I read this interesting article today about "passing privilege". I have rheumatoid arthritis as well as a myriad of other auto immune diseases. This is a disability. At times I have been in a wheelchair because my hips, legs and feet hurt too much. I have not been able to walk more than a block and just getting out of bed is excruciating. I can't open a jar or a wrapper because my hands are too painful. Getting a cold or flu can turn into something much more serious if I don't take care of myself.
But when you look at me, you would not know that I have a disability. I look like a regular person on the outside. I don't yet have crooked fingers or toes. I don't have a hunched back that some people think of when they think of people with arthritis. I don't walk with a cane or walker (yet).
This is called "passing privilege". I am disabled but I don't look disabled. I am able to "pass" for a non-disabled person. My friends and family know and are wonderful at assisting me when it becomes necessary.
For years when I was working at a company, I was terrified to tell people that I had RA. I didn't want anyone to say "I needed a pass because I was sick" or that "I didn't need to work as hard because I was sick". Instead I worked harder than anyone there. Overcompensating and probably making me sicker. I told my boss (who was a certified nurse) and her response was "you don't look sick". Hence the name of my blog! That stopped me from telling others at the company.
Once I started my own company, I decided I was not going to keep quiet about RA. I wasn't going to advertise and put it on my website or anything but I would talk about RA if it came up. If anyone talked about being ill or having an auto immune disease, I would share my story. It is amazing how many people open up about their medical issues once they hear my story. I am no longer afraid to open up and explain what RA is and how it effects me. But I almost always hear, you don't look like you have RA.
I decided that if I lost a client because they thought I was too sick with RA, it would be their ignorance and their loss. I have never lost a client and instead I have very caring clients especially when I am ill.
I still have "passing privilege" about my disability but I try to use it to educate people when I can.
Today I went to my Occupational Therapy appointment for my wrist and arm. Arnold was super nice. He wants me to do these exercises 5 times a day for two weeks. Then I go back. By then my wrist should be healed. Then I will be ready for therapy.
Until tomorrow...
