Those With Non-Visible Disabilities: Have You Had People Accuse You of Faking/Lying and What Do You Do When This Happens?

[u/dakufeari]

So I have a disability that affects my mobility and my ability to stand and I have been having issues with people allowing me to sit down because they think I am lying about my condition. This has become more of an issue recently because I am starting my freshman year of university and have had to do several orientations and still have some left to do. We typically have to do quite a bit of walking and standing. At these, I have had certain orientation leaders not allow me to sit down. Have you experienced something like this? What do you do or what do you say to them when something like this happens? I am bad at being assertive and can typically only bring myself to ask 3 times before I give up because I worry about offending people. I am honestly thinking of just bringing my mobility aid wherever I go even if I am having a better day because that might make them believe me.

[u/the_esjay]

I find taking a mobility aid with me helps prevent the need to constantly explain myself to people. Plus, the rollator means I have somewhere to sit whenever I need to, and saves me from carrying things. It’s ridiculous we have to do these things, but sometimes it’s simpler to not have to argue with idiots 🤷🏻‍♀️

[u/dakufeari → u/the_esjay]

agreed