• Zloubida@lemmy.world
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    6 months ago

    Not all handicaps are visible. I know someone, quite young (mid-30s) and very healthy-looking. But she has a bad tension: if she stays standing for too long, it’s very uncomfortable and she may even faint. Older people feel entitled to take her seat and don’t understand when she refuse.

    • scoobford@lemmy.zip
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      6 months ago

      Shit, I’ve been this person since I was a teen. My BP drops like a rock in the heat, if I’m out in the summertime, I really can’t stand in place for more than a couple of minutes.

      Generally it isn’t an issue because there’s enough seats to go around (and I don’t live somewhere with public transit), but I’ve had one or two less than pleasant conversations when on vacation.

      • SomeoneElse@lemmy.ca
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        6 months ago

        I’ve never heard it called “bad tension” but I have POTS (postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome) which fits your symptoms. I can’t maintain my blood pressure when I stand still (or if I get too hot, bend down, lift my arms over my head, eat a big meal…) my heart rate skyrockets to try to compensate and I ultimately faint.

        I was diagnosed in 2012 and they’re still tweaking my medication to try and get it right. For most people it starts in their teenage years and they “outgrow” it within 5 years. For me it’s second to moderately severe Ehlers Danlos Syndrome, there’s no outgrowing it. I can’t go anywhere that requires more than a short walk from the car to a seat - queues are literally my enemy - so I use a wheelchair. The amount of dirty looks I get when I get out of my wheelchair to move to a more comfortable seat, or to go to the toilet etc are awful! Not only are a lot of disabilities invisible but not everyone who uses a wheelchair can’t walk at all. Grrrr!