This kind of thing has happened to me on several occasions and I always found it unsettling. I have to share this one experience. It's not quite the same, but similar. I was with my family at a nice restaurant having diner. I needed to use the restroom so excused myself from the table and began wheeling my wheel chair back to the bathroom. Which, by the way I was fully caplable of doing by myself. There was a slight ramp so I was making my way up the ramp when suddenly a woman grabbed my chair and began to push. She never said a word! And I didn't know her from Adam. She pushed me straight into the bathroom and acted like she was going to go into the stall with me, that's when I drew the line. And when I objected it was her feelings that were hurt and she left offended. I couldn't believe it! Now I realize she had just been trying to be nice, but from my point of view she should have asked. I felt like a she was treating me like a child. It was really a strange encounter. Had to share! Hugs everyone! Cathy

all I can say is what MSKc said "you cant fix stupid"
I am sorry that happened to you
x

I'm sure when you looked at her and asked her what did she say, she became totally embarassed at how ignorant her comment sounded. Sometimes people say things they are later sorry that they said. Maybe this happened to her, maybe not. Ignorance is blilss. However, there are some heartless people out there and it is a shame you had to run into one. People should not judge others, everyone is fighting some kind of battle.

I must get this on the regular..being 27 and can walk decent they swear I. Don't need my handicap sign or cane etc...I WISH someone would say some shit to me my bf would go apeshit crazy on them!! Not to mention the verbal attack id give...insensitive ignorant assholes that don't know shit till it happens to them..my family went to the delaware gap river n we specifically went early cuz there's one damn tree with shade n my dad grabbed it cuz he knew I can't be in the sun...OBVIOUSLY I needed the shade as well as help getting in/out the river n some fat bitch came to us in the afternoon mind u asking if we could move over n share the tree with her family (they had a fam of 10 or more) when we said to her shoulda got here earlier she said we don't own the tree n her fam needs the shade..BITCH!! Ur fat ass family shoulda got here earlier like us! 4 puertoricans pissed off is def not good lol that happened 3 times that day...people are inconsiderate...smh

Some people are sad and bitter deep inside and I think that's why that could even realize how sad it really is that someone much younger has to resort to using assistance like that. I'm glad you gave her something to think about. She needed that.
Hugs,
~Lorrie

I so understand what you're talking about. I get looks all the time, like I'm just faking it! My own brother was making fun of me, because he thinks that I look fine, therefore I am. I don't know yet what I have, but I can tell you that sometimes I am fine, and don't need the aid of my cane while other times, I can barely walk due to so much pain, or my Vertigo, and balance is so bad that I feel like someone shot me up with drugs. I live right now in the capitol of senior citizens, and most are respectable, and realize I have something wrong with me, but every now and then I get a dirty look, just because of my age. Yet funny enough, I was told my spine just on it's own without all the other problems I have, is that of an 80 year olds.

I get hate from time to time to from people who have dx too to boot, just because I don't have dx yet, I guess I'm not considered sick, and not worthy to deserve any sympathy. I'm not fortunate like some people, as I don't have regular health insurance, due to my lack of income, because I can't work with whatever it turns out that I have, so I must rely on state health insurance, and wait like eight weeks just for an approval to get an MRI that I so desperately need!

My heart goes out to you. People can be so cruel!

Rica like you im young too 33. You remind me of my wife she would have went ape on them too.

I'm sorry too that you had to endure that. I do like the fleas comment and the "you can't fix stupid" comment. I think that will be my new Facebook status lol.

I have lost so much faith in humanity through all of my struggles with this, that now I just expect people to be stupid A-holes. How sad is that? There are plenty of people who are not that though, and try to remember that. For one---all of us here are there for you.

HUGS :)

Ya know guys-I am glad that everyone knows how I felt-I just felt so small and like oh.... I don't know....I feel belittled.. I do look like nothing is wrong with me. So people do not think there is anything wrong... I wish... Can't walk more than 5 steps without hanging on to something.

Thanks for some of the comments/jokes made me laugh and feel better..
Pam

hey made the local paper see below

In the last few weeks I have noticed a change in people. They seem to be a little disgruntled.
I was at Walmart recently. I have a debilitating disease and am in a wheelchair full time, unable to walk more than 4 to 5 steps at a time.
As we were going through the store, there were two older women - oh, maybe in their 60s. One of them made a comment, something like it must be nice that all of these disabled people get more advantages/extras than everyone else. The other woman agreed with her.
She said this as we went by her, loud enough for us to hear. She does not know who I am or anything about me. I would gladly exchange places with her.
We want to be able to go shopping, go to the movies, go out to eat and enjoy life, fully realizing that this must be done within the boundaries of our limitations.
We have to plan before we can just go places. Is there going to be a handicapped parking place? Is it going to be set up for a person in a wheelchair or a walker? Is there going to be someone in the handicapped bathroom?
Some have preconceived ideas and often treat physically disabled people as if they are faking or lazy. Even worse, people sometimes treat physically disabled people as if they have no abilities at all or don't even exist. There may be people like this but don't just assume that everyone is faking or lazy.
I sure hope the person who said those things in my presence does not become physically challenged and is treated badly.

Sorry you were treated this way. I must say though, you handled the situation beautifully! If someone is going to make a rude or insensitive comment they should be called on the carpet over it. Maybe they will think twice next time and spare someone else the pain this kind of behavior causes. I also loved the letter to the editor. You used a bad experience in a positive way. You took the opportunity to educate a larger number of people as to challenges that many of us face and you did it with such class! Bravo!

I was at the beach in New Jersey last month and I parked at the handicap spot and as I got out of the car to go meet my family that was already on the beach I saw this guy look at me and shake his head. Well I got to my family on the beach and he happened to be with some people right in front of us. I heard him tell the story to his friends how this guy just parked in this spot and walked away and then said " and he didn't have any problems at all, what an asshole".
I ignored it but told my wife and she went over to this guy in front of his friends and " The guy that parked in the handicap spot that you told your friends about is my husband and he has MS, he came to the beach for a few minutes just to play with his son if he stays much longer than that he may not be able to walk back to the car" The guy just started saying how sorry he was. Maybe he will put his mind in motion before his mouth.
Hey Alexana, I love when you write responses, you always make me laugh.

HUGS to you !! I know this post is old but I wanted to add in my support--and to that one poster who said shame on us...shame on THEM, man. We can complain and rage all we want! We have MS--they're just stupid. You can always educate yourself to become less ignorant, but its not like we can get rid of our MS!
Having gotten sick at 22, I def get a LOT of crap for not being able to walk well or for needing special things--diet, temp control, etc etc
I haven't even gotten my handicap placard yet (tho its been 5 yrs this way) bc I can't drive...tho I should get it for my hubby when he drives me so we can park closer, I always feel such shame...
Am young, "look fine", and apparently should also BE fine.

I loved your letter bc its so true--we are either ostracized, misunderstood, or ignored completely.

Man oh man oh man oh MAN, you nailed that one perfectly, WELL DONE. I wish I had half your patience and eloquence, had it been be I would have been having the same meal three times a day for many days to come..called "old ladies de jour" .. that's how long it would have taken to chew these insensitive morons up and spit them the hell out. I'm not generally known for suffering fools gladly but honestly, these ignoramuses give the word fool a whole new meaning.

Fireman, thank you sunshine, always nice to be appreciated ;-)

Hi Everyone,

Ok, I can't resist telling this story. It happened many years ago during my just dx'd phase. At that time, I had lesions in my brain and on my brain stem. Any bump on my head would make me pass out. So my neurologist at the time, bless him, was having me wear a bike helmet when I was out and about. Ripley Believe It Or Not!

Well, here is the good part, I was out with a friend(still had some at that point) and we had stopped at a grocery store to pick up a few things. My friend was going to run in while I waited in the car. So I was sitting in the passenger side of the car. Wearing my blue bike helmet and dark sun glasses. Two guys stroll by the car and notice me sitting there and start elbowing each other. These are not kids mind you, but adult men. They turn around and walk straight up to the windshield of my car. Then it dawns on me...because if the dark glasses they think I am blind. These two nerds proceed to make weird faces at me through the glass, then after a brief conference and glance around, they both pull down their pants and moon me. After the show I took off my glasses and said, "Thanks Guys!" Their mouths dropped and they turned and fled. I howled!!!! My friend was
bummed she had missed the bums. Sometimes it's fun to be weird!
Hugs, Cathy