Giving the student the benefit of the doubt, maybe she was concerned about your safety and not her own. As for the "you look good" comment from others, I think sometimes they think it lets them off the hook if they don't see blaring symptoms. They can continue to ignore it. How nice for them.

Gentle hugs, Linda

I think it's just one of those things people say when there is really nothing else to fill the awkward space. Like when people die and they say "they are in a better place". Sometimes they mean it, and sometimes they just can't think of anything else.

I hear you though, it can be almost insulting. It puts you in a position to either lie and say "yea I'm doing good" and go into a drawn out explanation of how NOT good you are doing (which makes you look like a pity party). Neither is a good option and it can be very frustrating. Usually I just reply "if only looks were all that mattered", smile, and change the subject.

People don't know what to say, they are ignorant (hell, I did not know ANYTHING about MS before being diagnosed, now know SOME things). A friend I 'told' on Facebook didn't know how to respond, so I gave him words: 'Yes, it really sucks. You don't have to say anything.' I think he appreciated it.
When people randomly ask me about why I am having a hard time getting down the street, I NEVER name it, because I know they probably won't really understand. I just explain that my brain is not communicating well with my leg and with any luck it won't get much worse, but probably won't get better. That seems to work.
But it is annoying that people don't understand really.

I was dx'd almost 18 years ago BUT I am still ambulatory. So, this means I look GREAT but I feel like a pile of dung warmed over most of the time.

The worst experience I've had as of recent was from my stupid idiot of a sister-in-law that was begging me to go see her and my brother-in-law for Xmas. I told her I couldn't drive that far anymore.

Reply: "We all have our aches and pains."

Other comments, too numerous to count always make me feel like a piece of dung warmed over so to speak.

My own brother thinks I am a *fake*.

I give up really.

While I would not wish this crud on anyone out there, it sure hurts when people question you if they see you getting into your car parked in a disabled zone, etc.

Some day however, these people will wake-up when something happens to them or someone in their own life that becomes afflicted with a serious disability that may or may not be obvious.

Ignore is bliss as they say ...

:(

Hi
Today ive read in several places, that they would not wish ms on anyone. Sorry,, I have a list,, I would LOVE to see a few people I know get ms, this doesn't come out of hatred but it is real and honest.

My daughter and I prefer telling we have a neurological condition, it seems to have a bigger impact.
I think the kid was concerned for you. I really appreciate a young person that cares enough to have seen me and not avoid me because they feel uncomfortable.

A different perception of same experience.

I do think that they just dont know....BUT ........It really pisses me off I do have to not snap ...I realize it lack of knowledge , I have had this said sooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo many times even by family members too (not amediate now)but I could scream it is frustrating.

My favourites.....not...

'Are you over your MS ?'

(HELL YES!!!!!!)

'Do you still have MS?'

(No... someone else has it...)

'I can't deal with the fact you have MS'

(Me either ....)

I have always looked at it this way. Before MS, I loved hearing I look good. It was a compliment. So, when I hear it now, I also say thank you. People really are not trying to dismiss our disease. I think the posts that shared people don't know what else to say. i take it as a compliment. I accept it with grace. And given the proper situation, without anger, I explain to people what it is like. I don't tell everyone how I feel, but when I can tell they are interested and open, I will share.

The best thing I've ever heard is this (from a disabled friend that does not have MS).

I told her how people always tell me that I look just great and that you'd never know how old I am and that you'd never know that I have MS.

Her reply was a simple one but to the point: "May it always be this way for you!".

I found myself saying to her in reply, "You are right, I hope I always am this way, looking good and no one can tell I have anything wrong w/me." :)

There are two sides to every coin. We must remember this and keep it in mind at all times. If you look great (even though you feel like crud) and no one can tell you have anything wrong w/you, well count that as a blessing. It does not mean that you do not have MS. It means you are damn lucky IMO! :)

alot of the time, I think people just don't know what else to say. To them, saying "you look good" is their way of extending a nice compliment. It is not their fault that they don't understand the disease. We who deal with it daily, don't understand alot of this disease.
I do my best to try not to "take" the comments as offended comments.
I usually just thank them, and say something like "well, today is an ok day...we will see what tomorrow holds! Every day in the MS world is full of surprises. "...then, I just let it go.
If someone ever really wants to ask, I have plenty I can share with them. If not? Then, oh well.

Sorry the comments made you angry.

"I might look good on the outside but on the inside I am battling a war and I am losing".

I've made that comment.

My doctors say that I look good and always have a smile on my face. Last month I told her that she doesn't live in my house to see how I live. I said most of me isn't to smiley.

(I spend waaaaayyyy to much on this computer, I get nothing done....heehee)