Young Man With Invisible Disabilities Boldly Asserts His Right To Wheelchair On Train

"On bad days it's really hard for me to walk at all."

Damjan

• Published in Interesting
• November 27, 2023

When you live with a physical disability that isn't immediately obvious to others, it opens up a world of unique challenges. This is a reality for many, who often find themselves misunderstood and unfairly judged based on what others can't see.

A Reddit story poignantly illustrates the emotional strain such misunderstandings can cause. OP in this story is a 21-year-old man grappling with osteoarthritis and a birth malformation in his lower spine.

To manage his mobility and comfort, especially in public spaces like trains, he uses a manual wheelchair. His narrative takes an unexpected turn during a routine train ride.

After standing up to pay his fare, a fellow passenger confronts him, accusing him of pretending to need the wheelchair. This accusation, steeped in misconceptions about disability, particularly among younger people, quickly spirals into a tense and hurtful argument.

In this heated moment, the OP finds himself defending his condition and the essential role his wheelchair plays in his life. The confrontation grows more personal as the man criticizes the OP for his response to a comment about a friend's inability to afford a wheelchair.

This sharp exchange, though a natural response to feeling attacked, leads the OP to question his actions and his right to use the wheelchair on days when his condition allows limited mobility.

OP is a young man with osteoarthritis and a lower spine birth malformation and uses a manual wheelchair for mobility, especially on crowded public transport.

A man on the train accused OP of faking his disability, he berated OP for using a wheelchair and called him selfish.

OP is questioning whether he was wrong for using a wheelchair when he can walk on good days and if his response to a man who criticized him was appropriate.

OP should ignore the criticism

OP was not in the wrong for defending his need for a wheelchair on a train.

Sadly, such individuals are not uncommon.

OP has the right to use a wheelchair despite being able to stand and walk briefly.

OP is not the as*hole for using mobility aids when he needs them.

OP should ignore such negativity and continue doing what's best for him.

Not everyone using a wheelchair is unable to stand or walk, disability can vary.

The fact that some wheelchair users can briefly stand doesn't mean they're pretending.

Using a wheelchair is valid, and OP had every right to stand up for himself.

Not all disabilities are obvious

Living with a physical disability that isn't immediately obvious to others can indeed present unique challenges, and, unfortunately, misconceptions and misunderstandings about disabilities can lead to hurtful situations like the one OP described. Individuals need to have the right to use mobility aids, like wheelchairs, when they need them, even if their condition allows for limited mobility on certain days.

Disability is not always visible, and society must be more understanding and accepting of this fact, fostering an inclusive and empathetic environment for everyone.

Damjan