1/1/2024 0 Comments Invisible disabilities quotes![]() Their limitations may stem from such illnesses as Fibromyalgia, Lupus, Lyme Disease, Multiple Sclerosis, Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy, Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME), Crohn’s Disease, Cystic Fibrosis, or a host of many others. Their limitations may be disabling, but because their symptoms can seem unapparent to most, we call them, “Invisible Disabilities.” In other words, they can have a physically limiting illness or injury, even though it is not obvious to the onlooker. We often do not realize that a person can have hindrances that come from the inside and may not be visible on the outside. Lisa Lorden, a writer living with Fibromyalgia explained, “…our visually oriented society may not take the time to look beyond appearances. People tend to believe what they see and if it can’t be seen, it simply doesn’t exist.” True, not every kind of disability qualifies a person to park in a reserved space, but it is considered a disability – whether or not it is visible to the onlooker.ĭespite the facts, when most people think of a disability, they picture in their minds a person with a visible, obvious impairment. ![]() Therefore, we cannot always judge whether a person is disabled or not by how they look to us. In 1997, there were 26 million Americans considered to have a severe disability and only 7 million of them use a wheelchair, cane, crutches or walker ( U.S. Would we laugh in disbelief, turn in disgust or would we show compassion? Would we believe them, make an effort to understand or would we assume they were lying? After all, why would they actually need to park there when they “look” perfectly able to walk? Besides, isn’t it obvious who is and who is not disabled? Well, the answer is – NO! This is an honorable and admirable intention that should be commended! On the other hand, what if the person with the license told us they actually did have a need to park there? How do we respond to invisible disabilities? When it comes right down to it, our response is that of protecting those with disabilities, by defending what is rightfully theirs. After all, we want them to know that they are not “pulling the wool over our eyes!” We know they are living a lie and we know their dishonesty could cost someone who deserves it, the right to park there! Sometimes we just cannot turn away, so we give them a look or even say something to show our disapproval. Often we simply shake our heads in disbelief and walk on. ![]() ![]() Nevertheless, it seems evident that they must be using someone else’s permit because they certainly do not “look” disabled! Otherwise, how else would they have an accessible parking license? Sometimes we even see someone park there who has a legal placard, window plaque or license plate. It is obvious they are not disabled, they are just in a hurry and being quite lazy! It makes us angry, because not only is it illegal, but it is immoral to steal the spaces from those who actually need it! We have all seen it! Someone pulls into an accessible parking space, “jumps” out and dashes into the store. Looks Can Be Deceiving: Understanding What’s on the Inside, Despite What You See on the Outside. ![]()
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