Does it tick you off?

[leonardhughes]

People can be so oblivious to how harsh Lupus can be. When you try to explain why your lifestlye has changed, and that you are dealing with a major illness. Or you get the "Men get Lupus" line, and they assume it can be as bad as "Women's Lupus". When you tell them you are sick, they don't understand you truly mean it.

[Tom]

I think it's hard to explain something that's practically invisible. Then add in that it's hard to relate to something you have never experienced yourself. I think most people look for physical proof. It's easier to for them to understand a wheelchair than something that is only visable if you recognise the signs. Normal people don't see the pain we have to live with, and pain pills mask the true strength we fight every day. We are mistaken for being lazy and odd, but they can't see the inner battle day in and day out that wears us down physically and emotionally.

I gave up trying to explain this disease to most people because I just waste my time trying to make someone understand what I'm going through. In the end, they still won't understand anyway. I do what I can and that's good enough for me since I'm the one that lives with it, not them.

That's what makes this site so important to us. It's being able to talk with those who DO understand and can relate to what we go through. I'm very thankful for this site and all the great people I've met here. style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/Thanx.gif

[jjoyl]

style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/umm.gif I have to say the worst time for me was when I went to the store while I was having an attack of pain and I went to get one of the electric buggies because there was no way I could walk the store. This lady turned towards me and said for me to get out of the buggy that i didn't need it. i said excuse me what did you say and she then says you young lady are just being lazy and that older lady there needs the buggy. The older lady she was talking about had on high healed shoes and was about 70 or so. I am 27 and was not in the mood to play so i looked at her and said well i guess the other lady will have to sit and wait for the next buggy just like everyone else as for you, you can go to **** with your asumptions of me. and i went on to do my shopping.

[Douglas]

> you can go to he** with your asumptions of me. and i went on to do my shopping.

All I can say is "Well done!" I fear I would have either 1) burst into tears (unbecoming in a man my age), or 2) indulged in a quick act of homicide (unbecoming in a priest). I am sometimes amazed at "man's inhumanity to man."