Hi there,
I think a lot of this type of reaction is people really not knowing what it is about.
To be fair, lupus etc. are really difficult for even the most interested to understand. That in no way excuses adults behaving like nasty kids in primary school.
I had a colleague who basically told me outright that I needed to see a shrink because my illness was in my head (this was before diagnosis). I ended up in tears in my car (that being the only place I could hide).
I hated her for that, just couldn't be in the same room as her. So everytime I saw her after, if she asked how I was, I would smile brightly (even if it almost killed me) and say fine!! then limp off in the other direction.
To her credit, I sent a copy of the "letter to normals" to my colleagues for lupus awareness month last October and she obviously read it as she has completely changed and has now become one of the most understanding people I know. She sends me work to do at home but never stresses me, never wants it quickly and on my rare visits to their office takes time out to know how I am etc.
Anyway, I think the best way to deal with such things is with humour if possible and then, at other times, a little education doesn't go amiss, easy to say I know, as these things really hurt!
hugs to you :hug:
Katharine
I think a lot of this type of reaction is people really not knowing what it is about.
To be fair, lupus etc. are really difficult for even the most interested to understand. That in no way excuses adults behaving like nasty kids in primary school.
I had a colleague who basically told me outright that I needed to see a shrink because my illness was in my head (this was before diagnosis). I ended up in tears in my car (that being the only place I could hide).
I hated her for that, just couldn't be in the same room as her. So everytime I saw her after, if she asked how I was, I would smile brightly (even if it almost killed me) and say fine!! then limp off in the other direction.
To her credit, I sent a copy of the "letter to normals" to my colleagues for lupus awareness month last October and she obviously read it as she has completely changed and has now become one of the most understanding people I know. She sends me work to do at home but never stresses me, never wants it quickly and on my rare visits to their office takes time out to know how I am etc.
Anyway, I think the best way to deal with such things is with humour if possible and then, at other times, a little education doesn't go amiss, easy to say I know, as these things really hurt!
hugs to you :hug:
Katharine
