Advice about out feelings around medical equipment.
I am 28 and chronicly ill. In the last 2 years ive been really struggling with pain and energy levels. It seems to be getting worse over time.
When I go to the store it takes me couple days to recover.
I bought a cane about a year ago and its been helping a bit but still struggling.
I started struggling more and more with pain and energy.
I ended up buying a cheap manual wheelchair, which will be here tomorrow. (Im planing on getting a electric lightweight one in the future when I can afford it cause i know manual wheelchair be hard on my body)
I know if I go out with it people i know will definitely going to annoy me about it
And if my friends mom finds out, she would definitely get up in my business like she does with my eating and medical stuff. (She seemed annoyed and confused at one point why i had fmla, when she knows im disabled)
I also have a friend that constantly bugs me saying I shouldn't be this tired and walking is good for me when I was struggling to walk around the store.
Knowing me ill end up putting it in my closet and not use it even when needed cause I am so embarrassed, ashamed, exposed and awkward. And feel like im not disabled enough for one. Plus its not like I can use it at work cause its a physical labor job. I am barely aloud to have my cane with me. (Planing to get new job but its hard to find something accommodating)
I have seen so many clips and stories of people harassing young disabled people. Im not even 30 yet and needing medical devices. I am worried about encountering people like that. I also dont drive due to other disability, so I dont have disabled parking badge so I get to avoid that for now at least.
I dont know how to deal with feeling like a burden. I will be talking to my therapist about it in out next session in 2 weeks.
Kinda ranting, kinda wanting advice.
Thanks
Also Happy Disability Pride Month