7.10.2011

But you LOOK good

Have you ever looked at someone and thought to yourself, how are they sick
They "look fine"
or
"I just saw them yesterday, and they were having a good time"


- Take a look at this situation
Does it sound familiar...
You pull up at a grocery store, supermarket, or a local mall and come across someone who uses a handicap parking pass that doesn't look like they have a disability. Thoughts roll through your mind and frustration may set in. You may even shoot them a dirty, snotty look or take it a little farther and speak your mind. This is something that happens more often than you may believe.

Now, what if that person really needed that spot. In order for some individuals just to have enough energy to shop at the store, (with or without a wheelchair) they need that closer parking space. Sometimes people can't walk more than a mere couple of feet without getting extremely light-headed and pass out. Maybe the extreme heat/cold is too much for their bodies and they must be at the closest possible location to the entryway.

It is important that people think twice before they make quick judgments, as you never know what is happening inside another persons life. Invisible disabilities are frustrating. The pain is real, the symptoms can be debilitating, but it can feel like no one understands (or believes you)...


SO
How do you help someone understand what you go through?
..why you have to cancel so many plans.
...why you can't go out all the time
...& all the many "why's"

The following video is known as "The Spoon Theory" written by Christine Miserandino
Christine has Lupus, but this explanation is a great portrayal for any illness/disease, especially EDS and POTS.

If you would like a text/pdf version of "The Spoon Theory" to share with others, click here

1 comment:

  1. Thank you so much for posting this Erin! That has happened to me before (the first time I used the parking sticker!) and I still haven't really gotten over the thoughtless note a stranger left on my windshield accusing me of being lazy. I often avoid places and situations where there's too much walking or standing and having the handicapped parking sticker has really enabled me to still attend some of those places so I am thankful I have it to use.

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