Thread by @chronicfab

So a weird thing happened to me, today. Walking thru the shops with my cane, I noticed an older woman glaring at me. We made eye contact & she shook her head in disgust, so I gave her a wtf look. As I passed her, she stopped me & said, "That's not a fashion item, you know!"

It took me a moment to realise wtf she meant -- meanwhile, she continued: "SOME ppl actually NEED those and it's extremely disrespectful for you to prance around in public with it, like it's just the latest trend! SHAME on you!"

So it being me, I laughed. How could I not? 🤣

I said, "Why are you assuming I don't actually need it?? Cuz I'm young? Cuz I'm well dressed & wearing makeup? This cane is a mobility aid for me. I'm actually disabled."

Her: *Scoffs* "Suuure you are. And I'm a supermodel."

Me: "Do you expect me to prove it to you?"

Me: "Cuz that is absolutely not happening. My medical history is none of your goddamn business. And frankly, as an actual disabled person, I don't care if ppl use canes as fashion accessories! They're welcome to."

At this point, she resorted to calling me rude, back-chatty, "pig-ignorant" and a "spoilt brat", among other things that indicated that, like most strangers, she thought I was a teenager. So I asked why she was talking to me the way assholes talk to kids, cuz I'm about to turn 30

Again, she accused me of lying, so again, I told her that NONE of this was ANY of her fucking business in the first place & to fuck right off, before pushing past her and walking away.

She yelled after me, but I wasn't listening.

Wtf is WRONG with ppl?? Why do they think my medical history and personal life are their business?? That they have the right to demand that info of me?? Why are ableds so obsessed with the notion of "fakers" and catching them out?? And why do they never just believe us??