Hi, I don't really know where to start, but hey I joined this group to talk about my problems so I'll give it a try.
One of my biggest problems is being out in public. I absolutely hate it. No matter where I go, whether its shopping or having lunch in a restaurant, I feel I'm either being stared at or totally ignored. This stems from the fact that I'm in a wheelchair.
I've had family members tell me that I'm just imagining this, but I'm not stupid. I know when people stare or look away and pretend not to see me. This makes me feel lower than low. To make it even worse I often try to imagine what they are thinking & I always imagine the worst. It's like one problem leads to another & then another & then another. They just all pile up on me.
I don't want to be a social recluse but I can see that's where I'm headed. I sit home alot not because I'm afraid to go out but because I'm ashamed to. I'm ashamed of my disability. Now I feel like a hypocrite because just today I told someone to never be ashamed of their disability... Maybe I was just trying to encourage myself.