UNSEEN DISABILITIES

[Rukpub]

[Chupaca]

I have a disability that as long as I am strapped into a series of contraptions look normal and can move about normal for a spell. Without it or after a few hours I'm done. Maybe why I love my Spyder, 'cause it is one place I can be for hours with the only off time being to eat and fuel up... for pointing this out, before I got this way, I was one sneering at abled looking folks using handicap parking etc.... now I know better...

[ARtraveler]

Thanks for posting your video. I can relate to all that you have said.

[Bob Denman]

Thanks for the video, and I admire your spirit!

[philblumenfeld]

You don't see my depression and PTSD, but it's there.

[debbiepalamar]

I have a knee that will eventually need to be replaced. I look perfectly fine, but sometimes I have given it all just to shop. I get dirty looks when I don't put the cart in the corral that's across the parking lot.

Now that I have my Spyder, I have a lot of people saying that they would NEVER ride one of them. When I explain that I have a bad knee and also suffered tendon damage to my left wrist, most of them agree that I have found a good solution. What bothers me are the few who look down their noses at my and say that they would rather not ride. People don't realize how much this hurts. I wish I was back on two wheels, too. Why can't they just be supportive?

Thanks for your video.

[Rukpub]

I have a knee that will eventually need to be replaced. I look perfectly fine, but sometimes I have given it all just to shop. I get dirty looks when I don't put the cart in the corral that's across the parking lot.

Now that I have my Spyder, I have a lot of people saying that they would NEVER ride one of them. When I explain that I have a bad knee and also suffered tendon damage to my left wrist, most of them agree that I have found a good solution. What bothers me are the few who look down their noses at my and say that they would rather not ride. People don't realize how much this hurts. I wish I was back on two wheels, too. Why can't they just be supportive?

Thanks for your video.

Unfortunately some can't see beyond their own selfishness: for example although I have the disabled label on my spyders tag one angry person kept telling me your riding a motorcycle as implying there is nothing wrong with me. He wanted the space so bad he called a security guard. I even explained my condition but he did not want to here it. So I geared up and rode on saddened by the selfishness of some people.

[Peter Aawen]

Thanks for your vid Rukpub.

I too, am one of the 'unseen disabled' and I too have been given grief simply because I 'don't look disabled' when I've been using the disabled facilities that are pretty much the only things (besides my Spyder that is, my Hi-speed Mobility Scooter!) that let me get out amongst it these days!! That does tend to annoy me a little, as generally the people dishing that sort of crap have absolutely no idea about the amount of ongoing sweat & pain that goes into me living my life as 'normally' as possible; nor are they aware that I 'acquired' my current 'disabilities' & injuries thru serving them & my country - but I do try to keep in mind that they can't really know that just by looking at me; & besides, it's THEIR problem, not mine! If they hafta go thru life being that petty & ignorant all the time then they must really lead pretty miserable lives - and I'm not going to let their behaviour towards me drag me down to their level of ignorance & intolerance!

[Bob Denman]

I try to remember to forgive them, for their ignorance...
It makes me feel better.
(Over 50 years of Type I Diabetes, with all of the possible complications from it.)

[Musashi]

Loved reading this thread! Thanks for your stories. I've been totally and permanently disabled for over a decade due to a line of duty head, neck, spine injury in the military. Folks observing me casually would never suspect, thanks to 10 long, hard years of rehab, some awesome docs and therapists, and the Good Lord's mercy. Without a Can Am Spyder, I can't ride anymore. Brave to y'all for keeping on keeping on!

[Habib]

Thanks for the video, best ride I've had all winter.

I've always hated whiners and don't like pointing out my problems but ****, their just medical. I can't breath without extra oxygen. Joints are shot should have had a knee years ago and the ankle worked on but the doc says I can't handle it being on blood thinners and I can barely bend over and lift up my shoes let alone a 2 wheeler. Type2 diabetes. Faint a lot if I don't breath right and have the scars to prove it . To get from the front door to the Spyder (10') I have to stop and rest three times even with air. I figured 70 would be a different life and it is, but just different than I thought. So, if I don't make many of the events I would like to go to it's cause I need a bit of help now and then and I burden my wife enough I won't do it to any others out trying to have a good time. I'll just wait for good weather and keep putting the miles on the Spyder, I love that damn thing.

[MR. H1956]

Loved reading this thread! Thanks for your stories. I've been totally and permanently disabled for over a decade due to a line of duty head, neck, spine injury in the military. Folks observing me casually would never suspect, thanks to 10 long, hard years of rehab, some awesome docs and therapists, and the Good Lord's mercy. Without a Can Am Spyder, I can't ride anymore. Brave to y'all for keeping on keeping on!

Thank you and all the other vets out there for your service. May some of these people that are ignorant to others disabilities wake up and try to get more informed about what really goes on in the world. And not just what they see in their own little world. Thank again.

[debbiepalamar]

That's horrible.

[thereverend]

Thanks for recognizing those of us with unseen disabilities, I have a pulmonary disorder and can relate.

[sealfloorboards]

This is the third time I've read this entire thread over the past few months. Today, as in past readings, I'm still in awe at some of the obstacles we can overcome. Hy hat's off to all my enabled friends. Life may not have played out like we expected, but I see an awful lot of "Lemonade" out there rather than "Lemons". Bless you all.
Ride in comfort,
John

[Two cats]

This is the third time I've read this entire thread over the past few months. Today, as in past readings, I'm still in awe at some of the obstacles we can overcome. Hy hat's off to all my enabled friends. Life may not have played out like we expected, but I see an awful lot of "Lemonade" out there rather than "Lemons". Bless you all.
Ride in comfort,
John

Thanks my friend. Our lives May change. But our spirit prevails over our trials and tribulations. Ride Safe Happy Trails.

[sylvester]

Just ad the same thing done in June wen for a short ride monday my eight weeks of healing was up so away i go can't stop living fir a little thing like that .Survived 7 heart attacks, thanks for sharing will ride till i absolutely can't any more hang in there

[Krystal]

I always worry about this When my husband parks in disabled parking spaces. My husband has afib, COPD, and has just had bypass surgery so he can't drive at all for one month or drive a Spyder for 3 months. He had a previous heart attack and gets tired quickly and short of breath walking long distances. But he looks normal, so people don't always see the disability. Just happy he will still be able to enjoy riding with me in the future

[wd8ajj]

I have been confronted more than I like to say. Even with a H/C plate on the bike been called a cheat and a few other terms. I have gone thru 29 major surgeries on my legs back hips arms shoulders and #30 happens on the 10th to repaice my Knee and pin into the leg bones due to my bones Die for unknown reason. As long as they can rebuild me I keep on going. Yes a spider has kept me riding and having fun. I even bought a new camper this year, so my "disability" has slowed me down but not stopped me. I agree with all who get tired of people saying you don't look disabled so why are you abusing the system? I did ask one person what a disabled person looked like and he said a few interesting words and walked away. I did one summer when a person wanted to know why I was disabled and didn't look like one I dropped my pants and showed him all my scars. He had nothing to say after that. I laughed all the way home.

[Saluda]

My uncle had 2 major heart attacks (@ 55). Had to live with extreme limitations (hated it). Looking at him he was built like a bull, if not these attacks would have killed him right away. People were never understanding, it did kill him a short time later. God bless and strength to all of you out there with your own issues, whether they show or not. I now completely understand and sympathize because of this.

[ARtraveler]

The third time I have read this from top to bottom now. Thank you all for posting your stories and comments.

[Two cats]

The third time I have read this from top to bottom now. Thank you all for posting your stories and comments.

You are welcome my friend.Happy Trails

[canamjhb]

I, too have read this thread more than once. It is a good reminder for me to keep an open mind open and not judge others. Right now, I am in a walking boot due to surgery. I am still able to ride because the surgery was on my left foot. I did not ask for, or need any special parking. I am able to negotiate the parking lots for any reasonable distance. I want to leave the handicap parking spots for those in need, weather the disability is obvious or not. My condition is temporary. Having experienced a short term "disability", I have the highest respect for those who live with long term issues and live life to the fullest..... Ride on..... Jim

[Two cats]

I, too have read this thread more than once. It is a good reminder for me to keep an open mind open and not judge others. Right now, I am in a walking boot due to surgery. I am still able to ride because the surgery was on my left foot. I did not ask for, or need any special parking. I am able to negotiate the parking lots for any reasonable distance. I want to leave the handicap parking spots for those in need, weather the disability is obvious or not. My condition is temporary. Having experienced a short term "disability", I have the highest respect for those who live with long term issues and live life to the fullest..... Ride on..... Jim

I to want to thank you all for sharing your experiences with us. I have read a lot of these post also. And hope all is going well for you. It's nice that we can share our lives with each Other and know that we have friends that we've not meet to hear about their goings on and see how they have overcome things. So thanks again to you all and let's all keep in touch. Happy Trails Ride Safe, Ride Often my Friends.:

[LeftCoast]

I saw this recently and it impacted me deeply. I don’t think the same way after reading this thread and the saying below:

“BE KIND, for everyone you meet is fighting a battle you know nothing about.”

God bless you all who pave the way for those of us needing inspiration.