Hidden Disabilities Time To Fight Back

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I was wondering if anyone has a hidden disability on the forum ? Over the course of the last few years I have been subject to a tirade of abuse and discrimination just because people cannot see my disability. Its about time people with HD's opened up a frank debate on the issues faced by thousands of people in this country. What are you experiences of everyday life with a hidden disability? I'm personally fed up to the high teeth of peoples ignorance and the government are doing little to address these issues as well .
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There is nothing worse than being challenged by some idiot who doesn't know what they're talking about.
A classic one is york university library where everyone else gets to go through an automatic door but If you use the disabled parking bays you have to ask for 'permission' to enter or exit (a bit liked the 'coloured' entrances in 1950's america) often if you don't look ill enough they make you wait, I've been made to stand for 5 minutes whilst an assistant gave me evils through the glass and then challenged me when I was finally allowed through. Things have got better since I challenged her but
it made me very reluctant to use the library again.
Disability parking bays ..... a friend of mine had the *best* comment I've heard yet. She is in her 30's and has hidden illnesses. They pulled up into the bay and before having time to reach for her badge, an elderly gent opened the drivers door (she's the passenger) to begin a lecture on mis-use of disabled facilities. Somewhat dumb-founded by this and not getting a chance to get a word on, she casually picked up her badge and held it up photo facing him (not nastily) as he continued his tirade. The gent faltered and spluttered before sayig in meeker tones ... "but you're too young to be disabled". I've even been road-raged by an elderly person for a bay. I was waiting for the person to leave it, indicator flashing my intention but as soon as they pulled clear, the other driver whipped into it, glaring at me as he did so.
I am small, have various things going on in my body and my mobility is affected. I was forever being bumped into so I took to using a walking stick as much for need of it as a way to let people know I have problems. It helps a lot though it's surprising how many times I still get clattered into.
The harder one is being deaf. I've lost count of the amount of times I've been hung up on in phone calls when asking the caller to talking slower and clearly as I'm hearing impared/deaf. Also, strangers tend to think I'm joking when asking them to repeat what they've said. Either that, or they treat you as if you are stupid, ignorant and thick.
The best, though, was just yesterday when I used a different train station to my normal one. A member of staff, who happened to be walking across the car park, stopped me from going into the disabled bay - he waved his arms to let me know it was a 'no-no' and pointed me to the main body of the car park. I smiled sweetly (through gritted teeth) and carried on, at which point he then shouted to tell me to go through to the main car park, that this was a disabled bay and I couldn't park there... I carried on anyway and parked up. He then stormed over to the car, still shouting at me, at which point I opened the window and thrust my card in his face. As with Bluedog's friend, he was most apologetic but, as I told him, the damage had been done - as a woman on her own, I found his bullying attitude unacceptable. I asked for his name, which he did give me - I'm seriously thinking about making a formal complaint....
Grrrrrr :mad: Drives me mad!!!
:hello:
There is not enough understanding of Autism in this day and age.
There was a lovely couple on BBC news last week who are campaigning for more understanding on autism and what parents of autistic children have to go through.
It's a shame that judgemental idiots cause so many problems with stigma, etc. could feel sorry for them otherwise, they must miss out on knowing and loving such a rich and wide variety of the wonderful individuals in our society.
I do not want a blue badge as I do not think we need one, however, I would like to be able to apply for a badge for the window for the supermarket so I can park closer as when we go to Tesco we have to park miles away and it is hard pushing the trolley while holding onto my son as he runs off if he is not strapped into the trolley. I just do not take him out too much, but it would be nice to know I could do this.
xx Mama to a gorgeous Cranio Baby xx