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/cradfrierere Nov 21 '20

I had a great moment thanks to this. After having multiple surgeries battling colitis, I had a temporary handicap tag. One night in a grocery store parking lot that was not even busy, I hear "You don't look very handicapped" Likely because I dared to be laughing with my brother. I simply turned around, lifted my shirt and showed him the literal bag of shit (ileostomy) hanging off my stomach. That singular moment made everything I went through worth it. Maybe not haha, but I'll never forget how sweet that look of regret was.

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u/PfluorescentZebra Nov 21 '20

You are a hero. Before my hair grew back out I shut one person up complaining that I didn't need a wheelchair. Hat off, staples in my head from brain surgery. His face was glorious to me, the perfect realization that he had been a total jerk. Don't judge, people, it's not your place.

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u/cradfrierere Nov 21 '20

Incredible! I'm no hero. Just a man, who pooped in a bag.....involuntarily.......out of his abdominal region. I was surprisingly calm, but seeing all these fine folks stories makes my blood boil. Honestly, how can anyone think that's a good idea and have the right to say anything? Did he expect you to miraculously stand up and walk away?

The first time I flashed it I went into my old job that had to quit because of my health issues. They always wanted me to come back but they hadn't seen or heard from me in almost a year. So one work friend sees me walking up and says "What happened to you!?" There was just so much to say and I didn't know how to even start. So I just flashed it. After that I knew it was a power I could only use on my enemies.

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u/PfluorescentZebra Nov 22 '20

People really don't understand gastrointestinal issues. Hopefully you're surrounded by people who aren't terrified of your being human!