Hidden disabilities (yet again) - NOT amateur radio

Sorry to post about this yet again, but it is a matter close to my heart. 

A good proportion of disabled people have "hidden" disabilities. At first sight, many would say "they are faking it" and there is nothing wrong. They look perfectly normal.

Speaking from personal experience. I get exhausted very easily and my voice is very poor. In shops, and even to my own wife, I have to repeat myself several times to be understood. When others around me are chatting, I want to join in, but know I shall have to repeat myself, so I remain silent. Life is very frustrating at times. Compared with many, I am lucky. Others have it far worse than me.

All I am advocating is do not judge others. They may have a hidden disability either physical or mental. Also, it is very easy to patronise. Whatever our state is, we want to do what we can. There is nothing worse than being treated as an idiot when not. Many with hidden disabilities have very high IQs.

Hidden disability - NOT amateur radio

People look at me and often say, "you do look well". Little do they know that for almost 9 years I have felt giddy all my waking hours, I feel tired and my voice is rubbish. It can be extremely frustrating!

I'm not after a sympathy vote, but next time you see someone think how they feel on the inside. Never judge by the "outside of the tin" as they say.  

Often people are struggling with a hidden disability be it physical or mental. In my case it is physical. 

Disability, what disability? - NOT amateur radio

When I first came out of hospital after my 2013 stroke I had a blue disability badge. This went several years ago as I knew it would not be renewed because I could walk. To assessors I would appear perfectly fine.

Six years later, I still find speaking and being understood hard. Driving is still possible, but I do not enjoy it. All the time I feel giddy on my feet. I tire easily. Compared with how I was before my stroke I am disabled.

Now I am not after the sympathy vote! What I want to say is there must be thousands of people who look perfectly healthy on the outside yet are not healthy on the inside. So, do not judge.

Hidden disabilities - NOT amateur radio

This has been mentioned here before, but I make no apologies.

Like several people, outwardly I look well (with a healthy tan) yet hidden from view is that I feel giddy on my feet and exhausted much of the time. My life is a near continuous fog. Many things that were once easy are not any more.  Even after a good sleep, I awake exhausted.

Many have hidden disabilities, which are not at all obvious. My only plea is don't judge a book by its cover. If someone feels bad inside, they probably are. A very few may fake things, but most will be genuine.

Speaking personally, I have been like this for almost 5 years now. I am not after sympathy: we have to make the best we can of what we have. All I am after, on behalf of everyone with a hidden disability, is a little understanding.

Cambridge day - NOT amateur radio

On Mondays I go into Cambridge on the bus for my University of the Third Age course. As I have an hour to kill after the course, I usually grab a bite to eat choosing different places most weeks. This week, I tried one place which was busy and ended up getting the £3 lunch deal (filled roll and drink) which was very good value at Subway. Sadly, because of my poor voice, the assistant treated me as if I was simple-minded: she spoke very slowly as if I was stupid. I found this very frustrating, but for many it must be far worse.  Never, ever, assume someone is stupid just because they have a disability.

Invisible disabilities

I have come to the conclusion that it is better to be disabled in a visible way than  have a disability that cannot be seen easily. On a walk this afternoon at Anglesey Abbey there were quite a few people who were clearly disabled.

My wife says when I walk you cannot tell I have a disability. Inside, I still feel like I am drunk, I tire easily and I still feel wobbly when walking.  My voice is still poor and swallow of thin liquids is poor.

Most people think I am fine now. I am still a long way from that although I still feel I am making slow improvements.  My current disability is invisible to many.

The ongoing after-effects of my cerebellum brain bleed are the reason I try to avoid too much speaking on the air. WSPR is my favourite mode as no talking is needed. JT65 and JT9-1 are my favourite 2-way digital modes. Although I have used PSK31 I don't much like it as too many use macros.

More eBay items for sale

http://myworld.ebay.co.uk/rlapthorn

As part of our de-cluttering session before we move, I've listed some more items on eBay. This time it is mainly new or nearly new children's clothes, a couple of women's clothing items (tops) and a couple of non-radio books. All the clothes items are in very good condition (some are brand new) and these may be of interest to the XYL or YL.

The Galapagos book cost £18.99 and is in MINT condition. 

The Cinema of Isolation book is a very interesting study about how physical disability has been portrayed in the cinema over the last 100 years showing how attitudes have changed.