My long term readers know that I suffer from chronic pain. I was in a severe car accident in college that shattered my pelvis and fractured a vertebra. This has left me with permanent lower left sciatic nerve damage, sciatica, arthritis and bursitis. I am a chronic pain patient because I am allergic to the conventional medications used to treat these illnesses. I use a nerve blocker to control my daily pain levels and I also have some low dose narcotics to take when my pain level increases. Its not a terribly effective system, but its all Ive got going for me at this time.
Because I only have limited relief from my pain, I tend to be very cautious with my person. I try to wear comfortable shoes, not do too much physical activity in one day, you know, just be careful with myself. This "carefulness"has me behaving in a very rabid-like fashion when I get around folks who don't know how to treat my body. If someone does something to my person that may cause me discomfort, whether immediately or later on, I usually tell them in a very serious tone that I need them to stop whatever it is they're doing to me. I also explain why this is necessary, but sometimes people don't hear that.
For example, last year at a blogger conference, I was forced to sit on the floor at a party. I made sure to sit somewhere where people weren't walking by. Eventually a very popular male blogger started pacing back and forth behind me, his toes brushing my hips. I was hoping he would move to another part of the room, but he didn't. I eventually told him I needed him to stop, and he said he would move before I could even explain why. After moving, I saw him talking with a female blogger and making kicking motions with his feet. *sigh* Great, misunderstood again.
Hey, its just me being pro-active about my physical well being and if folks don't like it, fcuk 'em. This is the price I pay for my disabilities. If you don't know, I'll have to put you in check.
4 comments:
I hate being misunderstood. I also hate when people don't allow me to clarify the reason(s) for my action(s).
A lot of people do not understand illnesses when they are not obvious and visible. Guys can be jerks, but I bet he didn't know it. Unfortunately, you may have to explain your needs a little more often than you'd like.
@Sippinwineman Oh, this isnt just a guy thing, I pretty much have to explain myself to anyone who tries to touch me, lol.
Some people are assholes.
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