Invisible Disabilities

I completely agree... I was in line at the post office not too long ago, and had to stand in line, clearly leaning on my cane... and I waited for about 25 minutes while others went about sending a dozen parcels, one by one, in slow motion it seems.

the staff saw me and other customers saw me but nobody offered me any assistance or their place ahead in line or at the counter.

I guess I still look ok and too young to be in pain while standing in line....

well, that's just my 2 cents and I aim to avoid lineups since then... I would prefer to walk away than feel such pain in my legs and feet again.

i walk with a cane i made myself, and while i do get people i know, who know i have ms, asking about it, i wish that people who didn't know why i was staggering, dragging my foot along, would just ask. they can ask nicely, but i'd rather they ask instead of wonder to themselves, "what's wrong with him?"

I can relate to your comment about shopping, when I do go, my husband comes with, I like to use his arm, but retailers find that filling the aisles with displays is helpful to them.

I hate that!!!

I have to drop his arm, and maybe lose my balance.

*sigh*

There are many individuals with invisible disabilities! And the degrees differs! Although I am legally blind and have a service dog, I also have other disabilities that causes me issues if standing too long! Unfortunately there isn't always a place in the store fronts to allow the elderly and people with disabilities to sit especially if they use what is called share a ride programme. These programmes are great however the timing isn't always as they could take an hour or two to pick you up. Especially when it comes to doctors appointments and you have what is called a will call. You must be at the front of the buildings able to see them pull up as they are only allowed to wait for 5 minutes. If you are not where they see you then forget it!  I've been an advacate for such a long time trying to get stores to at least have some sitting area's so we could sit and wait for our rides. Some will accommodate while others do not. Why they do not I cannot commprehend this. It's not like a massive amount of seats just a few is all that is needed and it doesn't have to be outdoors either.

animalsspeak.org

I know what you mean about people either thinking that you do not really appear handicaped because you look so young.  And disablities are only for the elderly.

When I was able to still shop on my own before I finally broke down and started using a cane.   I was at the checkout counter holding onto the cart with one hand for support and the other hand was hanging onto the countertop.   There was a couple behind me in their late 60's.   All of a sudden, he starts shoving his empty cart past mine while the clerk was still checking my purchase through.  Well,  of course, there was not enough room for the cart to pass so he took it upon himself to grab my cart and start to pull it away from me.  I looked behind me at his wife and she could care less what he was doing.  I looked at him and said " Excuse me Sir,  I am using that, " I could not finish my sentence because he yelled at me " I am going to give it back to you ".

It was the first time I had spoke up, I looked at the clerk and told her " I have difficulty with walking and standing for long periods of time and could have fallen when he started taking that cart away from me"

Never the less, I always start to shake when there are people who cause confrontations, which, makes me not able to move one step for fear of falling because of the weakness of my legs.

I now take an escort with me whenever I am to go out into public.  My daughter is really good at giving the evil eye to people who are disrespecting her mama.   I also stick my cane high enough in the cart so that people can see it.

Blythe