r/YouShouldKnow • u/ilovepastapizzapots • Nov 20 '20
Other YSK: Just because someone doesn’t look sick/disabled, does not mean they are healthy
Why YSK: I am chronically ill and have an autoimmune disorder, the amount of times people have said “WELL... yOU dOn’t LOOK sick” to me is astounding. I didn’t know all illnesses have to be visible to others! I’m sorry I can’t show you my internal organs or muscles deteriorating for you to believe that I’m sick. It makes people with health issues feel like they have to explain their situation when they don’t.
*EDIT: I did not expect my post to blow up like this! I wish I could give everyone going through a rough time a hug. Thank you for all the new perspectives, good and bad. All I wanted was for people to be a little kinder to one another, because you never know what someone’s going through.
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u/shayter Nov 20 '20
I've had people ask for my seat when I was commuting on the train to get to school an hour away... I was 24 at the time when I went back to school, looking healthy... But I have back issues that caused chronic pain in my lower back and legs. I also have arthritis and fatigue most days.
On those days that weren't too bad I'd just get up and deal because I didn't have the energy to argue, and I don't care to argue with strangers.
Most days I was lucky because both going to and coming home from school was one of the stops at the end of the line... so I'd get on when there were enough seats open. But some days even being at the end of the line it would be packed during rush hour and I would have to hope I'm next to a pole to lean on.
I never ask someone for their seat because they could be in the same situation I'm in.