to whisper in my left ear or stand on my left side and speak softly/indistinctly or they get pissed off when I ask them for the third or fourth time to repeat themselves when they're on my left side and not speaking loudly enough for me to hear (here in New Zealand, we drive on the left side of the road so the driver's seat is on the right side of the car - this puts the passenger to my left and a *world* of wind noise and passing vehicles on my right - and they *still* expect me to hear them with no problems!)
Ugh, yes. Just yesterday, I was going out to lunch with my siblings and my grandmother, who is in a wheelchair. As we were pulling up to the restaurant, a truck pulled into a handicapped space, and three men got out, all without the use of any mobility aids. Now, I shall emphasize, there was still a readily-accessible handicapped space that we then proceeded to park in, but nonetheless, BOTH of my siblings immediately started criticizing the men in the truck, saying, "Hmm, you look real disabled, there" and things like that. And I'm just sitting there with my cane by my side, having not even a year ago been a Person Who Can Walk in possession of a handicapped placard, going, "Seriously, you guys?" I called them out on it, but I don't think the message got across.
I have a Service Dog(in training that already is doing work). People come up to me and say that I'm doing a great job training her and that I'll have a hard time giving her away to someone that really needs her. When they hear that she's for me I get such surprised and hard stares, making me uncomfortable so I just usually say a quiet 'thanks' and leave. Just because I am young and look 'normal' doesn't mean I do not suffer from a disability/ies. Thanks
I get the "you're too young to need a cane" phrase all the time. It gets really old. Or the blunt question "Why do you have a cane? Did you hurt your knee?". I don't have time to go into an explanation of my illness while standing in front of the grocery store so I often say (with a straight face) "I just use it for attention". I said that to a friend once and two elderly men sitting nearby started glaring at me. They obviously didn't get my kind of humour.
Zoe Steiner it's crazy how many people ask such personal questions and it doesn't occur to them that that's just personal. And then of course you got those that ask them because they just are jerks and they want to act as if they are out there fighting the good fight for other disabled people that are truly deserving of perhaps a parking space. It's a shame that I think the majority of these people that confront others like this saying one doesn't need a parking place, these people are perhaps more arrogant and they are trying to make themselves look better like a sociopath rather than truly fighting for a handicapped person.
Amy Slager yesterday as I was getting out of my car I made eye contact with a fellow driver had a considerable limp going on yesterday and again today anyway I did all my shopping and at the checkout line the lady I made eye contact with said to me " I watched you do all your shopping and you were limping and still are so I'm sure you're not faking it for a handicap spot. Didn't quite know what to say to that. My daughter said I should have said thank you and perhaps the woman would note the sarcasm in my thank-you LOL
I have a fantasy of replying to such asks of personal medical questions as such: Do you have a yeast / fungal infection / alzheimers / a mental illness / cancer / diabetes / asthma / a skin condition / have you ever had a bad rash? When they have a bad reaction you say, "What? I thought from your question we were playing the "ask a stranger personal medical questions out of nowhere" game?? You don't want to play anymore? Cool, me neither.
Like others in the comments, I clicked thinking, "How dare she!" and then was SOOO relieved to hear your message! I suffer from Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome and POTS and am just now coming to terms with having to start using mobility aids and I am terrified! I just don't know how I'll handle the rudeness and meanness of ignorant people. Thank you for motivating me to keep going! I can't stay house-bound forever. My kids deserve a mom who can do more, go more, be more.
Im a young guy with a blue badge... I get this all the time when I park in a disabled bay, untill I get out the car and pull my crutches out I have people asking me " are you actually disabled tho" great vid! looking forward to more
Olivers Adaptive I'd have responded to that person with.. "Are you a judgmental person?" Or if they were wearing glasses I'd say back "are u really that short sighted?" Lol.
Yes! This is so important. You have no idea what someone's disability could be. Just because someone doesn't use a mobility device or is having a good day and isn't using it or can walk in certain situations for a few minutes or something doesn't mean they don't have a disability. As well, any age person can have disabilities.
Yes! I've had to use a wheelchair since I was eight, because of my Chronic Fatigue. I can walk, and do so around the house, or if we park near a small shop just to pop in, but I can't walk for too long without it. So, if it's a supermarket, a long shopping day, a zoo trip, or anything the requires more than 10 minutes of walking, I need the chair. It's amazing how many people throw judgmental looks your way when you go into a restaurant with the chair, but walk the 30 second walk to the bathroom, not understanding the difference between that and the 5 hour long shopping trip. I refuse to get out of the chair in supermarkets to get things of high shelves, because I'm scared of being harassed. Then, when you're not using the chair, the glares you get from sitting down on public transport because apparently being young automtically means you're fine and dandy health wise. This is getting long, and I should stop before I completely rant about the ignorance of some people, haha. Thank you for making this video! It's horrible to think other people are subjected to this feeling, but it's also nice to know we're not alone in our frustrations. Hopefully this might educate some people to think before they speak/leave a note/glare x
CFS/ME/SEID is one of the first things my mind goes to as a possible reason if a person seems to be able to walk "just fine" but is entitled to park in the "disability access" slots.
Yes! I use a powerscooter to get around in general since I can't drive. And I go to the store with it whenever I have a really bad day but still need to go get food since I have run out. I have had so many bad comments from "did you steal your grandparents scooter" to "you should only go out at x time since it's less busy then" to my favourite "you could stand up to get the 'insert product that is put totally out of reach' so you don't need to use that scooter inside the store". I have had people moving my cane out of reach to be "helpful" because it was "in the way". And when I dare say something about it I get laughed at. Since I'm still young I should still be able to go a few steps without it. News flash: most days I even use it inside my own home since the distance from the couch to the toilet can be to far without it.
Stromy Jess hey we seem to watch a lot of the same videos we have commented back and forth on other videos they were always nice comments chit chatty kinda.LOL anyways, I would totally use that scooter all the time. I think they are cool and helpful to but even if I were not disabled I would still buy one and use it. Because if you buy it it is yours and your not taking it from someone else who needs it. They make them all the time. So all in all I don't see what the deal is with if someone wants to spend their money on a scooter just to use that's like no problem at all. people love drama and that's why these people do this picking on us with disabilities most of us physically can NOT defend our selfs, So we should be considered a vulenable group and be protected by all law enforcements and if someone harasses or assults us in any way it should be a hate crime and should be the highest degree felony possible, We need to crack down on this issue. People are dying
I was born with Cerebral Palsy and had my hip fused, when I was a teenager.. and have faced, and still face, ableistic attitudes. When I was very young, I wore a brace on my right leg.. after a series of surgeries, as a teen, I needed crutches, then a cane to walk. I always walked with a noticeable limp and very use of my right hand, and was often teased, ignored and ostracized. I have, during my life, walked with no assistive devices; yet now, at 65, after a fall that broke my fused hip and after a full knee replacement, I use a walker to get around in close places and need my powered wheelchair to travel outside, and especially when having to go anywhere of considerable length and or distance. I also have chronic asthma, since twelve years of age. People with disabilities are different, like every human being is.. and the truth of the matter is, many of the "invisible" disabilities are often more life-threatening than the visible ones. For example, epilepsy, Lupus, diabetes, cancer, heart disease, respiratory conditions, and many others, often go unnoticed, and are not readily obvious to the untrained eye.. but, their impact on the one that has to live with these types of challenges are many times debilitating, and even fatal.
The amount of ignorance in this world is so disheartening. I have an invisible disability and people just don't want to do anything different to be kinder to disabled folks.
Thank you!!! I've been yelled at multiple times. Then they see my cane or I start to get my wheelchair out.... sigh. The very first time I used my tag, I had just had spinal surgery and didn't have a cane at that point. But an older man harassed me to the point that I had to yell at him and show him my still healing surgical wound.
you worded this so well, I'm 16 and struggling with my hyper mobility and as someone with hypermobility I obviously have to use devices to get around im at the walking tick stage and a few months ago i had to use it a lot to get around and people either stared or gave me filthy looks, I honestly left it in the car and went through the worst pain ever because I was scared of people saying something or bumping into someone i knew, i'm so self conscious with things like when i have to use a sling or a splint or a tubigrip because adults just stare at me like i dont need it or ask what ive done and if i say nothing i get either a cold reaction or a filthy look, people need to understand that not all disability are visible, my local supermarket has had to put signs up saying not all disabilities are visible and people should be respectful
I've done this, made myself sick or put myself in danger to avoid using my mobility aid. Just because of the attention, suspicion, and judgement. It sucks. Seriously why do people think anyone would deliberately fake to go through that. We only use our aids when the pain and danger of NOT using them is WORSE than the pain and danger of the ways society treats us
Susan Williams I had to use a walking stick when I was 11, just one day but it will stick in my mind because it wasn't the kids that treaded me awful but it was my teacher, I had to put it under the table when I was working and she kicked it then gave me a filthy look, she also gave me in trouble for using crutches and shoes that would give me support and shouted at me for not being able to do PE, it's made me so self conscious until this year when I've found other people with it
That is awful, but unsurprising. I have multiple illnesses/disabilities. When I was a child I only had mental illnesses/disabilities, and didn't have any kind of mobility issues (I use a white cane some days now), but I still had similar experiences. Most children, with the exception of a few bullies, were fine with my differences, and liked, or disliked, me based on my personality. Their parents however were not fine with it, I lost so many friends because their parents found out I was mentally ill, and the parents were afraid of me, mostly they were afraid that their children would 'catch' my behaviour, yep, they thought mental illness was contagious. I am 25 and I am super lucky that I have places where I feel safe now though, my university has really good inclusion policies, and I've found my own little group of friends who are also Disabled. It makes venturing out into the hostile world much more bearable. I am glad you have found the community, and sad it took so long. Abelism sucks
Thank you for speaking on this. In all honesty, I cried all through this video starting about thirty seconds in. Being someone with an invisible disability, harassment is something I fear when I go out and about. On a daily basis I prepare myself to be interrogated, screamed at, or glared at. It is so hard and so frustrating, and the thing is, there isn't much I can do. I obviously have dialogue with people, I explain to them my situation and how everyone is different, and just because you cant see their disability, doesn't mean it isn't there. However I constantly struggle with the idea that nothing I can say or do will change people from being cruel and abusive. I'm not too sure where I'm going with all of this but I imagine you can understand my perspective, and thank you again for making this video. It is a good feeling to know I am not alone in this battle.
As someone with a lot of disabilities and disorders I'm terrified to tell people about all of them (wich is practically necessary to explain to people why I struggle and that I'm not dumb or lazy) in fear of being harassed and called a faker
Yes, 100%! I do not own a wheelchair, but I have a cane, and I have used wheelchairs before in huge places where they provide wheelchairs for people to use, such as at the mall. Even when I use the scooter at the grocery store, and my cane is sitting there in the basket, I'll still get stares. And I'll have people see me on a "good" day (like when I don't have a limp and don't have to use my cane) and they think I'm suddenly cured, or that I was faking the whole time, and it's so frustrating! Thankfully I have friends and family who understand and don't hesitate to stick up for me, but I know that not everyone does.
I'm AFRAID to use my wheelchair when out of my home because I am capable of standing and walking very short distances. I have multiple medical problems and a small fall, simple trip (I have them all the time without my chair) could easily leave me permanently paralyzed, dont even get my started on how much it hurts when I walk. I end up just not going out. I'm getting counseling but let's face it. I'm a victim of bullies. Do they mean well? I'm sure some might. The few I know were jealous. It's laughable but they're angry I can park better and whatever advantage they think I get from being wheeled around. I say it's laughable because ONE hour of the pain I go through on an average day, not even a bad day, would change their minds. Even if I could I would never wish this on anyone. Be kind. Give people the benefit of the doubt. I would rather be a kind fool then victimize someone who is already struggling. Thank you so much for you video.
Just this morning, I parked in the disabled space, used my cane to get into the store and considered getting on one of the scooters because I was so tired and run down thanks to an emotional breakdown the night before. And I didn't because of the crap. When I ride, I ride with earbuds in, not just because it cuts down on the anxiety of being in a large space with many people, but so I can miss those stares and crap. Thank you for this video.
Ugh I hate the witchhunt of "illness fakers". Not only for this but also mental health which is a different beast to be sure. Anyway its bad enough I won't even use a power scooter when I do my groceries just to avoid abuse. I have a really nasty problem with the sciatic nerve caused by a herniated disc. As such my legs can freeze and go into painful muscle spasm pretty much at any time but walking and standing for more than few minutes are the common triggers. While I do limp occasionally its not always noticeable. So yeah multiple times I've had my legs completely fuck up in public and scared the shit out of everyone around me thinking I was dying or something. This is the price we both have to pay being prejudice ignorant gatekeepers cannot keep their nose out of the business of strangers.
I watched this video and I kept having flashbacks of how some people physically harassed me for using crutches. An OLD lady kicked it out from my hands because I was too young to use it. Someone threw firework just directly in front of me for shits and giggles to see how I will escape (it landed in a puddle luckyly BUT STILL). I feel neglected in so many ways, I feel like I'm not even a person anymore. Thank you for making this video AND speaking about this. We all need this awereness. We all do.
Heló, igen, magyar vagyok. :) De, igen, vannak ilyen hülyék és meglepődnél, hogy mennyi. Tudnék mesélni pár kellemetlen sztorit bár a petárdás volt eddig a legdurvább (és maradjon is így).
absolutely love this video.... I shrieked in laughter when you said "you're too young to be disabled" because I have cerebral palsy AKA I was born disabled..... the ignorance in this world.... yikes. educate the people!!! much support!
There are so many types of disabilities that people are born with, it doesn't make a bit of sense to tell a person they are too young to be disabled. I'm a full-time wheelchair user, born with Spina Bifida. I get the death stare when I park, because I am usually alone, and I couldn't possibly be a young, wheelchair using independent driver.
I have heard these "they are not disabled" arguments so many times. Made me cringe so hard and now I'm going to do my best to discuss it with the people who make these comments. Really liked this video!
I had a person take a civilian style taser to me once shocking me right in my face multiple times because he thought I was in a wheelchair for sympathy and later found out I have muscular dystrophy and brain damage. I was homeless and at the back of a dirt parking lot for many days without food, but I never begged and anyone that asked I denied I was homeless. And still the harassment and at times even physical abuse I had to endure was distressing. Witch hunt is an understatement.
Ugh that reminds me of this whole community dedicated to finding "illness fakers". They judge people by whether or not they cry authentically enough when talking about their illnesses, and stuff like that. Fuels my misanthropy.
Kyra?? ???? Yup! Those people are total douchebags and really need to get a life! They spend way too much time talking about, calling names and putting down all their "fakers", i dont know if theyre jealous or just bitter, worthless sub humans who just need to get laid! I mean, theyre probably right about some of these people being fake but again, get a life!
YES. when I was little I couldn't walk far and I used to feel so much shame and embarrassment using my disabled badge/wheelchair. I felt like everyone thought I was a faker, it made me feel like I was just lazy and couldn't talk to anyone about my condition.
I've been so scared of witch hunters so I've never brought my cane outside, I try to go on without it, just taking really long breaks. My EDS has gotten a lot worse, I couldn't stand it anymore, so yesterday, I finally used my cane at school for the first time, and it was mostly okay, a lot of stares, a lot of questions. No attacks so far. Today I used it out as well, and one of the heads saw me and I talked to her about it, and she was very accommodating, if that's the word. She offered a lot of help. I wonder what will happen on days that I don't use it. I'm so terrified of being accused a faker or something. And physical attacks scare me even more.
Catarina yes plus the quad cane hurts my whole rt.arm jaw shoulder,hand,knuckles,temple,eye etc from other things but I don't want to fall on cement or hard floor but I can do w/o it at home in the house on carpet by holding onto things as I walk, sometimes I fall yes. Plus it's still embarrassing to use a quad cane even though now I'm 64. I wasn't when I first got MS. I was in a w/c and still use one for long distances. Thank You for your comment ♡♡♡
I understand what you are saying about disability I used to work at Walmart the reason a lot of people frowned on young people who are disabled and they Look at them funny is because at Walmart they have too many children playing on the scooters running the battery down and think it is funny then leave it I’m all over the store this is how the parents raise their children nowadays
This is all so true . No you cannot distinguish whether if someone is faking or not just by looking at them unless if you're some kind of private investigator and you're trained to spot the fakers then I can see your ability to do so. Some disabilities are not that obvious but it doesn't mean that a person doesn't have a disability people with heart conditions will use handicap spaces because they can't walk for very long distances in some cases they may use wheelchairs as well. As far as people that are overweight and need wheelchairs or scooters losing weight isn't always the solution people have thyroid problems and they have an inability to control their weight no matter how much they diet. This is also a pretty big problem in the VIP Community visual impairment community not everyone that uses a white cane is completely blind some people may need it on occasions maybe for Curves steps some people may just have depth perception issues and stumble over steps and curves some people might have no peripheral vision and can't see their surroundings all around at once they use the cane for identification not so much for Mobility so people with low vision might occasionally use a white cane. Then you have people who are totally blind that must depend on the white cane 100% of the time but just because you see someone holding the cane by their side and not probing the entire time does it mean they're faking blindness but you'll always get people that will say that . As far as getting disability government benefits some people might get some disability like SSI but still work. People are entitled to their opinions but I believe they should just keep to themselves don't walk up and start harassing people because you think they're faking cuz maybe they're not and if they can prove that they're not you're going to eat your words I guarantee it so bottom line people mind your own damn business. Thanks for sharing this video I hope this gets the word across and hopefully you won't be harassed or accused anymore of Faking your disability have a great day.
I'm disabled with an invisible disease and I hate when I get looks from strangers who have no idea what I have to deal with on a daily basis. When I park in a handicap spot I usually need to use my cane
I have autism and mild intellectual disability people think I am too pretty to be disabled or just being lazy or entitled . I get harassed by family members who think I am just making excuses grrr. So frustrating
I have a invisible disability. When I see a young person in a store scooter shopping and doesn't look disabled I just be respectful and keep my nose out that person's business
I am mentally and physically disabled. I hate it when people calls me names(besides Mrs giraffe )I am also not aware of my surroundings, meaning I could end up at a hospital anytime. It's part of my attention deficit disorder. When I'm asked to do chores, I might forget a second later. I also have advanced bone age, gigantism(I have a bigger heart, I have a slightly higher chance of having a heartattack) sensory problems, writing problems(yes, I can write, but its messy), social problems and more. I'm still finding out what I have, and I was born with these. I'm not afraid to fight. I will make someone go into the ER. I can get aggressive. But I can't control it sometimes, I can also lash out on another person.
Or have a 67 cm mass growing out of your spine. My best friend has MS. She parked in a handicap spot and walked into the store. A man yelled at her "you don't look handicap." She yelled back 'You don't look stupid."
As someone with a real disability ( nocturnal grand mal seizures) I’m reporting everyone I see faking even family …and I want them to serve some prison time or something…that’s messed up( what I wouldn’t give for a healthy body )
@@Chiller-pc1dv You are just parroting what this foul narrator on this video said . Infract there is an epidemic of people faking disabilities . How do you tell ? One , is that they always are talking about their disability. 2 is that they will outright tell you they are faking . 3 ) they refuse to ever go see any doctor other than the one who put them on disability... and many other ways , You are probably faking yours as well
A few weeks ago it was close to 100 degrees and even though my mobility was fine that day, I used my parking badge because POTS makes me highly prone to heat exhaustion and I really needed to limit my exposure to a non-climate controlled environment. I was dressed up for a party and I popped into Trader Joe's to pick up some snacks to bring. As I got back in my car I saw an older lady with visible mobility issues make her way toward me, signaling that she wanted to speak to me. I braced myself for what would come next. But what she said was, "When I saw you walk into the store I said to my daughter, look at that gorgeous woman! She looks like a storybook character, or a pin-up!" I seriously almost burst into tears. I'm sure it confuses people when I'm standing around using my cane because of my balance issues, and then see someone I want to talk to and pick up my cane to scurry over to them. But as a new cane user, I've been really lucky so far. I'm sure it won't last, but I'm going to try to hold on to that memory of the lady at Trader Joe's.
So glad you put this vlog out there. I have been harassed so much, too many to count. All the same exact things. Also not only by strangers but Doctors and Nurses! Also all three of those things you said too young, pretty, or over weight. Every time I see a new doctor and tell them what all my illnesses or disabilities are I hear those same exact words and I'm going to be 46 next month and have 2 grandchildren. It's ridiculous! One time as I was slowly getting out off my car with my cane an older man came right up to my face cursing at me because I was too young to be disabled. When in fact he appeared in better shape than me. I use a cane and a rollater walker with a seat. I'm currently trying to get a power chair or scooter it's waiting for insurance approval. Sometimes I have really good days where I can walk without assistance but only for a short distance. So if I go somewhere that's not going to require much walking let's say the gas station or my pharmacy I won't park in handicap spot. If I go to a large store like Wal-Mart even on a good day I will park in a handicap spot walk in unassisted and then use the electric scooter. That's when people really go crazy. Having invisible illnesses is hard! I actually have 10 different diagnoses! We need more education to the public regarding Invisible Illnesses.
Oh I remember a story where an old lady took a piece of paper and wrote faker on it and put it on someone's car. Wanna know the twist. The person who owned said car made a tiktok where she listed many things that impacted her quality of life and the main one I can remember is that they only had 1 lung.
I get angry and disapproving looks and tuts before I get out my car because I’m young. They have no clue I’m severely disabled and sitting in an electric wheelchair until I get out. No one ever apologises.
There is far too much judgementalism and not nearly enough compassion these days. A "faker" would have to go to some lengthy extremes to go through the process of getting a decal or "pretending" to be disabled...for what? A parking space? My feeling is if tney can pull that off, maybe they deserve the spot anyway. And you are so right about a lot of disabilities being invisible...how rude do you have to be to question someone about something so personal anyway?
Seriously some people won't be happy until they see you without your legs... It's absolutely disgusting how some people like to stick their nose in other people's lives. It would almost make disabled people feel guilty or bad about trying to get better or stronger. People need to get the hell off their high horse. If you haven't walked in someone else's shoes--just mind your own freaking business. #Live&LetLive
That is so terrible, thank you for clearing up a lot of this for many people that aren't familiar with these things. It is very good to broaden one's mind.
I treated the same way...I am 53 with severe heart problems. I am so tired of people treating me like i am a scammer when they find out I'm on disability. If I could work I would, I had a $75 grand a year job and only get $24,000 a year from SSDI. I had to sell everything I owned to make it while I waited to get approved.
If I ever get to the point of needing a disabled parking spot, and someone outright confronted me on it, I'd have half a mind to just pull out a party trick, dislocate a shoulder, and scream "do I look disabled enough to you NOW?! Oh god, it hurts so much !" Just fuck with 'em. In reality I'd probably just end up walking away.
I'm a cane user. I recently started using it because my mobility has begun to deteriorate, but where I live it's the middle of the school year. I overheard my teachers gossiping about how they though I don't really need my mobility aid, students kicking over my cane to see if I fall over, the constant stares from literally everyone. It makes me so mad.
17 with Eds and pots. I get harassed daily no matter what if I’m using my mobility aids or not. It’s really nerve racking because I have bad anxiety problems and random people yelling at me trigger panic attacks
This reminds me of the time when my mum had to go fetch a power scooter for her cousin because she was in too much pain to walk. People yelled the most horrible things at her as she drove the 200 meters from the management office to the bench we were sitting on. I can't even imagine how awful it would be to hear awful things from strangers every couple of meters in everyday life.
I get so annoyed when people park in the disabled parking and don't have a handicap. Yes maybe they forgot to put up their stickers, but I had an experience where was in the car with my step-grandparents (who admitted they didn't have a disability) and they parked in the handicap anyway because "it was more convenient." I didn't bring my handicap permit, but even if I did, its only for me to use. some of my family took it from me to borrow even though they didn't have a disability. Its my handicap permit and if you need your own then get your own (from a doctor. my first doctor actualy refused to give me one because "i didn't have a heart disease and I walked to his office." ) so to me its rude to just park there if you don't need it because it took two doctors (and two years actually) to get one.Just, even if there are more handicap parking available, don't park there, its extremely rude for those who are disabeled or need it even its temporarily.
Thank you so much for making this!! I had a friend in high school who couldn't walk very far or without chronic pain and anytime I went with him anywhere and he parked in a designated space with his card clearly displayed on his car, people would still leave nasty notes, glare at him or chase him down to yell at him, thinking he was some kid faking it or using his parents car because they saw him walking out of the car and he was a teenager. People really don't understand if they haven't bothered to educate themselves so thanks for making this easier for people to learn. I learn so much from your videos!
As someone with an "invisible disability" I'm thrilled that you made this video!!! I hope that ppl really think before they judge, but the reality is that too many ppl are too quick and uneducated to do that
I have Ehlers Danlos Syndrome, too. So obviously, I have chronic joint pain and my joints pop out and slide around. I get "accustomed" to pain and learn to not show it unless it's really severe pain, but I get really tired of it. A private citizen is not entitled to my life story. And I get the "you're too young" excuse far too often. It was not my proudest moment when I flipped out on an older woman who verbally attacked me for "taking" her parking space (I was there first, signaling, and had my hanger up) and told her, "Well you're too old to be this stupid, because some people are born with disabilities!" I get so aggravated with people. >(
Yes! Yes! and Yes!!!!!!!! I hate when people just make assumptions & claim to be protecting the spaces for the "real" handicapped people. Trust me, if I was able to park any where else, I would. I would gladly trade my placard for being healthy any day!!!!!!
I just got diagnosed with fibromyalgia and hypermobility after 10+ years of "growing pains" that used to make me cry and pass out from the pain and a mile-long list of abnormal symptoms, only to be told "you should just sleep more" by rheumatologists. This is very validating, thank you! It sucks living with an invisible illness that can't be treated, let alone be tested for, so people constantly second-guess me. Who knows if my diagnosis is even 100% correct, but I still have to deal with "its all in your head" comments all the time and people thinking fibro patients don't "deserve" mobility aid.
omg i love this. i dont use disability parking but i do have an invisible disability and am siiiick of people assuming im faking or not taking me seriously
scary how this was a recommended video today. after reading this comment on Facebook by a nurse in the local hospital. (this is only part of the message. "but I have seen in the past people using them who quiet frankly obviously have no need for them ") So how can they tell I wonder?
Ambulatory wheelchair users exist. Meaning they use wheelchairs because they need to rest from serve pain. I have a genetic disorder that causes severe pain and to switch from different mobility aids throughout the week. I can still walk but on a bad pain day it will be hard
I am in end stage renal disease and have a handicapped placard so I can park closer to the store. I don't "look" sick but I am 43 days away from transplant (God willing) and would feel just awful if someone said anything to me about not deserving to park in that spot. Dear People who judge others: I would gladly park in the spot furthest from any shop, park, building or whatever to be healthy again. To not have to beg someone for a lifesaving transplant and then worry about going bankrupt to pay for the medications I'll have to take the rest of my life so I don't lose the precious gift I was given. If you can get up out of bed every day without pain, nausea, cramping, being paralyzed, seizures, dizziness, loss of sight, missing limbs, weakness because of malnutrition due to illness and go do whatever you want that day instead of going to clinic, chemo, physical therapy, the psychiatrist, the hospital - be incredibly thankful and try having compassion for those of us who don't have those benefits. Some illnesses are invisible. To YOUR eyes. But for those of us living with them, sometimes it's all we can see.
This helped a lot I've been in spaces with cane or without wheel chair especially work places where I haven't felt like admitting to being disabled. Or people thinking I'm too talkative and personable to be autistic.
I am 32 and I have late stage RA. I use a wheelchair daily. I work in retail as a manager of a Swarovski crystal store. I sometimes have to stand up to reach things or clean things etc. I get looks, questions, PRAYED OVER, mocked and pitied every single day. thank u for this video. I will be sharing it with everyone I know. love and support
My dad once got fined for parking in a handicap spot because my chair wasn't in the car when it was parked. Neither was one of us as we were obviously not using the car at the moment
I can't handle light for long periods of time, due to my illness. I have to wear sunglasses so dark I can't see much, and, depending on the light and the day, I will often have to use a white cane for mobility. When conditions change, or the task I am trying to accomplish changes, the level of sight I get to use changes too. I am scared stiff that people will get all up in my face when I go from walking along with a cane in the bright street, to looking at price tags in a dimly lit shop. I am not faking, my disability is just different to what people assume when they see my mobility aid :'( No one has attacked me yet, but it is still a thought you have in the back of your mind. Sometimes I am too worried about this happening to use my cane, then either I jeopardize my health by letting in too much light and facing the consequences, or I jeopardize my safety crossing the street, or I put others in danger by walking into them or tripping over them. Loved this video, thank you
I clicked on this video with a lot of skepticism because of the title, and honestly, I was pleasantly surprised. Thank you for voicing the things that have been on my mind for a really long time!
thank you for making this video, I go through the same thing every day with my scooter, thank you for standing up and saying that people with disabilities comes in many shapes,sizes ages and ablities much love for what your doing 💕💕
Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!! For this video. This is a major issue and more attention should be brought to it. I don't know how many times I have gotten the "you're to young to be disabled or dealing with that" from people on the bus and even my own boss. Anyway love your videos keep up the good work! 😀
Wow, I guess I have privilege here as someone more obviously disabled (cerebral palsy). My parents and I have been guilty of judging people in sports cars in the past for parking in disabled spaces. Better to assume they're disabled than cause upset, right? Disabled people still can love sports cars!
I was told i was not disabled as the parking space clearly shows a wheelchair sign & i was on crutches have been spat at called a fake my car has been spat on & punched pushed over,told to take my crutches back to hospital & stop faking as soon as i walk people say your a faker as you say not all disabilities are oblivious.I was diagnosed at aged 19 & have the “your faking it” my entire life it seems we can’t go out went to a concert which if i was disabled then i wouldn’t be able to do,& please it would be great to chat as i have friends but none that understand & support is vital so if there is anyone out there who feels like me that your judged,have been verbally & physically attacked or other please reply as sick of having to prove my disability & why should i have to.🤬 Am in the UK
Just found your videos. Thank you for making this video!!! I have hEDS and my mobility changes greatly for day to do. I walk "normally," with a cane, with a walker, or use a wheelchair. If I use my chair, I must get up and stretch regularly or I'll end up in more pain. Just because I can't walk aalllll the way through the airport or museum doesn't mean I can't get up at all. 🙄 Ugh.
![The Importance of Visibility for Invisible Disabilities [CC]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/3uQ2aXKgDVw/mqdefault.jpg)
![The Importance of Visibility for Invisible Disabilities [CC]](/img/tr.png)
![How Hatred For Laziness Impacts Disabled People [CC]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/BHeiITqKTA8/mqdefault.jpg)
I have a friend who needs a wheelchair because walking puts too much pressure on his kidneys and that can lead to serious complications. One time, he parked in the handicap spot at the supermarket and walked out of the car to take his wheelchair out of the trunk. The looks he got were just mindblowing. One woman even said "You should be ashamed". Just because someone is in a wheelchair, it doesn't mean they can't walk! That's a really narrow minded assumption.
Yes!! I’ve been in a wheelchair for around a year but in the last 2 months or so I have been able to walk. People (at school especially) freak out and gossip about me saying that I’m fake. It disgusts me cause I’ve been in so much pain for so long and people still say such awful things. It really hurts. 💔
@@phia9443 "Stay sick, and you're not trying hard enough. Make improvement, and you were faking all along. Share your reality, and you're seeking attention. Keep the struggle to yourself, and you aren't really sick." -@SponfulsOfKindness (you're not alone)
Yeah, a lot of people I’ve seen/met that have wheelchairs can actually walk if needed, it’s just hard and painful. I was in a wheelchair for a little bit because of an ankle injury and I was on a trip out of the country so I requested a wheelchair when we were in malls or museums.
Omg the women who said that is the one who should be ashamed
Yeah, I’ve gotten that. Or dirty or astounded looks at the grocery store when I stand up to reach something, or walk partway down the aisle to get something else, once I’m already up. I either ignore them or politely point out that a good 65% of wheelies can walk. Educating people foes a long way.
I clicked on this bc I thought, "WHAT? You can't tell!" & then I was relieved. As someone with an invisible disability it's basically my #1 fear to be called 'fake' :(
Ruby
😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭
Sadly this kind of stuff happens to us all the time. Like maybe someone with Cerebral Palsy may need a Walker one day and everyone can see it, then 6 days later they do not need it anymore.
🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄
I am just rolling my eyes because of all the people that would stare.
🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄
Right now I am just thinking do these people know the meaning of invisible disability???
Same
Ruby ahhhh sameee
EXACTLY!!
same
As a 19 year old with fibromyalgia who has trouble walking, trust me when I say when you try to weed out people who are "not really disabled", more often than not you are just hurting...really disabled people.
Omg i am 16 with fibromyalgia and people always try and say that there is nothing wrong with me but I am in so much pain that I want to cry it is really hard to be a disabled
Fibromyalgia isn’t real
A friend of mine had a a double heart and lung transplant and uses handicapped spaces when going out. She's very pretty and doesn't "look disabled" (whatever that means) and has been verbally harassed stepping out of her car. At one point she became so fed up she lifted her shirt to show the large scar running down her sternum to a very angry middle-age woman, who was quite contrite afterward.
It's also quite possible they're actually aiding someone with a disability - When I pick up my disabled friend, I park in the disability spot, so she can reach the car. When I get out of the car, sure, it doesn't look like I need it - *I* don't. *She* needs it, when she comes *to* the car, which I drove to go get her!
WHY DOES THIS NEVER OCCUR TO PEOPLE. Thank you.
Pretty Bad At Everything Because they are simply not aware of anything to do with disability, nor do they fully understand the legitimate uses of a parking placard.
I got some utterly "classic" looks one day when I rolled up in my car, parked in the disability spot (with a card in the window, I might add) then got out of the car and *walked* around to the other side.
The looks turned to embarrassment when I opened the passenger door and assisted my cousin, who has Cerebral Palsy, out of the car and got her walking frame for her.
I cannot thank you enough for posting this. I have Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome and cannot tell you how many times I've heard people say I am "faking" or "not really disabled". THANK YOU.
"You're too young to have an invisible illness" ugh don't even get me started. I got diagnosed at age 12, so I hear a lot of that
+24 Limitless I know right! I was diagnosed with MCTD when I was 10 and I'm now 16. The main symptom for me is arthritis and people are like "you can't have that as only old people get it" or assume it can't be bad/I'm faking and I'm like if you don't understand what my illness is, POLITELY ask me about it or just please don't give your opinion on it. I mean generally I'm all for free opinion, but illnesses aren't opinions, they're realities!! :)
Jess Clarke hey, I'm so sorry you have a disability to, I really wish I could tell you it gets easier or better. but I cant lie to you it gets worse, I am not talking about your illness as I don't know about that I never heard of it before actually, anyways I am meaning as in how strangers act and treat you, when you have a bad day and you end up using your wheelchair then the next day your having a great day and so your outside throwing some ball with your buddy or brother, And then comes ALL the harassment. never let people stop you from doing what you want to do, And hey if you are having a great day then you get out of that wheelchair or whatever device you use when you have a bad day, and go have some fun. And on your bad days use your wheelchair or whatever or simply lay in your bed and chill online, That's what I do, I have terminal cancer so I relate to lot of these things, although I have a disability besides the cancer I also have gastroparsis that's where my stomach is paralyzed it don't move my food to my intestines anymore and it don't disgest right and so I have a feeding tube, So that's my food now. Its all ok though. My illnesses will be gone in 6 months to 2 yrs. That's what they say I have left, So we shall see. God Bless I will be praying for you
@@jessclarke1987 so well said!
@@cindyshaw5867 Hey Cindy, i just want to say: enjoy each minute of what it is left! 💕 Much love! *I took care of granny with terminal skin cancer. I appreciated every single day and laugh i had with her! 100% soul's food and worth it 💞💞💞
Scuffed That’s a perfectly legitimate, understandable, and common attitude,
I would suggest that you consider which is more important - being able to do whatever you want and need to do without knocking yourself out, or how you get around to do it.
That’s what tipped the scales for me. I wanted my life back, and how I got around while doing the things I wanted to do became a moot point. After experiencing the freedom my wheelchair gives me, I only wish I’d gotten it a *lot* sooner than I did. Once I realized it wasn’t some kind of giving up or giving in, but a huge benefit, I haven’t looked back.
Ditto with the handicapped placard. Just because you have one doesn’t mean you always have to use it. It does give you options, though, for those bad days ;-)
Crying because I've never heard any one else talk about invisible disability before, and mine is so well hidden. I thought I was alone but you just said everything people roll there eyes at me for. I felt so invalidated.
Where did this big "everyone is faking" mindset come from? Besides the DMV doesn't hand out the place cards to anyone who walks in wanting it.
In the UK it's perpetuated by the tabloids & TV shows about catching benefit (welfare) abusers, even the government buys into it with changing the disability benefits to "reduce fraud" despite experts repeatedly saying that fraud makes up less than about 0.5% of all claimants, but then on top of that we're then told figures about millions of pounds in unclaimed benefits that people are entitled to (usually because people either don't think they qualify or don't want to subject themselves to the humiliation). Ironically, those who are frauds are usually the ones who can beat the system & the genuinely in need are getting thrown off their much needed benefits (I'm talking people who have serious heart conditions who collapsed with a heart attack & rushed to hospital during their medical assessment who are then told they don't qualify for the benefit because they failed to complete the assessment - it's sickening). The government would rather pay a company like ATOS hundreds of millions of pounds a year to throw sick & disabled people off their benefits than pay the people the benefits they really need. :(
My opinion... because I paid attention growing up. Yes kids soak things up even if you don't think so.
Not from one but many...I'd hear how older folks hated on people who were disabled. Really didn't and still doesn't matter why. It's backwoods mentality, something easy to pick at, hate on, have a beer to. People think you're getting a free, happy, carefree life.
My question is why do we save people...so that they can be societies punching bag?
it's a default mindset the majority of people have in respect to marginalized and misunderstood groups. "if this person doesn't behave in the realm of my misconceptions, then they must be faking." it stems from a lack of compassion and willingness to understand people that deviate from the majority.
Well, people do actually cheat. Some states will give you both plates and a placard, and people use their relatives’ placards. Or when kids driving their parents or grandparents car with plates go ahead and park in the reserved space. But that’s a minority of people, and vigilante justice isn’t helpful.
Insurance companies started this on television in the 1960's and 70's, and it has infected the minds of Americans. The NFL even paid a neuroscientist to coin the diagnosis mTBI ("mild Traumatic Brain Injury) and to reduce brain injury evaluations to mere "concussions" in emergency rooms and primary care throighout the country. Auto insurance companies were elated and have lobbied state politicians to reduce allowable injury and medical coverage through bribes and lawmaking.
MRI's are necessary to determine tge extent of brain injuries, so they paid lawmakers to restrict MRI's for TBI evaluations unless a doctor refers 5 medical imaging facilities within a 100 mile radius.
I think my neck of the woods only has 3.
To avoid all the problems that come with being mistaken for a faker, I've just fashioned a few dozen relevant pages of my medical records into an outfit that I wear every time I go out, and I got the word "DISABLED" tattooed across my forehead. Isn't that what all disabled people do??
I knew I was forgetting something!!!
Ha ha ha
You need to share your pattern so we can make that outfit, too! :) And, yes, I have thought of getting that tattoo!
Shala Carter
🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
You know that was really really funny, but not everyone wears a bracelet or a headband that says multiple disabilities on it.
For example a mother may have a child who is nonverbal and might have Autism, not every child has the word autistic written across their forehead.
🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
Golden!
I was using my disability placard . I went back to my car and took it down to place it in my glove compartment then left the parking space. A cop started following me out of the parking lot and around the corner. He puts his lights and siren on. He comes over to my window asks me for my license and registration, I ask him why? Then he gets nasty and repeats himself. I open up my glove compartment and he notices my blue handicap decal that hangs from my mirror. He says oh, you are handicap then proceeds to tell me it wasn't hanging in my mirror. I tell him yes it was but once I turned on my car I put it away because according to the DMV I'm not allowed to drive with it hanging. He takes my decal and starts rubbing it. Not only can people be jerks but so can cops. I. Took out my registration for my decal and he says he believes me, why was he rubbing it! He could have stopped me in the parking lot but decided to wait till I was on a busy street so he could humiliate me. He was wrong. Someone told me it probably was because I look healthy and am pretty...what the hell does this have to do with being disabled. People are so friggin ignorant! And some cops are on power trips. He is a young cop and God willing he will never have to know what being handicap is all about. ❤️
I've had that happen and said "what's your name, badge number and supervisors name? I have some comments I'd like the share with them.
Thank you for making this awareness video. The general public need to be more aware that this kind of abuse/bullying exists all the time and that it has huge consequences for the victim. We're extremely busy trying just to cope with our daily struggles and this is the last thing we need.
The worse ones are those who judge you by the car you're driving. As if being disabled means you can't work at all and you're on a fix income like SSDI. While some of us who are disabled can't work there are some who can.
I lost my lower left leg in an car accident years ago and now use a prosthetic. Even though I have a disabled plate I don't always need to use it now to park in a handicap spot even though I'm entitled to because I know how it feels when there are no spaces left and you're really having a bad day and need to park closer. I only use it on my bad days when I experience ghost pains or pain in the area of the amputation and have trouble walking or standing a long time. But when you see me, unless I'm wearing shorts or a dress, you can't tell I have a prosthetic leg. On bad days the only telltale sign is a little limp but the pain is there.
However on one bad day that I needed to use a handicap spot a woman confronted me in the parking lot and accused me of not being handicap, that I didn't deserve to park in that spot and that I should be ashamed because I was abusing the system and taxpayers money and that I was just being lazy. She even threaten to call the police and even said someone on disability couldn't even afford the car I had so I must be faking it (newsflash just because someone is disabled doesn't automatically mean they're on disability and can't work). By now people were watching her ranting and actually agreeing with her. And even though I didn't have to prove anything I raised my pants leg to show the prosthetic.
I never seen a group of idiots shut up so fast. The woman who started it all walked quickly back to her car and drove off without even apologising for yelling at me. Most of the small crowd of people who were agreeing with her walked away too without saying a word, others just laughed it off like it was a joke. Ya let's go humiliate someone we know nothing about ha ha.
Btw there were several empty handicap spots.
Lady Deadpool 💋 this is so awful! It genuinely shocks me how people are so quick to jump to conclusions
Lady Deadpool 💋 I agree - I was forced to move by a supermarket security guard. Even though I had my badge, his comment was that no-one disabled would be able to own ‘that car’ so stop faking it.
Ironically he was an employee of the Council I was consulting to at the time about change and transformation. I went to their offices the next day for a scheduled meeting with a group of directors and told them what had happened. They were totally horrified, but I educated them to the fact this sort of bias and bullying happens a lot to people with hidden disabilities.
Lady Deadpool 💋 it's amazing that those people that Circle do their intentions as they would have everyone believe we're good because they thought you were taking advantage. So I guess those people want to pump up their chest as if they're just so wonderful good good wonderful caring people. I can't believe such good wonderful people were such a swipes they couldn't even apologize so let's face it there are people out there like them that want to walk around with their superhero capes on but are unable to admit they're wrong. What a fantastic example to their children and families those people must be.
rita pita I would have followed one or two of them and demanded an apology and publicly shame them for something that they actually are guilty of.. Discrimination.
Lady Deadpool...you're absolutely correct. There's a lot of times that due to my medical issues that I need a handicapped space at the store, however, most of the time I don't park in Handicapped spaces, and when I do, people act like they "OWN" and have paid for the space (handicapped). Most people have got it into their stupid head that ALL people who have a Handicapped Placard, or a Handicapped License Plate on their car...are supposed to be PARALYZED....and that's not true...
I have been verbally attacked when going into a store and using a motorized wheel-chair...and yes, I have been asked point blank if I REALLY TRULY am disabled. Its so sad.
PLZ.....just let it alone. IF people are using wheelchairs in stores, they obviously need it, YES, EVEN those who are MORBIDLY OBESE need the motorized wheelchairs, DESPITE what you actually think.
Another thing I have noticed when using a wheelchair in a store is people look and act like you're mentally deficient....and often smile at you as if you can't carry on an intelligent conversation!! LOL The nerve of some people!
I have extensive nerve damage throughout my body (especially in my legs). This disability is invisible and changes in intensity throughout the day. Sometimes I have 'good days', and sometimes I have 'bad days'. But most of the time, even when I am having a 'good day', and can SEEMINGLY be walking just like a 'regular' (non-disabled) person, after walking for a while (at the store or such), my legs start to go numb and give out on me. So, even if I look OK when walking TO the store from the handicapped parking space, I may be barely able to return to the parking lot and my car after I am done shopping, due to my nerve damage flaring up. I usually lean on a cart for support. Parking up closer means that I have a chance to get my chores done independently, and get back home safely.
Some days my legs give me trouble quickly, while other days it is a longer process . But the outcome is the same - I get less able to function as the day goes on. And if saving a few steps in a parking lot means that I can have a 'better day' without as much pain, then Good For Me!
I like to think of it as a frayed electric cord on a lamp. Sometimes
the lamp lights up just fine. Sometimes the light flashes on and off
(like a short in the wiring), And sometimes the lamp won't light at all.
Thank you! Like, hey, I took a wheelchair here so I could use up my whole 15 minutes of standing inside the store instead of giving up after the trek to the front door.
Same here! I walk okay (to the casual observer) for a little bit, but after a while it starts to hurt a LOT and some muscles stop functioning properly. I can still make it look okay, but I have to walk VERY carefully.
I don't know why people have it in their heads that they have the right to judge strangers, whom they know nothing about, and call their disability fake or not. hell, I'm not disabled, but I do have an old injury that has left me with nerve damage in my leg. So sometimes I don't immediately get up and give my seat to somebody older than me, which in the south is considered extraordinary rude, because I can't stand at the moment. And people treat me like a leper. I can't imagine how terrible it is for people who legitimately have disabilities who have to go through this every single day. you produce some really great content, and I love the way you presented this video. You are very articulate and thoughtful.
Omg. The title of this video gave me legit anxiety because I thought you were actually going to tell people how to spot it. I’m SO glad you didn’t. Thank you for this video. I’m legally blind. My vision is very poor due to a genetic condition and cannot be corrected with glasses, contacts, or surgery. I use a white cane and I’m recognized as being blind by the law, but I can still see. I’m often accused of faking blindness when I’m using my cane and someone sees me look at something. I feel like this is very similar to a wheelchair user walking. You’re an incredible TH-camr. Keep it up!
I’d also like to add that I mainly use my cane outdoors (for steps, traffic, severe sun sensitivity, etc.) and I often fold up my cane when Im indoors. Folding up my cane gives me severe anxiety and makes people question me.
Anyone else recognize the role the media plays in this?
The media shows us stories of parking placard abuse, tragic stories of car accidents leading to paraplegia, and images of the elderly using mobility devices. No wonder the public believes that all individuals who are not paralyzed or elderly must be stopped because they are faking.
Sure, individuals have the responsibility to educate themselves. But until our society as a whole can spread a more diverse image of disability, those of us who seem "atypical" will continue to be judged and harassed.
Thanks, Annie, for spreading awareness 😊
It's not the public's job to police disabled parking placards.
Yes! That's what I was going to say to. Almost every news story about service dogs is about "the fake sd epidemic" and how to spot them (always with false and extremely misleading tips) it's so bad that every handler I know gets accused of being fake, and often even harrased for it.
Maggie Smith My dog has passed away and I haven’t yet gotten another one, but I used to come across that kind of attitude when I had a service dog.
People have said to me I should give my parking spot to someone more handicapped than me. So I suppose I'm supposed to stand or sit in my car for whatever because now I have a job I have to find somebody more handicapped than me that is worthy to take this handicap space. It's amazing how many idiots there are out there.
I have this problem all the time. I have autism and am not physically disabled. People have no way of knowing that when I'm being socially awkward or they think I'm being rude or standoffish that I have a disability, so they just assume I'm an unpleasant person.
Same here. I'm autistic myself, and I also have ADHD and major anxiety issues, particularly social anxiety. I sometimes go nonverbal when the anxiety gets really bad, and when I do, I've often been called rude, and in a couple of cases, I lost friends. And I often get treated like I'm a weirdo or a creep when the anxiety gets bad too, because my sensory issues flare up and I become far less comfortable being around people. The last thing I need in that situation from other people is a negative attitude, yet that's the first thing people give me when I can't handle things. And yes, I've had my fair share of social issues and I've had my fair of problems from other people because of it.
I’m an Aspie with ADHD, major depression, hypothyroidism, and possibly BPD. It’s so frustrating when so many are ignorant about disabilities, especially when they have authority.
Me too. Even, i can't Cross the street. I don't park there But i park near exits... Else i would be ran over. And ...
TW: Suicide Attempt Mention
because of this harassment, sometimes i have to find a way to get me out of the idea of WILLINGLY getting ran over
I get this all the time with my cane. It's horrible. Literally every day, I get the stares, the nasty comments, etc. It scares me.
I'm sorry. I know this comments 4 years old but I still wanted to say I get you. I use a cane sometimes to walk and I get this all the time. Even in places that I know who I am and know my reasoning for using one.
Also I love your username
I'm deaf in one ear and hard of hearing in the other ear. Even my close friends often say I'm faking it (because I play/listen to music and can talk) guess what! Not all people with hearing problems can hear nothing! I clicked on this video ready to be pissed off, but was nicely surprised.
I'm deaf in one ear but hear about normal in the other, so people tend to get quite surprised when I have to tell them, "please stand on my right or bloody-well speak up."
Even friends and family forget - so used to me hearing normal conversations - and try to whisper in my left ear or stand on my left side and speak softly/indistinctly or they get pissed off when I ask them for the third or fourth time to repeat themselves when they're on my left side and not speaking loudly enough for me to hear (here in New Zealand, we drive on the left side of the road so the driver's seat is on the right side of the car - this puts the passenger to my left and a *world* of wind noise and passing vehicles on my right - and they *still* expect me to hear them with no problems!)
Ugh, yes. Just yesterday, I was going out to lunch with my siblings and my grandmother, who is in a wheelchair. As we were pulling up to the restaurant, a truck pulled into a handicapped space, and three men got out, all without the use of any mobility aids. Now, I shall emphasize, there was still a readily-accessible handicapped space that we then proceeded to park in, but nonetheless, BOTH of my siblings immediately started criticizing the men in the truck, saying, "Hmm, you look real disabled, there" and things like that. And I'm just sitting there with my cane by my side, having not even a year ago been a Person Who Can Walk in possession of a handicapped placard, going, "Seriously, you guys?" I called them out on it, but I don't think the message got across.
I have a Service Dog(in training that already is doing work). People come up to me and say that I'm doing a great job training her and that I'll have a hard time giving her away to someone that really needs her. When they hear that she's for me I get such surprised and hard stares, making me uncomfortable so I just usually say a quiet 'thanks' and leave.
Just because I am young and look 'normal' doesn't mean I do not suffer from a disability/ies. Thanks
I get the "you're too young to need a cane" phrase all the time. It gets really old. Or the blunt question "Why do you have a cane? Did you hurt your knee?". I don't have time to go into an explanation of my illness while standing in front of the grocery store so I often say (with a straight face) "I just use it for attention". I said that to a friend once and two elderly men sitting nearby started glaring at me. They obviously didn't get my kind of humour.
Hahahahaha I sure do! That’s hilarious 😂 hahahahaha I love it!!!! 🧐👏🏻🙌🏻👌🏻👍🏻👍🏻
Amy Slager I think that's hysterical I think that's something you should say when people ask you at the grocery store.
Zoe Steiner it's crazy how many people ask such personal questions and it doesn't occur to them that that's just personal. And then of course you got those that ask them because they just are jerks and they want to act as if they are out there fighting the good fight for other disabled people that are truly deserving of perhaps a parking space. It's a shame that I think the majority of these people that confront others like this saying one doesn't need a parking place, these people are perhaps more arrogant and they are trying to make themselves look better like a sociopath rather than truly fighting for a handicapped person.
Amy Slager yesterday as I was getting out of my car I made eye contact with a fellow driver had a considerable limp going on yesterday and again today anyway I did all my shopping and at the checkout line the lady I made eye contact with said to me " I watched you do all your shopping and you were limping and still are so I'm sure you're not faking it for a handicap spot. Didn't quite know what to say to that. My daughter said I should have said thank you and perhaps the woman would note the sarcasm in my thank-you LOL
I have a fantasy of replying to such asks of personal medical questions as such: Do you have a yeast / fungal infection / alzheimers / a mental illness / cancer / diabetes / asthma / a skin condition / have you ever had a bad rash? When they have a bad reaction you say, "What? I thought from your question we were playing the "ask a stranger personal medical questions out of nowhere" game?? You don't want to play anymore? Cool, me neither.
Like others in the comments, I clicked thinking, "How dare she!" and then was SOOO relieved to hear your message! I suffer from Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome and POTS and am just now coming to terms with having to start using mobility aids and I am terrified! I just don't know how I'll handle the rudeness and meanness of ignorant people. Thank you for motivating me to keep going! I can't stay house-bound forever. My kids deserve a mom who can do more, go more, be more.
I love how calm you are when getting the point across
Joey Leung RIGHT?! I'm yelling by the third attempt to explain myself if it hasn't ended
Im a young guy with a blue badge... I get this all the time when I park in a disabled bay, untill I get out the car and pull my crutches out I have people asking me " are you actually disabled tho" great vid! looking forward to more
Everyone thinks they're a doctor these days.
Olivers Adaptive I'd have responded to that person with.. "Are you a judgmental person?" Or if they were wearing glasses I'd say back "are u really that short sighted?" Lol.
Yes. I’ve heard someone say you aren’t disabled. Really sad.
Yes! This is so important. You have no idea what someone's disability could be. Just because someone doesn't use a mobility device or is having a good day and isn't using it or can walk in certain situations for a few minutes or something doesn't mean they don't have a disability. As well, any age person can have disabilities.
Yes! I've had to use a wheelchair since I was eight, because of my Chronic Fatigue. I can walk, and do so around the house, or if we park near a small shop just to pop in, but I can't walk for too long without it. So, if it's a supermarket, a long shopping day, a zoo trip, or anything the requires more than 10 minutes of walking, I need the chair. It's amazing how many people throw judgmental looks your way when you go into a restaurant with the chair, but walk the 30 second walk to the bathroom, not understanding the difference between that and the 5 hour long shopping trip. I refuse to get out of the chair in supermarkets to get things of high shelves, because I'm scared of being harassed. Then, when you're not using the chair, the glares you get from sitting down on public transport because apparently being young automtically means you're fine and dandy health wise.
This is getting long, and I should stop before I completely rant about the ignorance of some people, haha. Thank you for making this video! It's horrible to think other people are subjected to this feeling, but it's also nice to know we're not alone in our frustrations. Hopefully this might educate some people to think before they speak/leave a note/glare x
CFS/ME/SEID is one of the first things my mind goes to as a possible reason if a person seems to be able to walk "just fine" but is entitled to park in the "disability access" slots.
Yes! I use a powerscooter to get around in general since I can't drive. And I go to the store with it whenever I have a really bad day but still need to go get food since I have run out. I have had so many bad comments from "did you steal your grandparents scooter" to "you should only go out at x time since it's less busy then" to my favourite "you could stand up to get the 'insert product that is put totally out of reach' so you don't need to use that scooter inside the store". I have had people moving my cane out of reach to be "helpful" because it was "in the way". And when I dare say something about it I get laughed at. Since I'm still young I should still be able to go a few steps without it. News flash: most days I even use it inside my own home since the distance from the couch to the toilet can be to far without it.
+Spoonie Storm <3 from one spoonie to another. I hear ya, everything you said is right on.
Stromy Jess hey we seem to watch a lot of the same videos we have commented back and forth on other videos they were always nice comments chit chatty kinda.LOL anyways, I would totally use that scooter all the time. I think they are cool and helpful to but even if I were not disabled I would still buy one and use it. Because if you buy it it is yours and your not taking it from someone else who needs it. They make them all the time. So all in all I don't see what the deal is with if someone wants to spend their money on a scooter just to use that's like no problem at all. people love drama and that's why these people do this picking on us with disabilities most of us physically can NOT defend our selfs, So we should be considered a vulenable group and be protected by all law enforcements and if someone harasses or assults us in any way it should be a hate crime and should be the highest degree felony possible, We need to crack down on this issue. People are dying
I was born with Cerebral Palsy and had my hip fused, when I was a teenager.. and have faced, and still face, ableistic attitudes. When I was very young, I wore a brace on my right leg.. after a series of surgeries, as a teen, I needed crutches, then a cane to walk. I always walked with a noticeable limp and very use of my right hand, and was often teased, ignored and ostracized. I have, during my life, walked with no assistive devices; yet now, at 65, after a fall that broke my fused hip and after a full knee replacement, I use a walker to get around in close places and need my powered wheelchair to travel outside, and especially when having to go anywhere of considerable length and or distance. I also have chronic asthma, since twelve years of age. People with disabilities are different, like every human being is.. and the truth of the matter is, many of the "invisible" disabilities are often more life-threatening than the visible ones. For example, epilepsy, Lupus, diabetes, cancer, heart disease, respiratory conditions, and many others, often go unnoticed, and are not readily obvious to the untrained eye.. but, their impact on the one that has to live with these types of challenges are many times debilitating, and even fatal.
The amount of ignorance in this world is so disheartening. I have an invisible disability and people just don't want to do anything different to be kinder to disabled folks.
Thank you!!! I've been yelled at multiple times. Then they see my cane or I start to get my wheelchair out.... sigh.
The very first time I used my tag, I had just had spinal surgery and didn't have a cane at that point. But an older man harassed me to the point that I had to yell at him and show him my still healing surgical wound.
you worded this so well, I'm 16 and struggling with my hyper mobility and as someone with hypermobility I obviously have to use devices to get around im at the walking tick stage and a few months ago i had to use it a lot to get around and people either stared or gave me filthy looks, I honestly left it in the car and went through the worst pain ever because I was scared of people saying something or bumping into someone i knew, i'm so self conscious with things like when i have to use a sling or a splint or a tubigrip because adults just stare at me like i dont need it or ask what ive done and if i say nothing i get either a cold reaction or a filthy look, people need to understand that not all disability are visible, my local supermarket has had to put signs up saying not all disabilities are visible and people should be respectful
I've done this, made myself sick or put myself in danger to avoid using my mobility aid. Just because of the attention, suspicion, and judgement. It sucks. Seriously why do people think anyone would deliberately fake to go through that. We only use our aids when the pain and danger of NOT using them is WORSE than the pain and danger of the ways society treats us
Susan Williams I had to use a walking stick when I was 11, just one day but it will stick in my mind because it wasn't the kids that treaded me awful but it was my teacher, I had to put it under the table when I was working and she kicked it then gave me a filthy look, she also gave me in trouble for using crutches and shoes that would give me support and shouted at me for not being able to do PE, it's made me so self conscious until this year when I've found other people with it
That is awful, but unsurprising. I have multiple illnesses/disabilities. When I was a child I only had mental illnesses/disabilities, and didn't have any kind of mobility issues (I use a white cane some days now), but I still had similar experiences. Most children, with the exception of a few bullies, were fine with my differences, and liked, or disliked, me based on my personality. Their parents however were not fine with it, I lost so many friends because their parents found out I was mentally ill, and the parents were afraid of me, mostly they were afraid that their children would 'catch' my behaviour, yep, they thought mental illness was contagious.
I am 25 and I am super lucky that I have places where I feel safe now though, my university has really good inclusion policies, and I've found my own little group of friends who are also Disabled. It makes venturing out into the hostile world much more bearable. I am glad you have found the community, and sad it took so long. Abelism sucks
Thank you for speaking on this. In all honesty, I cried all through this video starting about thirty seconds in. Being someone with an invisible disability, harassment is something I fear when I go out and about. On a daily basis I prepare myself to be interrogated, screamed at, or glared at. It is so hard and so frustrating, and the thing is, there isn't much I can do. I obviously have dialogue with people, I explain to them my situation and how everyone is different, and just because you cant see their disability, doesn't mean it isn't there. However I constantly struggle with the idea that nothing I can say or do will change people from being cruel and abusive. I'm not too sure where I'm going with all of this but I imagine you can understand my perspective, and thank you again for making this video. It is a good feeling to know I am not alone in this battle.
As someone with a lot of disabilities and disorders I'm terrified to tell people about all of them (wich is practically necessary to explain to people why I struggle and that I'm not dumb or lazy) in fear of being harassed and called a faker
So you are terrified to tell people about your alleged disabilities and yet , here you are telling the whole world ? ! FAKER !
Yes, 100%! I do not own a wheelchair, but I have a cane, and I have used wheelchairs before in huge places where they provide wheelchairs for people to use, such as at the mall. Even when I use the scooter at the grocery store, and my cane is sitting there in the basket, I'll still get stares. And I'll have people see me on a "good" day (like when I don't have a limp and don't have to use my cane) and they think I'm suddenly cured, or that I was faking the whole time, and it's so frustrating! Thankfully I have friends and family who understand and don't hesitate to stick up for me, but I know that not everyone does.
I'm AFRAID to use my wheelchair when out of my home because I am capable of standing and walking very short distances. I have multiple medical problems and a small fall, simple trip (I have them all the time without my chair) could easily leave me permanently paralyzed, dont even get my started on how much it hurts when I walk. I end up just not going out. I'm getting counseling but let's face it. I'm a victim of bullies. Do they mean well? I'm sure some might. The few I know were jealous. It's laughable but they're angry I can park better and whatever advantage they think I get from being wheeled around. I say it's laughable because ONE hour of the pain I go through on an average day, not even a bad day, would change their minds. Even if I could I would never wish this on anyone. Be kind. Give people the benefit of the doubt. I would rather be a kind fool then victimize someone who is already struggling. Thank you so much for you video.
Just this morning, I parked in the disabled space, used my cane to get into the store and considered getting on one of the scooters because I was so tired and run down thanks to an emotional breakdown the night before. And I didn't because of the crap. When I ride, I ride with earbuds in, not just because it cuts down on the anxiety of being in a large space with many people, but so I can miss those stares and crap.
Thank you for this video.
I hate this. I have an invisible disability and because they are unaware of my disability they harass 'obviously' disabled people in my presence.
Ugh I hate the witchhunt of "illness fakers". Not only for this but also mental health which is a different beast to be sure. Anyway its bad enough I won't even use a power scooter when I do my groceries just to avoid abuse. I have a really nasty problem with the sciatic nerve caused by a herniated disc. As such my legs can freeze and go into painful muscle spasm pretty much at any time but walking and standing for more than few minutes are the common triggers. While I do limp occasionally its not always noticeable.
So yeah multiple times I've had my legs completely fuck up in public and scared the shit out of everyone around me thinking I was dying or something. This is the price we both have to pay being prejudice ignorant gatekeepers cannot keep their nose out of the business of strangers.
People are terrifying, but I hope you found the guts to use the scooter if you still need it.
I watched this video and I kept having flashbacks of how some people physically harassed me for using crutches. An OLD lady kicked it out from my hands because I was too young to use it. Someone threw firework just directly in front of me for shits and giggles to see how I will escape (it landed in a puddle luckyly BUT STILL).
I feel neglected in so many ways, I feel like I'm not even a person anymore. Thank you for making this video AND speaking about this. We all need this awereness. We all do.
SzarnyasLany Te magyar vagy? :o ahogy elolvastam mondom de durva, szerencse, hogy nálunk nincsenek ilyen hülyék. Basszus, sajnalom :(
Heló, igen, magyar vagyok. :)
De, igen, vannak ilyen hülyék és meglepődnél, hogy mennyi. Tudnék mesélni pár kellemetlen sztorit bár a petárdás volt eddig a legdurvább (és maradjon is így).
SzarnyasLany so well-spoken
I'm so sad that happened to you.
That made me cry. So sorry it happened to you, and it's terrible things like that happen to anyone.
absolutely love this video.... I shrieked in laughter when you said "you're too young to be disabled" because I have cerebral palsy AKA I was born disabled..... the ignorance in this world.... yikes. educate the people!!! much support!
There are so many types of disabilities that people are born with, it doesn't make a bit of sense to tell a person they are too young to be disabled. I'm a full-time wheelchair user, born with Spina Bifida. I get the death stare when I park, because I am usually alone, and I couldn't possibly be a young, wheelchair using independent driver.
I have heard these "they are not disabled" arguments so many times. Made me cringe so hard and now I'm going to do my best to discuss it with the people who make these comments. Really liked this video!
I've had someone tell me I was "too pretty" to be disabled.
I had a person take a civilian style taser to me once shocking me right in my face multiple times because he thought I was in a wheelchair for sympathy and later found out I have muscular dystrophy and brain damage. I was homeless and at the back of a dirt parking lot for many days without food, but I never begged and anyone that asked I denied I was homeless. And still the harassment and at times even physical abuse I had to endure was distressing. Witch hunt is an understatement.
Police case number for the alleged attack on you ?
Ugh that reminds me of this whole community dedicated to finding "illness fakers". They judge people by whether or not they cry authentically enough when talking about their illnesses, and stuff like that. Fuels my misanthropy.
Kyra?? ???? Yup! Those people are total douchebags and really need to get a life! They spend way too much time talking about, calling names and putting down all their "fakers", i dont know if theyre jealous or just bitter, worthless sub humans who just need to get laid! I mean, theyre probably right about some of these people being fake but again, get a life!
YES. when I was little I couldn't walk far and I used to feel so much shame and embarrassment using my disabled badge/wheelchair. I felt like everyone thought I was a faker, it made me feel like I was just lazy and couldn't talk to anyone about my condition.
I've been so scared of witch hunters so I've never brought my cane outside, I try to go on without it, just taking really long breaks. My EDS has gotten a lot worse, I couldn't stand it anymore, so yesterday, I finally used my cane at school for the first time, and it was mostly okay, a lot of stares, a lot of questions. No attacks so far. Today I used it out as well, and one of the heads saw me and I talked to her about it, and she was very accommodating, if that's the word. She offered a lot of help. I wonder what will happen on days that I don't use it. I'm so terrified of being accused a faker or something. And physical attacks scare me even more.
Catarina Ehlers Danlos Syndrome is devastating.People are so mean.So UGLY. Best wishes to you. Zebras are real.
Catarina yes plus the quad cane hurts my whole rt.arm jaw shoulder,hand,knuckles,temple,eye etc from other things but I don't want to fall on cement or hard floor but I can do w/o it at home in the house on carpet by holding onto things as I walk, sometimes I fall yes. Plus it's still embarrassing to use a quad cane even though now I'm 64. I wasn't when I first got MS. I was in a w/c and still use one for long distances. Thank You for your comment ♡♡♡
I understand what you are saying about disability I used to work at Walmart the reason a lot of people frowned on young people who are disabled and they Look at them funny is because at Walmart they have too many children playing on the scooters running the battery down and think it is funny then leave it I’m all over the store this is how the parents raise their children nowadays
This is all so true . No you cannot distinguish whether if someone is faking or not just by looking at them unless if you're some kind of private investigator and you're trained to spot the fakers then I can see your ability to do so. Some disabilities are not that obvious but it doesn't mean that a person doesn't have a disability people with heart conditions will use handicap spaces because they can't walk for very long distances in some cases they may use wheelchairs as well. As far as people that are overweight and need wheelchairs or scooters losing weight isn't always the solution people have thyroid problems and they have an inability to control their weight no matter how much they diet. This is also a pretty big problem in the VIP Community visual impairment community not everyone that uses a white cane is completely blind some people may need it on occasions maybe for Curves steps some people may just have depth perception issues and stumble over steps and curves some people might have no peripheral vision and can't see their surroundings all around at once they use the cane for identification not so much for Mobility so people with low vision might occasionally use a white cane. Then you have people who are totally blind that must depend on the white cane 100% of the time but just because you see someone holding the cane by their side and not probing the entire time does it mean they're faking blindness but you'll always get people that will say that . As far as getting disability government benefits some people might get some disability like SSI but still work. People are entitled to their opinions but I believe they should just keep to themselves don't walk up and start harassing people because you think they're faking cuz maybe they're not and if they can prove that they're not you're going to eat your words I guarantee it so bottom line people mind your own damn business. Thanks for sharing this video I hope this gets the word across and hopefully you won't be harassed or accused anymore of Faking your disability have a great day.
I'm disabled with an invisible disease and I hate when I get looks from strangers who have no idea what I have to deal with on a daily basis.
When I park in a handicap spot I usually need to use my cane
I have autism and mild intellectual disability people think I am too pretty to be disabled or just being lazy or entitled . I get harassed by family members who think I am just making excuses grrr. So frustrating
I have a invisible disability. When I see a young person in a store scooter shopping and doesn't look disabled I just be respectful and keep my nose out that person's business
Why cant people just mind their own.
I am mentally and physically disabled. I hate it when people calls me names(besides Mrs giraffe )I am also not aware of my surroundings, meaning I could end up at a hospital anytime. It's part of my attention deficit disorder. When I'm asked to do chores, I might forget a second later. I also have advanced bone age, gigantism(I have a bigger heart, I have a slightly higher chance of having a heartattack) sensory problems, writing problems(yes, I can write, but its messy), social problems and more. I'm still finding out what I have, and I was born with these.
I'm not afraid to fight. I will make someone go into the ER. I can get aggressive. But I can't control it sometimes, I can also lash out on another person.
Or have a 67 cm mass growing out of your spine. My best friend has MS. She parked in a handicap spot and walked into the store. A man yelled at her "you don't look handicap." She yelled back 'You don't look stupid."
As someone with a real disability ( nocturnal grand mal seizures) I’m reporting everyone I see faking even family …and I want them to serve some prison time or something…that’s messed up( what I wouldn’t give for a healthy body )
How can you even tell they're faking? Because plenty of disabilities aren't visible and it's pretty uncommon for people to actually fake them.
@@Chiller-pc1dv You are just parroting what this foul narrator on this video said . Infract there is an epidemic of people faking disabilities . How do you tell ? One , is that they always are talking about their disability. 2 is that they will outright tell you they are faking . 3 ) they refuse to ever go see any doctor other than the one who put them on disability... and many other ways , You are probably faking yours as well
A few weeks ago it was close to 100 degrees and even though my mobility was fine that day, I used my parking badge because POTS makes me highly prone to heat exhaustion and I really needed to limit my exposure to a non-climate controlled environment. I was dressed up for a party and I popped into Trader Joe's to pick up some snacks to bring. As I got back in my car I saw an older lady with visible mobility issues make her way toward me, signaling that she wanted to speak to me. I braced myself for what would come next. But what she said was, "When I saw you walk into the store I said to my daughter, look at that gorgeous woman! She looks like a storybook character, or a pin-up!" I seriously almost burst into tears.
I'm sure it confuses people when I'm standing around using my cane because of my balance issues, and then see someone I want to talk to and pick up my cane to scurry over to them. But as a new cane user, I've been really lucky so far. I'm sure it won't last, but I'm going to try to hold on to that memory of the lady at Trader Joe's.
So glad you put this vlog out there. I have been harassed so much, too many to count. All the same exact things. Also not only by strangers but Doctors and Nurses! Also all three of those things you said too young, pretty, or over weight. Every time I see a new doctor and tell them what all my illnesses or disabilities are I hear those same exact words and I'm going to be 46 next month and have 2 grandchildren. It's ridiculous! One time as I was slowly getting out off my car with my cane an older man came right up to my face cursing at me because I was too young to be disabled. When in fact he appeared in better shape than me. I use a cane and a rollater walker with a seat. I'm currently trying to get a power chair or scooter it's waiting for insurance approval. Sometimes I have really good days where I can walk without assistance but only for a short distance. So if I go somewhere that's not going to require much walking let's say the gas station or my pharmacy I won't park in handicap spot. If I go to a large store like Wal-Mart even on a good day I will park in a handicap spot walk in unassisted and then use the electric scooter. That's when people really go crazy. Having invisible illnesses is hard! I actually have 10 different diagnoses! We need more education to the public regarding Invisible Illnesses.
Oh I remember a story where an old lady took a piece of paper and wrote faker on it and put it on someone's car. Wanna know the twist. The person who owned said car made a tiktok where she listed many things that impacted her quality of life and the main one I can remember is that they only had 1 lung.
Thank you for this video, Annie! SO TRUE.
I get angry and disapproving looks and tuts before I get out my car because I’m young. They have no clue I’m severely disabled and sitting in an electric wheelchair until I get out. No one ever apologises.
There is far too much judgementalism and not nearly enough compassion these days. A "faker" would have to go to some lengthy extremes to go through the process of getting a decal or "pretending" to be disabled...for what? A parking space? My feeling is if tney can pull that off, maybe they deserve the spot anyway. And you are so right about a lot of disabilities being invisible...how rude do you have to be to question someone about something so personal anyway?
Seriously some people won't be happy until they see you without your legs... It's absolutely disgusting how some people like to stick their nose in other people's lives. It would almost make disabled people feel guilty or bad about trying to get better or stronger.
People need to get the hell off their high horse. If you haven't walked in someone else's shoes--just mind your own freaking business. #Live&LetLive
That is so terrible, thank you for clearing up a lot of this for many people that aren't familiar with these things. It is very good to broaden one's mind.
I treated the same way...I am 53 with severe heart problems. I am so tired of people treating me like i am a scammer when they find out I'm on disability. If I could work I would, I had a $75 grand a year job and only get $24,000 a year from SSDI. I had to sell everything I owned to make it while I waited to get approved.
If I ever get to the point of needing a disabled parking spot, and someone outright confronted me on it, I'd have half a mind to just pull out a party trick, dislocate a shoulder, and scream "do I look disabled enough to you NOW?! Oh god, it hurts so much !" Just fuck with 'em.
In reality I'd probably just end up walking away.
I'm a cane user. I recently started using it because my mobility has begun to deteriorate, but where I live it's the middle of the school year. I overheard my teachers gossiping about how they though I don't really need my mobility aid, students kicking over my cane to see if I fall over, the constant stares from literally everyone. It makes me so mad.
You can't tell if someone has a disability by looking at them....but you can tell what people are thinking when they look at you
17 with Eds and pots. I get harassed daily no matter what if I’m using my mobility aids or not. It’s really nerve racking because I have bad anxiety problems and random people yelling at me trigger panic attacks
This reminds me of the time when my mum had to go fetch a power scooter for her cousin because she was in too much pain to walk. People yelled the most horrible things at her as she drove the 200 meters from the management office to the bench we were sitting on. I can't even imagine how awful it would be to hear awful things from strangers every couple of meters in everyday life.
I get so annoyed when people park in the disabled parking and don't have a handicap. Yes maybe they forgot to put up their stickers, but I had an experience where was in the car with my step-grandparents (who admitted they didn't have a disability) and they parked in the handicap anyway because "it was more convenient." I didn't bring my handicap permit, but even if I did, its only for me to use. some of my family took it from me to borrow even though they didn't have a disability. Its my handicap permit and if you need your own then get your own (from a doctor. my first doctor actualy refused to give me one because "i didn't have a heart disease and I walked to his office." ) so to me its rude to just park there if you don't need it because it took two doctors (and two years actually) to get one.Just, even if there are more handicap parking available, don't park there, its extremely rude for those who are disabeled or need it even its temporarily.
Thank you so much for making this!! I had a friend in high school who couldn't walk very far or without chronic pain and anytime I went with him anywhere and he parked in a designated space with his card clearly displayed on his car, people would still leave nasty notes, glare at him or chase him down to yell at him, thinking he was some kid faking it or using his parents car because they saw him walking out of the car and he was a teenager. People really don't understand if they haven't bothered to educate themselves so thanks for making this easier for people to learn. I learn so much from your videos!
As someone with an "invisible disability" I'm thrilled that you made this video!!! I hope that ppl really think before they judge, but the reality is that too many ppl are too quick and uneducated to do that
I have Ehlers Danlos Syndrome, too. So obviously, I have chronic joint pain and my joints pop out and slide around. I get "accustomed" to pain and learn to not show it unless it's really severe pain, but I get really tired of it.
A private citizen is not entitled to my life story. And I get the "you're too young" excuse far too often. It was not my proudest moment when I flipped out on an older woman who verbally attacked me for "taking" her parking space (I was there first, signaling, and had my hanger up) and told her, "Well you're too old to be this stupid, because some people are born with disabilities!" I get so aggravated with people. >(
Yes! Yes! and Yes!!!!!!!! I hate when people just make assumptions & claim to be protecting the spaces for the "real" handicapped people. Trust me, if I was able to park any where else, I would. I would gladly trade my placard for being healthy any day!!!!!!
I just got diagnosed with fibromyalgia and hypermobility after 10+ years of "growing pains" that used to make me cry and pass out from the pain and a mile-long list of abnormal symptoms, only to be told "you should just sleep more" by rheumatologists. This is very validating, thank you! It sucks living with an invisible illness that can't be treated, let alone be tested for, so people constantly second-guess me. Who knows if my diagnosis is even 100% correct, but I still have to deal with "its all in your head" comments all the time and people thinking fibro patients don't "deserve" mobility aid.
omg i love this. i dont use disability parking but i do have an invisible disability and am siiiick of people assuming im faking or not taking me seriously
scary how this was a recommended video today. after reading this comment on Facebook by a nurse in the local hospital. (this is only part of the message. "but I have seen in the past people using them who quiet frankly obviously have no need for them ") So how can they tell I wonder?
Ambulatory wheelchair users exist. Meaning they use wheelchairs because they need to rest from serve pain. I have a genetic disorder that causes severe pain and to switch from different mobility aids throughout the week. I can still walk but on a bad pain day it will be hard
I am in end stage renal disease and have a handicapped placard so I can park closer to the store. I don't "look" sick but I am 43 days away from transplant (God willing) and would feel just awful if someone said anything to me about not deserving to park in that spot.
Dear People who judge others: I would gladly park in the spot furthest from any shop, park, building or whatever to be healthy again. To not have to beg someone for a lifesaving transplant and then worry about going bankrupt to pay for the medications I'll have to take the rest of my life so I don't lose the precious gift I was given. If you can get up out of bed every day without pain, nausea, cramping, being paralyzed, seizures, dizziness, loss of sight, missing limbs, weakness because of malnutrition due to illness and go do whatever you want that day instead of going to clinic, chemo, physical therapy, the psychiatrist, the hospital - be incredibly thankful and try having compassion for those of us who don't have those benefits. Some illnesses are invisible. To YOUR eyes. But for those of us living with them, sometimes it's all we can see.
This helped a lot
I've been in spaces with cane or without wheel chair especially work places where I haven't felt like admitting to being disabled. Or people thinking I'm too talkative and personable to be autistic.
I am 32 and I have late stage RA. I use a wheelchair daily. I work in retail as a manager of a Swarovski crystal store. I sometimes have to stand up to reach things or clean things etc. I get looks, questions, PRAYED OVER, mocked and pitied every single day. thank u for this video. I will be sharing it with everyone I know.
love and support
About being overweight, you shouldn’t judge them anyway. but people should know many people become overweight because of their disabilities.
My dad once got fined for parking in a handicap spot because my chair wasn't in the car when it was parked. Neither was one of us as we were obviously not using the car at the moment
What irks me is seeing kids playing on the motorized carts and then I need one and the battery is dead
Thanks for sharing!! More of us need to talk about this. This happens way to much!!
I can't handle light for long periods of time, due to my illness. I have to wear sunglasses so dark I can't see much, and, depending on the light and the day, I will often have to use a white cane for mobility. When conditions change, or the task I am trying to accomplish changes, the level of sight I get to use changes too. I am scared stiff that people will get all up in my face when I go from walking along with a cane in the bright street, to looking at price tags in a dimly lit shop. I am not faking, my disability is just different to what people assume when they see my mobility aid :'( No one has attacked me yet, but it is still a thought you have in the back of your mind. Sometimes I am too worried about this happening to use my cane, then either I jeopardize my health by letting in too much light and facing the consequences, or I jeopardize my safety crossing the street, or I put others in danger by walking into them or tripping over them.
Loved this video, thank you
I clicked on this video with a lot of skepticism because of the title, and honestly, I was pleasantly surprised. Thank you for voicing the things that have been on my mind for a really long time!
thank you for making this video, I go through the same thing every day with my scooter, thank you for standing up and saying that people with disabilities comes in many shapes,sizes ages and ablities
much love for what your doing 💕💕
I get disability and I have been called a leech before. It hurts me. I didnt choose my intellectual disability.
Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!! For this video. This is a major issue and more attention should be brought to it. I don't know how many times I have gotten the "you're to young to be disabled or dealing with that" from people on the bus and even my own boss. Anyway love your videos keep up the good work! 😀
I saw the title and was about to throw hands and then I opened the video and calmed down.
😂❤ the title is to lure in the ableists and then trick them into learning!
Wow, I guess I have privilege here as someone more obviously disabled (cerebral palsy). My parents and I have been guilty of judging people in sports cars in the past for parking in disabled spaces. Better to assume they're disabled than cause upset, right? Disabled people still can love sports cars!
I was told i was not disabled as the parking space clearly shows a wheelchair sign & i was on crutches have been spat at called a fake my car has been spat on & punched pushed over,told to take my crutches back to hospital & stop faking as soon as i walk people say your a faker as you say not all disabilities are oblivious.I was diagnosed at aged 19 & have the “your faking it” my entire life it seems we can’t go out went to a concert which if i was disabled then i wouldn’t be able to do,& please it would be great to chat as i have friends but none that understand & support is vital so if there is anyone out there who feels like me that your judged,have been verbally & physically attacked or other please reply as sick of having to prove my disability & why should i have to.🤬
Am in the UK
Just found your videos. Thank you for making this video!!! I have hEDS and my mobility changes greatly for day to do. I walk "normally," with a cane, with a walker, or use a wheelchair. If I use my chair, I must get up and stretch regularly or I'll end up in more pain. Just because I can't walk aalllll the way through the airport or museum doesn't mean I can't get up at all. 🙄 Ugh.
Thanks for including captions
I'm a security officer and I'm glad I saw your video before I confronted this lady parking in the handicap spot... Thank you.
Thank you for this. I'm invisibly disabled and this video made me tear up a bit. It's always nice to have a reminder that we aren't alone.