May to me is all about EDS Awareness Month. I was diagnosed with Ehlers Danlos Syndrome when I was 19, (10 years ago now, that makes me feel old) it took over six years before I received a diagnosis and there is still not enough knowledge about EDS.
I’m really awkward when it comes to talking about my disability, I don’t know why, you’d think I’d have plenty of practice. Although I accept it, (I mean, I don’t really have much of a choice) and I can talk openly about it to anyone who is interested, when a stranger asks me, ‘what have you done to your leg?’ or ‘why’re you on crutches?’ I immediately start panicking, and the combination of anxiety and brain fog are not my biggest allies.
My usual response is, ‘erm, well, erm, I just dislocate,’ or ‘erm, I’m in a lot of pain because erm, my body is, umm shit.’ Who’d have thought I was a writer with a Masters degree in English – I can barely string a bloody sentence together. After I’ve made myself and the inquisitive stranger embarrassed and we tumble into a hole of silent akwardness, I begin thinking of all the answers I could have given. I’ve done this for ten years. TEN whole years. Don’t get me wrong, I hate it when randomers ask me personal questions about my health, but I despise the response I give even more.
I wrote about accepting my disability – and although I am accepting of it, I’m still a bumbling idiot when it comes to saying the words out loud.
However…Actually, can I get a drum roll, please?
On Thursday, I went to get my hair done and there was a stylist in the salon that I had never met before. My hairdresser asked if she would wash the colour off my hair and when I walked over to the sink using my crutches, the stylist turned to me, apologised and asked my favourite question, ‘oh sorry, I didn’t realise you were on crutches, what have you done to you leg?’
My response. And this is huge for me, was, ‘I’m disabled.’
BOOM. YES. I AM DISABLED.
No choking on words, no ridiculous descriptions of pain, no playing down my shitty condition. Just, I’m disabled. Done, said, over in two words. No anxiety, no wishing I’d said something different, just a massive relief.
I came home and told Ian immediately, I was proud of myself. I’d never been able to do this before. I’ve admitted it to myself, I’ve said it in conversations to family and friends, I’ve told strangers in a round-about way. But this, this was a defining moment and I was more than impressed with myself.
From this day forward, that’s going to be my response to any of the usual questions I get about my health.
I’m disabled.
28 thoughts on “I Told A Stranger That I’m Disabled”
Good for you! I can say the weirdest things when people ask me questions like that. Like 'I'm a little disabled', is that even possible, to be a 'little' disabled? 😜
Good for you! I can say the weirdest things when people ask me questions like that. Like 'I'm a little disabled', is that even possible, to be a 'little' disabled? 😜
So proud of you! It's really hard to know what to say. I'm still practicing my line of "I have a connective tissue disorder called Ehlers-Danlos syndrome that means the glue that holds my body together doesn't work properly." Before I'd figured that reply out I used to muddle through a useless answer. I often find (at lease I have with questions about my glasses) that people get embarrassed when I tell them that I'm photosensitive, or they become defensive as though I'm the one being inappropriate! I found that particularly hard when I was working in retail as I had to remain professional & couldn't retaliate with "Erm… you brought it up!" Xx
So proud of you! It's really hard to know what to say. I'm still practicing my line of "I have a connective tissue disorder called Ehlers-Danlos syndrome that means the glue that holds my body together doesn't work properly." Before I'd figured that reply out I used to muddle through a useless answer. I often find (at lease I have with questions about my glasses) that people get embarrassed when I tell them that I'm photosensitive, or they become defensive as though I'm the one being inappropriate! I found that particularly hard when I was working in retail as I had to remain professional & couldn't retaliate with "Erm… you brought it up!" Xx
Good for you. It isn't easy when total strangers pop questions out and being caught off guard to answer. You said the plain simple truth..can feel quite good! Just wanted to say I enjoy your blog.
Good for you. It isn't easy when total strangers pop questions out and being caught off guard to answer. You said the plain simple truth..can feel quite good! Just wanted to say I enjoy your blog.
�� Sarah that's amazing! Might seem so trivial for some but it's a huge deal to be able to say it and not feel like a fart just fell out your mouth �� I call myself a deformed freak when people ask why I walk a bit funny because trying to explain exactly why my hip isn't normal ends up looking like I'm giving directions to asda in sign language. Also have to say I love reading your blog, you are such a beautiful person and inspiration to so many young women to never give up xxx
�� Sarah that's amazing! Might seem so trivial for some but it's a huge deal to be able to say it and not feel like a fart just fell out your mouth �� I call myself a deformed freak when people ask why I walk a bit funny because trying to explain exactly why my hip isn't normal ends up looking like I'm giving directions to asda in sign language. Also have to say I love reading your blog, you are such a beautiful person and inspiration to so many young women to never give up xxx
I'm so proud of you 🙂 Admittedly I've seen from a far yours and other bloggers discussions with your disabilities, as I've never felt I could butt in with conversations, but I love hearing what you've accomplished and how it's made you feel about yourself! Keep it up you beautiful ladyyyy! Lots of love
I'm so proud of you 🙂 Admittedly I've seen from a far yours and other bloggers discussions with your disabilities, as I've never felt I could butt in with conversations, but I love hearing what you've accomplished and how it's made you feel about yourself! Keep it up you beautiful ladyyyy! Lots of love
WOO! I'm so proud of you, sweetie!! The only way I can relate is by admitting to both myself and to anyone that asks if that 'I suffer from depression'. Admission is the biggest step we have to take and you, you brave old thing, did it!! Hope you ate lots of chocolate! 😉
WOO! I'm so proud of you, sweetie!! The only way I can relate is by admitting to both myself and to anyone that asks if that 'I suffer from depression'. Admission is the biggest step we have to take and you, you brave old thing, did it!! Hope you ate lots of chocolate! 😉
Thanks. I don't feel the need to explain to randomers what's wrong with me, it's none of their business and a long explanation would only frustrate me as I know I'd get tongue tied or foggy x
Good for you girl! I'm so glad that you have gotten up the courage to just come out and say it 🙂 I'm sat in work and I've been completely lost in your blog for like the past 3 hours – whoops.
Good for you!
I can say the weirdest things when people ask me questions like that. Like 'I'm a little disabled', is that even possible, to be a 'little' disabled? 😜
Good for you!
I can say the weirdest things when people ask me questions like that. Like 'I'm a little disabled', is that even possible, to be a 'little' disabled? 😜
So proud of you! It's really hard to know what to say. I'm still practicing my line of "I have a connective tissue disorder called Ehlers-Danlos syndrome that means the glue that holds my body together doesn't work properly." Before I'd figured that reply out I used to muddle through a useless answer. I often find (at lease I have with questions about my glasses) that people get embarrassed when I tell them that I'm photosensitive, or they become defensive as though I'm the one being inappropriate! I found that particularly hard when I was working in retail as I had to remain professional & couldn't retaliate with "Erm… you brought it up!" Xx
Tania | When Tania Talks
So proud of you! It's really hard to know what to say. I'm still practicing my line of "I have a connective tissue disorder called Ehlers-Danlos syndrome that means the glue that holds my body together doesn't work properly." Before I'd figured that reply out I used to muddle through a useless answer. I often find (at lease I have with questions about my glasses) that people get embarrassed when I tell them that I'm photosensitive, or they become defensive as though I'm the one being inappropriate! I found that particularly hard when I was working in retail as I had to remain professional & couldn't retaliate with "Erm… you brought it up!" Xx
Tania | When Tania Talks
Good for you. It isn't easy when total strangers pop questions out and being caught off guard to answer. You said the plain simple truth..can feel quite good! Just wanted to say I enjoy your blog.
Good for you. It isn't easy when total strangers pop questions out and being caught off guard to answer. You said the plain simple truth..can feel quite good! Just wanted to say I enjoy your blog.
�� Sarah that's amazing! Might seem so trivial for some but it's a huge deal to be able to say it and not feel like a fart just fell out your mouth ��
I call myself a deformed freak when people ask why I walk a bit funny because trying to explain exactly why my hip isn't normal ends up looking like I'm giving directions to asda in sign language.
Also have to say I love reading your blog, you are such a beautiful person and inspiration to so many young women to never give up xxx
�� Sarah that's amazing! Might seem so trivial for some but it's a huge deal to be able to say it and not feel like a fart just fell out your mouth ��
I call myself a deformed freak when people ask why I walk a bit funny because trying to explain exactly why my hip isn't normal ends up looking like I'm giving directions to asda in sign language.
Also have to say I love reading your blog, you are such a beautiful person and inspiration to so many young women to never give up xxx
I'm so proud of you 🙂 Admittedly I've seen from a far yours and other bloggers discussions with your disabilities, as I've never felt I could butt in with conversations, but I love hearing what you've accomplished and how it's made you feel about yourself!
Keep it up you beautiful ladyyyy! Lots of love
Sarah xo // See The Stars
I'm so proud of you 🙂 Admittedly I've seen from a far yours and other bloggers discussions with your disabilities, as I've never felt I could butt in with conversations, but I love hearing what you've accomplished and how it's made you feel about yourself!
Keep it up you beautiful ladyyyy! Lots of love
Sarah xo // See The Stars
WOO! I'm so proud of you, sweetie!! The only way I can relate is by admitting to both myself and to anyone that asks if that 'I suffer from depression'. Admission is the biggest step we have to take and you, you brave old thing, did it!! Hope you ate lots of chocolate! 😉
Dee | PromptsbyDee xoxo
WOO! I'm so proud of you, sweetie!! The only way I can relate is by admitting to both myself and to anyone that asks if that 'I suffer from depression'. Admission is the biggest step we have to take and you, you brave old thing, did it!! Hope you ate lots of chocolate! 😉
Dee | PromptsbyDee xoxo
Yay! I'm really proud of you 🙂 That's awesome!
Haha bless you xo
Haha bless you xo
Thanks. I don't feel the need to explain to randomers what's wrong with me, it's none of their business and a long explanation would only frustrate me as I know I'd get tongue tied or foggy x
Thank you xo
Thanks xo
Thanks xo
You're such a babe, thank you sweetheart, love you lots xo
You're such a babe, thank you sweetheart, love you lots xo
Thanks Daisy. We're both super brave *sassy emoji* xo
Thank you lovely xo
Oh my God, I hate the "What have you done to yourself?" NOTHING. I'm disabled! I say it all the time but it always feels uncomfortable. Good for you.
Oh my God, I hate the "What have you done to yourself?" NOTHING. I'm disabled! I say it all the time but it always feels uncomfortable. Good for you.
Thank you x
Good for you girl! I'm so glad that you have gotten up the courage to just come out and say it 🙂
I'm sat in work and I've been completely lost in your blog for like the past 3 hours – whoops.
Kayla | http://www.daintydweeb.com
xo
Aww thank you, I'm so glad you like it x