Things aren't Always as they Seem

A couple of months ago I purchased a walker for myself. (Side note: it's red and adorned with bows and pink stickers and it's so cute, I love it.) Something I have noticed is that people in the general public seem to act kinder to me when I am out and about with my walker. Strangers open doors for me, old ladies with walkers smile at me, and people make space for me on the footpath. This is obviously lovely, and I am very grateful for their kindness, but part of me can't help but compare to experiences I have had without my walker.

I am disabled. I always have a disability. My disability is largley a hidden disability, but it becomes more visible (at least to the public) when I use my walker. It is amazing how much the attitudes of people can change. When I am without my walker (again, still disabled), I walk slowly. Often, I walk very slowly. People will push past me on the footpath, frustrated that I am walking so slowly, oblivious to my disability. I am absolutely exhausted and fatigued, but because no-one else can see it, no-one opens doors for me, no-one helps me to move about easier. Yet as soon as I go out with my walker, everything changes. People become kinder.

Now look, I do not expect people to pick up that I am disabled when I am without my walker. I have a hidden disability - it is called hidden for a reason. I just want to point out my experiences of the attitude changes of the general public because my experiences draw attention to the importance of empathy. People make space for me on the footpath when I am visibly disabled, but they get openly frustrated at my walking pace when my disability is invisible.

So next time someone who appears "fine" asks you for a seat on the train, don't make assumptions. When someone walks slowly in front of you on the busy footpath, don't mutter under your breath about it. When someone uses a wheelchair but can move their legs and walk when they choose to, don't throw accusations at them.

You don't know what is going on in the lives of the people around you. You only see a small snapshot of their lives. Don't jump to conclusions. Have some empathy.