Hey Silent Void,
Listen, your right
people do judge you being
on disability. I wish I could
be optimistic on that one.
But its true.
I feel the reason people do this could be:
These people are resentful, in their mindset these folks might be thinking
"Here I have to work & this person doesn't have to"
Or
"Why don't these people on disability get out & find a job"?
And, I feel that these same folks? Just don't have a clue about our situations
which vary from each individual disabled person.
Speaking from my experience? I've had many jobs and from looking back on what I've experienced, I wasn't working out or I wasn't a real good fit.
And, the folks I worked with to include former supervisors knew somewhere in their minds that there was something missing about me, and they felt real uncomfortable dealing with how I came across or whatever.
So I wouldn't last long.
On jobs that I did last on? Sooner or later the stress would really get to me & I would just lose it.
For example during a grueling 8hr shift at a drycleaners I used to work at I was working once a week every week without ANY break whatsoever.
So one day after having all these customer clothes orders I just started banging with my fists on the counter, then tried to punch the computer.
Basically what the good majority of folks don't understand? Is that the disability benefits we are on aren't just awarded at random a lot of thought & decision making go into awarding any one person disability. Its thoroughly investigated.
For me? I had went before a JUDGE when it came to making that final decision & even he said that it was clear that I needed to be on it. To me that said a lot, because Judges are a real tough bunch to convince of anything and they are not shy to tell you about yourself. I'm sure you watch TV fiction or non fiction, Judges can see through the B.S.
So, you'll just have to roll with the punches.
And you may want to keep that your on disability to yourself.
What I usually say to people (and since I'm isolated it hasn't been an issue)
You can say I'm in school fulltime & I volunteer or something like that.
If you want to.
In these economic times its not unusual to be in school.
Its up to you.
I mean if it comes up in conversation or your meeting someone new.
Hey you never know it could happen.
I'm not encouraging you to lie, but sometimes one might need to spin a positive story based on whats going on in your life to add so that your not stigmatized.
If that makes any sense.
I'm preparing to go to school in the Fall.
I'm sorry that the Tax person made you feel awful about yourself.
That person was just ignorant.
Cause no one should judge another person!
As long as were good people, and not hurting someone?
There should never be any room for being judgemental.
Unfortunately other people will form a negative opinion about you
no matter what.
It happens to just about everyone out here in the World.
Even to the rich & famous don't escape this.
So, just work on your self esteem.
Don't care what others think.
It's THEIR problem & not yours.
I hope this helps.