I can barely walk most days, but although my DS calls me Mrs C I suppose I look somewhat normal when I put on my makeup, a dress and go to the Dr, and I am 51 but was never a sun Godess and have long blonde hair, don't have the deep wrinkles etched in my face like some people do that spend a lot of time in the sun, clean up nicely, look younger (so I have been told), now wear a 10-12 and wear junior style clothing because it is what I like and anyway when I came out of Dr's office I went to grocery store since our pantry is bare, was afraid if I did not go in we would not eat, so I pulled into a handicap spot (legally with my card in window, was glared at by at least 4 older couples since I must have taken their spot (I freq fall) so I am afraid to park to far away, anyway they were glaring at me, one acted like they were going to run me down, and when I got to the car and began to unload the groceries I saw a wad of gum stuck to my window and I know it had to be one of those older mad people since they were the only ones around and this is not happy with me at all and I know this was no paranoia going on! I used to park as far away as I could until I got tired of being scraped off the pavement! Just because I don't have braces or a cast I am a fake?? I don't understand why people have to be so mean?? If they looked a little closer they would see how frail I am!! It made me angry and hurt that they judge us without knowing the facts

YA PEOPLE CAN BE JERKS.....sorry cap locks


I get the.....But you look all right tho ...thingee all the time...At first I got mad....Then the brains of the operation....My wife says take it as a compliment.....

I hope things go better for you..

I hear ya, I am about to turn 39...and due to balance and weakness...as I have something neurological but not figured out yet with a dx...but my pcp gave me a temporary HC card....to use when needed....in the 6 months maybe only used 6 times....

only as if I went to store, and felt dizzy once there, or felt like my legs werent working well...so better to not fall....

anyhow got the looks....take it as a compliment is a good idea....and hey if stare too much...start to stumble about in your walk..hehehee hugss,sarah

That's a very good question, Junie, and I would love to have the answer to it. When I became ill I had no idea of the controversy it would cause with family members and friends, and even total strangers who know nothing about me. My father, brother, and one of my sisters thought I had to be exaggerating about the pain, since I looked so normal and well. When I finally had to close down my business and go on disability after two years, then people I hardly knew began to give me strange looks in the grocery store. This is a small town, and everyone knows everyone else.

But the worst of all was my wife. We had a good relationship, and three very lovely children when I got sick. For the first year she was very supportive and helpful, but then I think it occurred to her that if I couldn't do as much as I used to, then she would have to do more. It took her a while, but she finally asked me to leave. I would never have believed that members of my own family, and especially my spouse, would ever doubt me that way. I had held a steady job since I was sixteen years old, and never asked for a bit of help from anyone until I absolutely had to.

I'm sure that there are hundreds of others on the site who have their own tale of hurt and discrimination. It took a long time for people to learn that it's wrong to judge someone based on their visible race and color, so it'll probably take a lot longer for people to learn not to judge the inside either. I'm sorry that you had to go through that demeaning incident, and hope that it never happens to you again.

With anything, any time you are different from the masses, you become open game to harrass, put-down and be talked about. It's the nature of those who have never experienced such things....put themselves on a thrown and look down upon those who don't have such a blessing to have good health.

Hey Junie~ Well, doesn't that just show the mentality of the person who placed the gum on your window? I understand what you are saying. Last night I went to meet up w/4 HS friends. One of them is visiting from AZ and had a huge motorhome that we met at.

They wanted to go outside and have a campfire and I blurted out NO! My friends' couldn't believe that ME, the one who was always game for anything, could not bear the thought of going outside in the sweltering heat/high humidity and sit by the fire. I didn't look like I had anything wrong w/me, so they looked at me questionable.

I had to tell them my abbreviated story and they were totally understanding, but I suddenly felt so vulnerable. They were totally cool w/it then and we ended up having a great "air conditioned" visit.

I'm still ME, just a little damaged. So, don't let the judgement of other's make you feel less of a person. We do that to ourselves enough. Consider the immaturity of the SENIOR citizen who did that to you; hold your head high and park where you want.

You don't have to defend your illness or limitations to anyone, let alone a few jerks.

Smile Junie~ You are cared about here.

Junie, I'm with you on the uneasiness of parking where we need to. I get the looks everytime I leave my car or return to it. If they had to walk just a few steps inside our bodies they would be begging to get out.

My Olhipie uses a wheel-chair and power-chair...scooter, people will often say I wish I had a scooter and he says I wish I had legs that I could walk in...oops

Thank you everyone for being here for me again with words that are wise and comfort and I too have become the family outcast, rarely am I invited over anymore since I get up between 4-6 am everyday in pain so I have to be home by 8 because I am no longer Wonder Woman therefore I am a drag! Idealist I am so sorry your wife did that to you but I understand, Dh gives me a hard time and just yesterday I asked him if there were anything at all about me he liked and did he want me to leave because I don't want to be anywhere I am not wanted! Of course he gave me one of his famous pity party time lectures and left the room! It is her loss just as it will be dh's if he pushes me to far! I did tell one of the seniors that I know how she felt (I think she got it since I am not called Mrs C for nothing)! The hell of it is I never know when I am going to fall and no cane will stop me, my legs go numb and SPLAT, down I go, and my sweet hubby blames me for my falls, claims I don't watch where I am going,GRRRRrrr!!! I don't want anyone thinking I start a thread and leave it forever because I am selfish, last night after I wrote this we lost our power until this morning and it was hot, sticky and there is candle wax all over, plus my short term memory is dead and many times I forgot I wrote one until I happen to stumble over it!
Next time I think I will speak up, since coming back here I am getting better and I have always been outspoken, so i guess it is safe to say "The ***** Is Back" I am grateful for each and everyone of you and please don't take it personal if I don't call you by name each time< my laptop is too slow to jump back and forth to get the names and memory is shot