But You Don’t Look Disabled
@Michellekidwell (29260)
Sonora, California
October 20, 2018 4:50am CST
One of the stupidest comments I have received is having someone tell me ”But You Don’t Look Disabled.”
What exactly does a disabled person look like? Is there some kind of special uniform? Do we wear a sign that says ”Hey, I'm disabled!”
Of course not those with disabilities are as diverse as anyone else, and two people with the same disability are not going to be a cookie cutter mold of one another.
”But you don't look dissbled..”
Exactly how am I supposed to look lol!
8 people like this
7 responses
@indexer (4852)
• Leicester, England
20 Oct 18
Absolutely! This is a response that many people in the UK get when they are accused of misusing their parking permit blue badge. As you know, disability can take many forms, such as being unable to walk more than a short distance before becoming exhausted.
2 people like this
@Michellekidwell (29260)
• Sonora, California
20 Oct 18
I’ve experienced that kind of prejudice before just because a disability isn’t visible doesn’t mean a person doesn’t have it! I’ve been on the receiving end of this kind of judgment and it just goes to show how uneducated some are on the subject!
1 person likes this
@indexer (4852)
• Leicester, England
20 Oct 18
@Michellekidwell I know we don't agree about everything, but on this topic I`m with you all the way - all power to your elbow, as we say in the UK!
1 person likes this
@Michellekidwell (29260)
• Sonora, California
20 Oct 18
@indexer I am glad we found some common ground!
@Michellekidwell (29260)
• Sonora, California
21 Oct 18
There are those who look normal but are disabled I have physical disabilities but along with that my lungs function below normal and I have never smoked so you never know!
1 person likes this
@just4him (305367)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
27 Oct 18
@Michellekidwell I'm sorry your lungs aren't functioning well. Do you use oxygen?
1 person likes this
@Michellekidwell (29260)
• Sonora, California
28 Oct 18
@just4him Thank goodness, no just an inhaler!
1 person likes this
@xstitcher (30242)
• Petaluma, California
21 Oct 18
People often blurt out things that show that they obviously understand nothing about what another person deals with. :( I have experienced it myself.
1 person likes this
@Michellekidwell (29260)
• Sonora, California
20 Oct 18
I don’t generally start an argument especially not with a person in authority but as a writer I have an obligation I believe to educate!
@Michellekidwell (29260)
• Sonora, California
20 Oct 18
Not all physical defects are immediately noticeable either! But you could be right!
1 person likes this
@Hannihar (129371)
• Israel
22 Oct 18
@Michellekidwell
I understand you completely. After I explain to someone what is wrong with me they then ignore that and tell me to have good health. I find people do not bother to ask how one is. They just assume they are ok. They do not know what is going on inside of them. I have two injured shoulders and in the winter I tend to get bronchitis from my chronic rhinitis which there is no cure for. Before getting an air purifier I had trouble sleeping and falling asleep since having one I can sleep much better. There are times I cough myself to sleep but then when it stops I sleep. Yes, one does not know looking at some people unless you can see their disability that they have one. I have a mobility scooter and someone I know asked if I was ok and I told her I bought it for my injured shoulders.
