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.

Roger Lapthorn, G3XBM, is a regular contributor to AmateurRadio.com and writes from Cambridge, England.

5 Responses to “Invisible disabilities”

  • peter kg5wy:

    Hang in there Roger.

  • Dan KG7AFL:

    I know how you feel.
    I am currently trying to get on disability here in Utah.
    I have what is called Panhypopituitarism. Meaning my Pituitary does not work.
    On the outside I look fine.
    On the inside I am tired, weak, shaky and others.
    But even though the Dr.’s say I need to be on disability it is hard to get on it.

    Thought I would through in my 2 bits.

  • Alan G7elg:

    Have been thro this, ( but you look ok ) don’t feel guilty you are not on your own. Hang in there and ignore any commen
    73sAl.

  • Stuart WB6RXG:

    There’s a ham here in Northern California that lost his leg in a motorcycle accident when he was a young man. He currently rides a three wheeled motorcycle that he built himself. He has a special support on the foot peg for the prosthetic leg so the leg can’t fall off of the foot peg. The motorcycle has handicapped plates. Now I may have this story slightly wrong but, this is how I remember it. He told me one time that he had parked in the handicapped spot in front of a store and was immediately accosted by an older person who was claiming he wasn’t handicapped since he could ride a motorcycle. He proceeded to grab a nearby shopping cart, removed the leg placing it in the cart and hopped into the store. Some people have a lot of nerve! In my experience, even if you look handicapped you still get ignored.

    My best to you and I pray you keep improving.
    73,
    Stuart
    WB6RXG

  • Tom Kb3hg:

    Roger,
    There is truth in the adage “You have to walk a mile in their shoes to understand”, Some will never understand, It’s not worth the effort sometimes. Just Know what is important to you. Been there, still there, 40+ years of being there. I personally do not use the label handicapped and likely never will.

    Best Regards,
    Tom

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