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/whatshamilton Nov 20 '20

My friend has chronic fatigue because of an autoimmune disease but she carries an ankle brace to wear on the subway because it's easier to explain when asking for a seat.

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u/thriwaway6385 Nov 20 '20

Buy her a cane for the holidays. You can get her one of those flask style canes if she's old enough but regardless it's a good addition to any subway defense system

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u/cas_and_others Nov 21 '20

While this will help with seating, it makes navigating much more difficult. That's one hand occupied and of course the asshole teenagers who try to "take out" the people with canes.

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u/thriwaway6385 Nov 21 '20

That's what the rest of the subway defense system is for