♿️ People with invisible disabilities shouldn't have to apologise for this

Hello. Happy new year. How are you? I’m really good. Been working hard on planning out my content for the year, and after a little break, I’m really happy to be back. We have some awesome videos planned for 2024. Let me know what are your “Outs” for 2024? Don’t forget to thumbs up, and subscribe. Next week I’ll be sharing my top tips for new wheelchair users, and sharing tips from the community as well. Gem

I so agree, I loathe it when I see a sign saying "special needs' I love your phrase "additional needs", clear, consise and non-judgemental.

The woman you ran into at the accessable restroom, for those eho don't know what a colostomy bag is, its a bag attached to the abdomen that connects to part of the intestine to collect bowel movements. Some are temporary and some are permanent. The accessible toilet gave her room to maneuver around the toilet to empty the bag and privacy to change the bag if needed.

I would leave in 2023, that disability is associated with elderly people 60 (or somewhat) +. Yesterday I read an offer from a social (!!!) service, to deliver donated food to the door, instead of picking up for people with mobility issues. The conditions to participate were: Grade of disability 70 % or higher (where I live is an official system to get social support), mobility issues AND 65+. I felt very excluded, especially this came from a social service NOT specialized for older people. Damn, I'm much younger, but participation in the delivery would help me a lot.

As someone who recently went from having an invisible disability to now being a full time wheelchair user, seeing the difference in people out in public has been huge. I myself still feel pretty much the same about having to justify things but I think that also comes from getting comments about being "too young" to be in a wheelchair or that I don't look like I need one (whatever that is supposed to mean). The number of people who don't listen though when I say I don't need help after they offer or who just grab my chair and start moving me is almost greater than the number of people who don't try and help! I need to get better in putting my foot down on this vs caving and just letting them help

One thing I would add this year; driving proficiency course for wheelchair pushers. My disability is hemiplegia - which means when I use a wheelchair I can't push it myself - and for storage reasons and the fact I don't use one full time having an electric wheelchair is not feasible - and so I have to rely on others to push me. But there are certain people I don't want pushing me (but I don't always have a choice.) because they just don't understand that pushing someone in a wheelchair isn't the same as, say, pushing a shopping trolley. I struggle with anxiety and stress at the best of times, but it is overload when certain people are pushing me in my wheelchair. I would love there to be some kind of (for want of a better word) training so they get not only some idea of the dod or don'ts; and how to listen to the person in the chair. But also what it is like to be in the chair.

I have an invisible disability, and I don't feel shy at all about using disabled restrooms & parking spaces. Both I & my doctor know I need them, so i don't really give a hoot what others think. No one has confronted me on it yet, but I'm ready if they do. I'll either be not in the mood to explain, so I won’t; or I'll explain & they'll wish they hadn’t asked, lol. I have a pelvic neurological condition, which actually effects most of my body; so they'll get plenty of TMI, lol.

I can always tell when someone is genuine coming out of the toilet. The ones who aren't go over the top. One woman opened the door wide and kinda bowed at me like I was a medieval king. Then had a rant because I didn't thank her for it. I was still using crutches at that point fwiw The questioning your needs goes with ambulant wheelchair users too. People always get huffy when they see me walk to or from the back of the car.

I want bathroom stalls with occupied/available indicators. If I’m not in my wheelchair I still can’t bend to see if there’s feet under the door.

As a person who started out with my disabilities being invisible, which then turned into very visible disabilities over the years. I have dealt with and heard about everything I think I could. Add to that the fact that I use a service dog you wouldn’t believe I mean the crap I dealt with over access issues and just plain out people who hate dogs or animals of any kind.

Ambercrombi and fitch doesn't want anyone who is disabled or overweight in any way. They like young perfect people 😠

when i was at uni, i had extra time and a scribe in my exams, we called this "access arrangements" which I think is the most appropriate term imo

self service tills would be so helpful for me as an autistic person who massively struggles with interacting with strangers , but i am also a wheelchair user and i have never found one that is low enough for me to use it's super annoying!

I am going to join you in responding with “I’m nearly 40”. If I’m with my friends the looks on their faces will be amazing! Plus it might shut a few of the giggling idiots up.

Thank you for raising this topic. I often do feel guilty using it because no one would know that I have a muscular deficit just looking at me - but I do need the grab bars in accessible stalls to get up from the toilet.

Next time someone says can I have a go just tell them what I tell them, want my wheelchair or parking space, then take my disabilities

I’m short and even I don’t like it when shops put clothes up really high. Makes me not want to shop there and I’m not even in a wheelchair.

💯😘❣️ Personally, I wanna leave bad habits behind. Socially, I'd like us to leave behind the way children are often viewed; the disregard for their autonomy, especially bodily autonomy; disregard of their wishes and needs as "childish"... And I'd like to include any group that has extra challenges (whether it be black kids having their afros touched) as well as any group oftentimes infantilized (such as disabled people - a lot of which you've already touched on in your list in much more detail). Anyway, it's time for bed. Thanks for another good video! 😊 Have a wonderful 2024, anyone reading this!! ❤

Did not know hot water bottles had expiry dates! Gonna check mine. Thanks for the tip.

Before becoming an able wheelchair user, I had to use the accessible stalls because of the massive tumours in my belly. The regular stalls didn't allow me to maneuver in there to clean myself. One time a lady said, "Well, if you ever decide to lose weight, maybe you wouldn't have to hold up that stall for those who actually need it!" Well, I did lose weight, thanks to finally getting the surgery to remove like 30 pounds of tumours from my abs and between my legs, thank you very much! All I have to say is Karma is a bag! Lol! I want to leave behind in 2023, like all other years is that the pre-judgement of people onto others who are disabled. My favourite thing I received for Christmas was a set of Japanese knives with tapered, rounded handles. They fit my hands like a glove! I finally feel in control of my blade and do not feel like the blade is going to turn in my hand. But I am truly blessed with the lessons I learn in 2023, Thank you for another great video, Happy New Year to you all! 🥰❤