People are only as disabled as you make them

I reread this and found it to sound bitter. It likely does because I had a number of these type of incidents in a row and was fed up! This was just a way to vent........

Am I not good enough? Apparently this is he case, since I had a stroke and have some visible disabilities. To some I am not good enough but fortunately I think I am. The word stroke frightens off would be ‘suitors’, employment possibilities and is evident in social situations. I know it shouldn’t matter, but it unfortunately after experiencing enough ignorance, it adds up and brings you down. I should explain......

I have had many experiences when people don’t think you can do it. There is a difference between whether you should vs. whether you can. Some people that label youmay know you well and other people you don’t know them at all.

First of all strangers have looked me up and down to determine whether I will be able to do something. I’ll let you know. Let me at least try. The doctor’s didn’t think I would walk again, or do many things, but I'm proud to say I am. They were far more educated than people judging me so what makes them be the expert on what I can do? Unfortunately well meaning friends project on me what they think they would be able to do in my situation.

What strikes me as sad when I think about people having to deal with this.....stereotype all of their lives? It’s a wonder they try anything after being treated or hear they can’t do ‘something’. It’s better to assume they can do it and let them try (as long as they aren’t a danger to themselves or others). Too often they are just ignored or given tasks far beneath what they are able to do. Don’t assume anything.

The word stroke frightens off people. It’s understandable; I didn’t even really know what a stroke was before I had one, other than it can do terrible things. I am not sure what they think when they hear 'stroke'? Do they expect the worst? Is it physical deformities and mental problems and deformaties?

But what I do know is that when I see people I haven’t seen since before the stroke, I get similar responses. 'You look so good'. Don’t get me wrong it’s always nice to hear a compliment but I can’t help but wonder what did they expect? I am grateful to not have any disfigurements. I continue to work out because it makes me feel good, is great therapy, and has helped me to get where I am.

I can say that every stroke is different; I have seen people walk but have memory problems or have both mental and physical problems or be like me and have primarily physical issues that are long lasting. You should have an interaction before making assumptions about a stroke patient or anyone for that matter