Hi IMs,
How can I get people to take me seriously? I have spent many years as an educator and avid academic, sports achiever, artist and classical musician, but I have found that since becoming a wheelchair user who can’t work, everyone around me talks to me like a baby, leaves me out of things, try to make my decisions for me, tell me what to do and take over, tell me I’m wrong when I speak my truth, and don’t ever listen to me.
I have no form of self expression, deeper social connections, or engagement in things. I have a physical disability (so I can’t engage in commitments) but my mind is sound. I’m so sick of people treating me like I’m crazy and unintelligent!
4 Replies
I’m not sure but it’s a real thing - infantilising people with a disability. Maybe do some reading and find some articles to share, and find some ways to express yourself/surround yourself with people similar to you. Creative writing, art, study?
This is so terrible, I am not in a wheel chair but I do have chronic migraines that are debilitating and I can barely work. Because I don’t work, I feel people are like this to me also. They dismiss everything I say and exclude me from so many conversations because I don’t work, it’s like I’m shit. I feel for you, this is terrible and it’s hard enough for you being in a wheel chair , let alone being surrounded by ignorant people. Pull them up and tell them, that you aren’t stupid and do not ever dismiss you. It’s so ignorant! You aren’t crazy, they are ignorant.
I'm sorry this has been your experience, and I hope better people come into your life.
It’s a very real thing you are going through. I follow a few disability activists online and they report similar issues.
I’m sorry people don’t treat you how you deserve to be treated and I don’t know how to change the situation.
Just last week I read an article about a blind woman being refused alcohol in a bar because she didn’t have a carer with her like. Terrible!