A Girl With a Hidden Disability Didn’t Give Up Her Seat to an Elderly Woman and Now Feels Guilty

The girl explained, “A few years ago, I lost my left leg in an accident and have been using a prosthetic ever since. It’s advanced, so when I wear long pants, it looks like I have two normal legs. I usually wear long pants because I’m uncomfortable showing my prosthetic.

I can do most things, but balancing on trains and buses is still hard. One day, I was sitting in a seat reserved for disabled people. A woman demanded I move, thinking I didn’t need it. I told her I did, but she got mad and brought the conductor. Tired of the situation, I rolled up my pant leg, showed my prosthetic, and refused to move. The woman turned red and got off at the next stop.

I could’ve mentioned my prosthetic earlier, but it’s a sensitive topic, and I hate drawing attention to it. It’s unfortunate that many disabled people, like me, feel pressured to prove their disability before being believed. Others have shared similar stories of being judged for not looking disabled enough. It’s sad that people can’t just apologize and move on when they’re wrong.”