“But you don’t look sick”

[feministingforchange]

As an invisibly disabled person inspired by a post called “13 Reasons Why “You Don’t Look Sick/Disabled!” Is Not A Compliment” by @soooyeahanyway, I just want to say that I cannot wait until I no longer have to hear about (and pay for) how I “don’t look sick”.

Take the disabled seats on the metro/bus for example. 

I mean, nobody will EVER give up their seat on the metro for me and in fact, whenever I do manage to get a seat meant for the disabled (i.e., MEEEEEE) and I’m having a hard time, other visibly disabled or pregnant people will ask me to get up OR will stand near me and other ppl will give me the evil eye. 

SO even if I really REALLY need the seat, I will give it up.

But believe me, I don’t do it without making sure EVERYONE in the car hears me gripe very loudly about how I actually AM disabled and need the goddamn seat and that invisibly disabled people actually do exist on this fucking planet and that if people REALLY cared about us disabled folks they’d give the visibly disabled person their seat, regardless of whether or not they’re in the seat “meant for” the disabled. Not that that will ever happen for me (the invisibly disabled), but I care about my fellow disabled folks and it’s not their fault that the world is this way.

The moral of this story? 

No one (even the pregnant & visibly disabled!!!) should assume that ppl using the disabled seats are “abusing them” by using them without being sick/disabled. If someone you think isn’t disabled is in those seats, do all of us disabled folks a HUGE favour and STFU and let them sit there. I don’t care how healthy or abled you think they look! If they are using it, I’d rather risk that they don’t belong there then make someone move (or feel horrible) who needs the seat. 

TL;DR - STFU & MOVE ON!!!!!!!!!!

PLS READ & BOOST!!!

[lizardflip]

I get this on the bus everyday. Because I struggle with mobility in my legs I’d much prefer to use the disabled seating. After all that’s what it’s there for. But I never do because I hate the judgemental looks I get.

[feministingforchange]

Aw I totally know the feeling and I’m really sorry the world is this way. It’s definitely time to change that and let the ppl know that #InvisiblyDisabledPplExist. 

This January I will actually be diving back into my hashtag/post-it note education campaign I started in early December about the existence of invisibly disabled people. As I said in my OP:

It’s time to make the INvisible VISIBLE by proudly and publicly talking about our experiences as invisibly disabled people.

Despite popular belief and community infrastructures,  #InvisiblyDisabledPplExist. This ignorance and reduced community recognition and assistance can cause us lots of unnecessary difficulty, pain, and even death.

This means it’s time to start a movement to end the ignorance about what it “means” to be disabled.

Please use the hashtag #InvisiblyDisabledPplExist to not only make signs over public transit disabled seating and other areas, as mentioned in tweet 4 above.

We must also talk about our many many stories of being invisibly disabled in a world where the public doesn’t recognize our existence (like mine).

Please Tweet & Boost!!!

Here are two examples of what I’ve done so far (I still need to get better post-its & markers though):

Wanna help me? 💗⭐️🌹

“But you don’t look sick”

[feministingforchange]

As an invisibly disabled person inspired by a post called “13 Reasons Why “You Don’t Look Sick/Disabled!” Is Not A Compliment” by @soooyeahanyway, I just want to say that I cannot wait until I no longer have to hear about (and pay for) how I “don’t look sick”.

Take the disabled seats on the metro/bus for example. 

I mean, nobody will EVER give up their seat on the metro for me and in fact, whenever I do manage to get a seat meant for the disabled (i.e., MEEEEEE) and I’m having a hard time, other visibly disabled or pregnant people will ask me to get up OR will stand near me and other ppl will give me the evil eye. 

SO even if I really REALLY need the seat, I will give it up.

But believe me, I don’t do it without making sure EVERYONE in the car hears me gripe very loudly about how I actually AM disabled and need the goddamn seat and that invisibly disabled people actually do exist on this fucking planet and that if people REALLY cared about us disabled folks they’d give the visibly disabled person their seat, regardless of whether or not they’re in the seat “meant for” the disabled. Not that that will ever happen for me (the invisibly disabled), but I care about my fellow disabled folks and it’s not their fault that the world is this way.

The moral of this story? 

No one (even the pregnant & visibly disabled!!!) should assume that ppl using the disabled seats are “abusing them” by using them without being sick/disabled. If someone you think isn’t disabled is in those seats, do all of us disabled folks a HUGE favour and STFU and let them sit there. I don’t care how healthy or abled you think they look! If they are using it, I’d rather risk that they don’t belong there then make someone move (or feel horrible) who needs the seat. 

TL;DR - STFU & MOVE ON!!!!!!!!!!

PLS READ & BOOST!!!

[lizardflip]

I get this on the bus everyday. Because I struggle with mobility in my legs I’d much prefer to use the disabled seating. After all that’s what it’s there for. But I never do because I hate the judgemental looks I get.

[feministingforchange]

Aw I totally know the feeling and I’m really sorry the world is this way. It’s definitely time to change that and let the ppl know that #InvisiblyDisabledPplExist. 

This January I will actually be diving back into my hashtag/post-it note education campaign I started in early December about the existence of invisibly disabled people. As I said in my OP:

It’s time to make the INvisible VISIBLE by proudly and publicly talking about our experiences as invisibly disabled people.

Despite popular belief and community infrastructures,  #InvisiblyDisabledPplExist. This ignorance and reduced community recognition and assistance can cause us lots of unnecessary difficulty, pain, and even death.

This means it’s time to start a movement to end the ignorance about what it “means” to be disabled.

Please use the hashtag #InvisiblyDisabledPplExist to not only make signs over public transit disabled seating and other areas, as mentioned in tweet 4 above.

We must also talk about our many many stories of being invisibly disabled in a world where the public doesn’t recognize our existence (like mine).

Please Tweet & Boost!!!

Here are two examples of what I’ve done so far (I still need to get better post-its & markers though):

Wanna help me? 💗⭐️🌹

“But you don’t look sick”

[feministingforchange]

As an invisibly disabled person inspired by a post called “13 Reasons Why “You Don’t Look Sick/Disabled!” Is Not A Compliment” by @soooyeahanyway, I just want to say that I cannot wait until I no longer have to hear about (and pay for) how I “don’t look sick”.

Take the disabled seats on the metro/bus for example. 

I mean, nobody will EVER give up their seat on the metro for me and in fact, whenever I do manage to get a seat meant for the disabled (i.e., MEEEEEE) and I’m having a hard time, other visibly disabled or pregnant people will ask me to get up OR will stand near me and other ppl will give me the evil eye. 

SO even if I really REALLY need the seat, I will give it up.

But believe me, I don’t do it without making sure EVERYONE in the car hears me gripe very loudly about how I actually AM disabled and need the goddamn seat and that invisibly disabled people actually do exist on this fucking planet and that if people REALLY cared about us disabled folks they’d give the visibly disabled person their seat, regardless of whether or not they’re in the seat “meant for” the disabled. Not that that will ever happen for me (the invisibly disabled), but I care about my fellow disabled folks and it’s not their fault that the world is this way.

The moral of this story? 

No one (even the pregnant & visibly disabled!!!) should assume that ppl using the disabled seats are “abusing them” by using them without being sick/disabled. If someone you think isn’t disabled is in those seats, do all of us disabled folks a HUGE favour and STFU and let them sit there. I don’t care how healthy or abled you think they look! If they are using it, I’d rather risk that they don’t belong there then make someone move (or feel horrible) who needs the seat. 

TL;DR - STFU & MOVE ON!!!!!!!!!!

PLS READ & BOOST!!!

[lizardflip]

I get this on the bus everyday. Because I struggle with mobility in my legs I’d much prefer to use the disabled seating. After all that’s what it’s there for. But I never do because I hate the judgemental looks I get.

[forevrdreamingofbetterthings]

Aw I totally know the feeling and I’m really sorry the world is this way. It’s definitely time to change that and let the ppl know that #InvisiblyDisabledPplExist. 

This January I will actually be diving back into my hashtag/post-it note education campaign I started in early December about the existence of invisibly disabled people. As I said in my OP:

It’s time to make the INvisible VISIBLE by proudly and publicly talking about our experiences as invisibly disabled people.

Despite popular belief and community infrastructures,  #InvisiblyDisabledPplExist. This ignorance and reduced community recognition and assistance can cause us lots of unnecessary difficulty, pain, and even death.

This means it’s time to start a movement to end the ignorance about what it “means” to be disabled.

Please use the hashtag #InvisiblyDisabledPplExist to not only make signs over public transit disabled seating and other areas, as mentioned in tweet 4 above.

We must also talk about our many many stories of being invisibly disabled in a world where the public doesn’t recognize our existence (like mine).

Please Tweet & Boost!!!

Here are two examples of what I’ve done so far (I still need to get better post-its & markers though):

Wanna help me? 💗⭐️🌹

[feministingforchange]

@ourceremonies replied to your photoset “It’s time to make the INvisible VISIBLE by proudly and publicly…”

yoooo are u from montréal!!! seeing this makes my #invisiblydisabled ass feel better about needing to sit when i’m getting looks tbh thank you

you’re welcome, it’s my pleasure! and yes i am, i’m doing this for that EXACT reason tbh. i avoid using seats made for ppl like me because i want to avoid the stress, guilt, looks, and even actually being asked to move. 

but if these asshats actually gave a single shit about disabled folks (rather than just making themselves feel better) they’d offer their own goddamn seat rather than making someone move just bc they’re in the disabled seating but don’t “look” disabled. 

personally, I would MUCH rather risk the rare possibility that someone sitting in the disabled seat is using it w/o needing it than make someone who needs it move or feel embarrassed and bad about using a seat made specifically for their needs.

disability isn’t a particular “look” and the ppl of Montreal need to learn that, and fast

i’m actually trying to post as many post-its with the hashtag and an invitation to join the convo in as many relevant places as possible. i invite you and anyone else who uses public transit ANYWHERE to join me.

it’s a post-it education campaign under the hashtag #InvisiblyDisabledPplExist

also, please feel encouraged to tweet and blog about your experiences under this hashtag too!!!! good luck neighbour & fellow invisibly disabled person, i’m here if you wanna talk! 

[ourceremonies]

this is great, i'ma join in on this for sure

and if any fellow spoonies (and allies tbh) who use public transit wanna join in, share your experiences or just the hashtag #InvisiblyDisabledPplExist (esp ON public transit)!

[feministingforchange]

THANK YOU!!!!! #Solidarity 

[forevrdreamingofbetterthings]

Just to be clear @stephariffic, my argument is that invisibly disabled ppl should have unhostile access to the disabled seating on public transit too. I was NOT saying mentally ill ppl should have access to disabled parking. That’s what the anon said and I didn’t correct them bc I didn’t notice. I cannot exactly rule out the possibility that mental illness might require closer parking, but I don’t think it’s a thing? It’s certainly not what I am talking about anyway.

[feministingforchange]

@ourceremonies replied to your photoset “It’s time to make the INvisible VISIBLE by proudly and publicly…”

yoooo are u from montréal!!! seeing this makes my #invisiblydisabled ass feel better about needing to sit when i’m getting looks tbh thank you

you’re welcome, it’s my pleasure! and yes i am, i’m doing this for that EXACT reason tbh. i avoid using seats made for ppl like me because i want to avoid the stress, guilt, looks, and even actually being asked to move. 

but if these asshats actually gave a single shit about disabled folks (rather than just making themselves feel better) they’d offer their own goddamn seat rather than making someone move just bc they’re in the disabled seating but don’t “look” disabled. 

personally, I would MUCH rather risk the rare possibility that someone sitting in the disabled seat is using it w/o needing it than make someone who needs it move or feel embarrassed and bad about using a seat made specifically for their needs.

disability isn’t a particular “look” and the ppl of Montreal need to learn that, and fast

i’m actually trying to post as many post-its with the hashtag and an invitation to join the convo in as many relevant places as possible. i invite you and anyone else who uses public transit ANYWHERE to join me.

it’s a post-it education campaign under the hashtag #InvisiblyDisabledPplExist

also, please feel encouraged to tweet and blog about your experiences under this hashtag too!!!! good luck neighbour & fellow invisibly disabled person, i’m here if you wanna talk! 

[ourceremonies]

this is great, i'ma join in on this for sure

and if any fellow spoonies (and allies tbh) who use public transit wanna join in, share your experiences or just the hashtag #InvisiblyDisabledPplExist (esp ON public transit)!

[forevrdreamingofbetterthings]

THANK YOU!!!!! #Solidarity