If you've been on the receiving end of being underestimated by others over the years, it may be a hard pill to swallow. Others thinking I had less ability than I had, has always been my biggest bug bear. It was assumed because I had a disability that made me incapable.
People with Disabilities are often Misrepresented
People often underestimate those with disabilities, and we are frequently misrepresented. If others had taken the time to understand my disability and work with me, they would have seen my true abilities instead of making assumptions. Despite my struggles with learning, what I needed was support—encouragement to discover alternative ways to learn—not judgment or criticism. I needed guidance, not opinions and condemnation.
Understanding Physical, Mental and Emotional Disabilities
Understanding physical, mental and emotional disabilities means recognising both our struggles and the support we need—without judgment. My experiences reflect the realities of human behaviour. When there is a lack of understanding about what we go through, it becomes easier for others to overlook our true abilities.
I've had people underestimate me pretty much my entire life. But you should see the look in their eyes when I make success from scratch.
Does that sound familiar to you, Ilana?
Thanks Tim, it sound familiar. It's also a human failing. When anyone becomes a success, overnight they become a threat to those who feel they are not as successful.
What I find sad is that we should all be pulling together. We should be happy for anyone who meets with success, even if we haven't achieved a level of success for ourselves.
Although it took me years to find success having been written off, I wasn't unhappy for others to have their own success.
Now of course, having reached success for myself, I couldn't be happier with my achievements. I shouldn't have to really defend myself or my success. Others should be proud and happy for us.
Yes, people have always underestimated my abilities, so it's no wonder I didn't think much of my abilities or myself, for the longest time either.
I'm sure that's why I get annoyed when people treat me like I'm stupid, when I know I'm definitely not, considering what I can do if I really put my mind to it.
The hardest part is that people don't believe we have any issues to begin with, since they can't see them. They don't know how to deal with the issues, they don't believe we have.
What it comes down to is that they really don't care anyway. It would just be great if we were treated like everyone else and our issues weren't always used against us.
Thanks Randy. Yes, when you say, 'it would just be great if we were treated like everyone else and our issues weren’t always used against us,' I think that's the problem.
Our issues are always used against us. Others would rather use our issues against us, than deal with their own issues. It's just the way that works.
You've highlighted a big problem, not only in families, but in society as a whole. We're not learning our lessons, we're not learning to get along.