We are home from our Alaska adventure. I need to catch my breath before I blog about it but this has been grating on me all day and I wanted to share. I can't believe how rude people can be about my disability. Travel can be very hard for me. I walk very slow and unsteady. I can't walk far without significant back pain...and stairs just aren't happening. I can usually not let people's stares and comments get to me...until today on our way home.
We booked transfers to the airport which means the cruise line has a bus we ride from the cruise terminal to the airport. There were 7 steps to get into the bus. It was about 1/2 full already. The first few rows were reserved for handicapped. I didn't sit there because there are lots of elderly people on the cruise and lots of people with walking aids. I figured once I struggled up the stairs, it would be okay to sit wherever. Well a guy looked at me super concerned and said "Why don't you sit there (pointing to the handicapped seats). You look like you are in pain." This was very sweet and I explained someone might need it more than me but thank you. Then a woman called out "Hey I'm handicapped. My feet are swollen!" Turns out this woman was sitting in front of us on the bus. I thought that was sure rude. Of course, we sat in the bus baking without air conditioning and the sun streaming in the big windows. They were the biggest complainer couple and had nothing but treachery and despair to discuss. After sitting there listening, I decided they are just generally unpleasant, ignorant, and rude people. I won't tell you the nasty things that went through my head that I wanted to say to her. I do hope her feet stay swollen for 6 weeks and she ruins all her shoes.
Having an invisible disability is tough. I am positive I would be treated better if I was in a wheelchair....although I still think people will just think I'm fat. Bastards.
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