Why are Non Visible Disabilities so poorly treated/Judged , by the general public.

Middleton

Hi..
Though i know some of the reasons behind such behaviour (People looking you up and down,assessing you!  and they're often quite happy, for you to see them do it)

Ive noticed these occurrences ,seem to be on the rise.(No i have not done a Callup pole )
But ive experienced peoples brazen regard, towards people with blue badges etc..and other related assistance the disabled receive .
Just a few examples, like myself would be  m.s along with Spinal cervical stenosis.

Just curious on other peoples takes!


ps, not sure which category to place this in.

Alex_Alumni

Hello there @Middleton and what a great discussion topic, thanks for posting I can certainly relate to experiencing poor attitudes from others, both when using my wheelchair, and when on my feet. 

I've moved your thread over into our Disability Rights and Campaigning category, where it might be easier for members to share their thoughts.

When people aren't fully aware of invisible impairments, or conditions which might not be obvious at first glance, they can often make assumptions about what we can or can't do.

What do you think has prompted the rise in occurrences?

Cartini

The first module of my degree when I was going to study psychology (but subsequently changed to IT) had 3 themes:

Public and private

Local and global

Representation and reality

Unfortunately those with invisible "challenges" fall under representation and reality.  The representation is that there is nothing wrong with you therefore you are fraudulently using a Blue Badge; the reality is / may be that every move is horrendously painful / other people scare you / the outside world overwhelms you.

I`d like to say it`s ignorance, but invisible disabilities are being highlighted more and more in newspapers and on television therefore it can only be narrow-minded jealousy of the goons who give those with invisible challenges grief.

Rainie1

Why is change so slow for hidden disabilities 
Why does public show contempt 

Tori_Scope

Those are two good questions @rainie1 Why do you think it might be the case? 

Rainie1

Thank you Tori Scope
I wish I had answer 
Lack of interest ?
Ignorance ?
Lack of communication and understanding by media and Government impacts our cause ?

creamcrackered

Hi, I have an invisible illness. No-one has ever questioned me about my blue badge or me using the disabled toilet. I have had glances but I assume it's because my car is old and exhaust is blown lol thats what i tell myself. If they did approach me I'd try and educate them or I'd like to think i would, depends how aggressive they'd be. I have a Sunflower lanyard but only used it once as I feel like I'm advertising me being disabled when it's no one's business. Some people don't know what a Sunflower lanyard is either so it's not really showing anything and those that do should know not to judge any individual any way.
I have a psychology degree. People do judge others on appearance it's natural survival instinct to weigh up to see if we're at threat only these days it comes out of lack of experience of illness and disabilities out there. Basically people's sense of self worth is threatened when they see us getting a space closer to a store or free parking and even a better car than theirs as they presume it's from being on benefits. Add in the fact that many believe we're all benefit scroungers and have never worked. People don't know of the real struggles behind the scenes and that we'd rather have our health and non of the disability 'perks' (I know they not actually perks but can be seen as that by Joe public)
Just my take. Hope that makes sense?