Familiar?
When I was living in the Netherlands I had a "disability card". This card was issued by a physician of the city department and gave me the right to park in the spaces reserved for disabled. I put it in front of the windshield of the car whenever I made use of one of those parking-spaces. At that time I had trouble walking and couldn't walk long. So, I was grateful to be able while being disabled:-) I walked slow and took my time to do the shopping. Only my hands showed my RA, for the rest one couldn't tell. I can not count the times I parked, got out of the car and noticed the glares of passers-by! I simply ignored those. Several times I was addressed, sometimes friendly, sometimes annoyed, being pointed out that it was a parking-spot for disabled I just parked at. At first I would tell them I knew, and make them aware of the fact there was the card in front of the windshield. Still, the looks of disbelief were there as they went on with their business. Later on, all I did was smile and showed my hands. That worked wonders, haha. Sometimes, but very rarely, an excuse. Most of the times a red face and a fast exit. Forgive me, but I found it amusing:-)
I was shopping with my Mom one day, when we ran into an acquaintance of hers. She introduced us and then reminded her I had RA. Mom almost summoned me to show the lady my hands. I knew she needed to prove she had not been lying, and that there was no ill intent, so I did. ( I prolly would do good in a freak-show, haha.) It just makes it so obvious...I can't see it, therefore I don't believe it. Most people turn into "unbelieving Thomasses". I guess that is nothing new. Very few accept words and trust without seeing. It was so in the days of Christ and still is so today.
Unless you have a visual injury or any evidence of physical discomfort, people don't seem to accept that you have an illness. Is it just me, or have more of y'all noticed?
Romans 10:17
So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
I was shopping with my Mom one day, when we ran into an acquaintance of hers. She introduced us and then reminded her I had RA. Mom almost summoned me to show the lady my hands. I knew she needed to prove she had not been lying, and that there was no ill intent, so I did. ( I prolly would do good in a freak-show, haha.) It just makes it so obvious...I can't see it, therefore I don't believe it. Most people turn into "unbelieving Thomasses". I guess that is nothing new. Very few accept words and trust without seeing. It was so in the days of Christ and still is so today.
Unless you have a visual injury or any evidence of physical discomfort, people don't seem to accept that you have an illness. Is it just me, or have more of y'all noticed?
Romans 10:17
So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
14 Comments:
My wife was diagnosed with chronic fatigue syndrome . . . I can relate - it's hard to explain the illness without some people, either explicitly or implicitly saying "can't she just get over it?".
Many prayers :-)
Blessings & Peace,
Hugo
Our prayers and sympathy for your wife and you.
This must have a great impact on your lives. If we can be of any help, even if it is just by lending and ear to you or your wife, we are here:-)
God's Grace.
I have Fibromyalgia...I have lived with it for over 10 years....did not know what it was until Lindsay was 3. I suffer daily. I never sleep good. I hurt all night...can hardly walk sometimes. I hurt a lot. I am very aware of how bad you hurt for my Grandmother has crippling arthritis.
Karen:
I must confess I don't know anything about Fibromyalgia, but I will study up on it and pray that God may relieve your pain.
I think you are doing a wonderful job for your family. I admire your perseverence to continue, inspite of the pain. God gives all of us what we need. And I am grateful for it!
God's Grace.
i dont understand how people can be so cruel, i think people with illness and disability have enogh to deal with, without having ignorant people making things just that little bit harder. i am 16 years old and have had juvenile arthritis for 6 years, i hate that fact that because i have good days and bad days, people think i am faking, or i was not born like this so its not a disability im just a hypochondriac. i wish people would get over themselves and accept all people as they are whether they're able bodied or disabled. just because you cant see it, doesnt mean its not there.
i totally understand what you mean about people having to see it to believe it. i hope you're not having too much pain :)
K.D:
Thank YOU for visiting and sharing! It is encouraging to hear that my blog might be of help. That is what I intended and hoped for, having faith God would bless:-)
I am sorry to hear you have Juvenile Arthritis. I can imagine what you are going through and how much it influences your life.
I would like to encourage you to have hope and faith and know that God hears every prayer:-)
Thank you:-),I am not in pain, (except for when I overdo) and haven't been for several years. The meds I have been on for a long long time are: plaquenil, methotrexate and ibuprofen. This combination seems to work very well for me. Other meds I was given before that, didn't seem to do anything or gave me an allergic reaction. I also think that seeing a Homeopathic Doctor had a positive effect on my RA.
Thank you for commenting, it also gave me inspiration for a new post:-)
You are in our prayers.
God's Grace.
I think people have generally become very distrusting because they see so many people taking advantage of society's conscience with the whole victim syndrome in our legal system. They don't have a lot of faith in our elected officials, our church leaders, our police departments, our school systems. So, it has just become second nature to think everyone is taking advantage of any situation.
I think it's sad that people who genuinely need assistance are looked at with skepticism. But, I think the even sadder thing is that we all seem to have lost the ability to show compassion toward our fellow human beings.
Nan:
I agree that many people have to suffer because of "opportunity seekers" who ruined it for those who need it and it was intended for.
As for compassion: I think it is a refusal to make the right choice or an unawarness to have a choice. The choice to love God and live according to His Will. He gave us the ability and the choice:-)
God's Grace.
I can relate. I was recently diagnosed with Carpal Tunnel and while I am okay most of the time, when it flares up it is some of the most intense pain that I've ever been in. A lot of my family members and friends don't understand just how painful it actually is and how my nerves feel as if they are on fire! Most of the time, they think I'm just being overdramatic.
reasons to believe:
I pray you will be okay all the time so you can do your writing.
I enjoyed it:-)
I know all about it. I had Carpal Tunnel in my right hand several years ago. The pain was constant and I could hardly do anything with my hand. I had surgery (which was outpatient) and after 2 weeks my hand was as good as new. Thank the Lord!
God's Grace.
I don't have RA, but I have chronic sinus disease and asthma. People can't see that either. They also think it's "just allergies." They don't see the 3 sinus surgeries. They don't see me coughing so hard I almost vomit. They don't see me not sleeping at night because I can't breathe. I just hope and pray they never have a chronic illness. Some people will never get it. I hope you will continue to do well!
And I hope and pray God will bless you too! Thank you for visiting and for your comment. It's encouraging to hear other experiences although I wish there weren't any:-)
God's Grace.
Hi there,
I am about to head over to the Netherlands on Friday and was wondering how hard it is to get a blue parking badge? I have CP which requires me to use two canes and limits the distance I can walk. If you have any suggestions or info on disbaled parking in the Netherlands I would be most grateful!
Regards,
-Tom
Tom:
Thank you for visiting my blog.
To answer your question: I don’t really know about a temporary card, but here are some suggestions that should be helpful;
You can call the dutch consolate and ask them
if they don’t know try the dutch tourist information office
and maybe a police station.
Enjoy your stay.
God’s Grace
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