Tired of older people harassing me about my disability

My Dad went through the same thing, and he was in his thirties I think. Bad back, cane, handicapped parking. We'd get so many looks that eventually my mother would ask to park elsewhere to avoid the glares which didn't work out well for him for obvious reasons.

I only understand up to a point because I'd be the one helping him out, pick things up, get around. Like if he ever dropped something like keys, a pen, I'd have to pick them up or he'd struggle and hurt himself.

If there's any advice I could think of, you don't have to prove anything to them. It's sad that certain elderly think they're the only people who can obtain a legal parking permit. Given it's been more than ten years since he's been hurt, all you can do is hold your head up and ignore them.

( I do admit my father got so angry once with this one couple, he grabbed the little sign thing and waved it around. I highly suggest you don't do this, but hope you might get a chuckle out of it. )

You gotta quit looking so approachable. Dont look at people; dont respond to them. Dont give them an opening. If you havent been properly introduced, why are you talking with them? I would give them an etiquette lesson - "oh im sorry, i thought i recognized you from church. But everybody there knows what im dealing with and is praying for me. " that should shut their traps. Man i am a sarcastic b!

I'm sorry that you were put through that. Unfortunately, a lot of us forget that being younger doesn't guarantee a life of peaches and cream.Still, there is no excuse for someone to be mean and nasty like that. Life is hard already at any age, and when you are disabled and you get people treating you like dirt over it, that doesn't help. I'm in my 50's and I still get people, like my step-mother, telling me that I'm too young to feel tired! I asked her one time how old a person was supposed to be before they were allowed to feel tired.

Sometimes, people just get mean and nasty to people, no matter how "approachable" they are. I've had people get right in my face about something when I was minding my own business.

I have to say that when I was healthy I would sometimes question some people's "disability." Thankfully I never verbally expressed my feelings. I was always taught to be civil and courteous, which sadly are traits missing from society today. I get those looks and questions because I get out of a jacked up truck and usually walk without a cane. But none these people know I wear leg braces, or see the reason I park in the wider handicap spaces because I have to open my truck door all the way to get in, which is impossible in normal parking spots.. I wish I could afford a more appropriate vehicle. So for now I just smile, hold my tongue, and try my best to ignore these losers.

Oh my gosh that is so horrible. I can't believe that lady took your cane!! I'm with the others who said charge her with assault. I mean, she seriously injured you with her self-righteous stupidity!
My husband is 35 and in a wheelchair because of severe rheumatoid arthritis, and he gets a lot of dirty looks when we are out and about in town. Like people think he's a lazy bum who wants attention. Honestly, my own dad doesn't believe he's disabled. He's actually yelled at him to get up and walk and hurled so many other abuses at him.
People are stupid. Hugs to you!

oh no i am so sorry my brother in law sufferes he is bedridden he can get up with a cane just to use the bath

Just last week as I was entering the post office, with my service dog mind you, a law enforcement officer who was also entering, stopped me. He asked if I had a hang tag. I stammered at first and then remembered, "I have a license plate." He looked equally taken aback and then said, nicely, " Oh Okay." Of course I told him thanks for checking. But, really? He could have just walked over to the car and checked it out instead of bothering me.

I have put an international orange vest on my doggie now. It was tough at the end of the summer but okay heat-wise now. So it takes me a bit longer and more difficultly to "dress" him to go out...as the vest goes under his orange harness. I clip on "ID" that has both our names, stating he and I are both trained, and also with the ADA statement...and a Do Not Pet tag, and a patch that says he's a service dog (in training).

I learned that FL law has a note about being able to identify a service dog from afar when it (they are) crossing a street. ...FL has a pedestrian law that they have the right of way (even if jaywalking)...but perhaps IF they happen to run over a disabled person who has a clearly identified (from afar) service dog THEN the penalty is harsher or something????

I'm old now...but I was disabled at 34. It's been a long haul journey and I am glad it's almost over. But last week someone said, again, "But you don't look disabled!" !!!!!

Believe in Him or not --- GOD LOVES YOU!

Want to share your Christian faith? Click HERE

Are you SERIOUS? That is insane!! I feel for you. I love my rollator and get "looks" and I'm 52!

What is, is. Some people are disabled, some people are ignorant. Disabled people must work hard to live relatively normal lives. Ignorant people must be exposed to unnaceptably slow and disfunctional disabled people as often as possible in order to develop empathy and understanding and gradully be alleviated of their ignorance. You are doing these folks a favour by taking the time to interact with them and helping them evolve!

Woman with "invisible disability" harassed for using handicap spot - Sun Sentinel

^^
I saw that article today and just silently sighed and resigned myself to the fact that many able bodied people see no problem in taking up a disabled parking spot for just a "second" but will willingly attack truly disabled people for using the spots for their purpose.

I stopped educating people, I realized far too late it's not my job, that google exists, and I am just trying to function physically.

What a freaking b****. I'm so sorry you had to go through that. I wish I could whack whoever took your cane away over the head. I hear you though. I'm 30 and have a disabled parking sticker and I get nasty looks and comments all the time. I try to ignore them, but it's hard. Sometimes I end up parking in "normal" spots just because I don't want to deal with it and I end up paying for it. I for the most part do okay just walking and I walk for exercise, but if I have stuff to carry, it screws with my balance (I have brainstem damage) and I end up falling if I have far to go so I think that makes it worse because I don't look like I have a problem when I'm walking into a store...

Yes, your life is difficult enough without going through the scrutiny about your disability. It is ageist, most people see a disability and couple that with age. So, when you are not old they think that you don't have a disability. You don't have to explain yourself to anyone, just remember that....

Best wishes

I have MS and an invisible disability.

I thought of this thread as soon as I saw this. It is annoying, to say the least, when someone presumes to know more than my doctors.

Love that Jaynedough! Thank you for sharing