My son has Chronic Fatigue and Immune Dysfunction
Syndrome (CFIDS) a.k.a. Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. Most of his symptoms
are invisible, so most people assume things instead of asking.
-
Because of the name of this condition, they
assume he is just tired and needs more sleep.
-
Because he is intelligent, they assume he is
lazy in school.
-
Because his short term memory is not good, they
assume that he forget things because he really doesn't care.
-
Because he's not coughing, they assume that
he doesn't have asthma and he isn't sick (even though he has active levels
of EBV and CMV in his system).
-
Because he doesn't always need to use
his wheelchair, they assume he's faking.
-
Because he's not crying in front of them, they
assume he isn't hurting.
-
Because he's quiet, they assume he's shy.
-
Because he puts his head down, they assume he's
asleep.
-
Because they know very little about CFIDS, they
assume that what worked for their brother's friend's sister's mother's
uncle will work for my son.
-
Because he's sick...they leave him alone to
deal with the symptoms when they're the most severe.
-
Because they leave him to deal with it alone...
they REALLY have no clue what this disease has done to his life.
Please, please, please be careful about making
assumptions. My son, and I'm sure many other children with 'hidden' disabilities,
have been hurt by the results! Thanks, Shanon |
