Is it Rude to Ask Someone About Their Disability?

I have Congenital Hydrocephalus. and I'm not afraid to say it because I'm not ashamed of it. Saying that, I went through Disability/SSI and I went to college with my favorite girl ever Maple, my Service Dog. She was two when I got her. She was a Golden Retriever. She got to go everywhere with me. The beach, she got to go actually ON the rides at Disney World, into restaurants, she even went to college with me! We were inseparable. People in college said her name first THEN my name. For example instead of Jake and Maple people said Maple and Jake. haha Because she was the only dog on campus. Yeah, you can say we were pretty well known around campus. My point of this is is it rude or illegal to ask someone their disability? Shouldn't you already tell if they have a disability if someone has a service animal? I mean many, MANY people asked me on campus what my disability was because I don't "look" like I have any. That's because all my disabilities are pretty much to do with my brain. But I am off balance a bit. That's why I have Maple for support. She's actually quite small for a Golden Retriever, according to what her trainer told me, she's only 60 lbs. But the way she braces is very strong 💪. So, I'm just wondering if other people get asked if they have disabilities and if so how do you take it? Are you offended? Or do you think they are truly just curious?

Your answer

TheJubilantJake

1y ago

It's alright. 👍 I didn't really get it from anyone. I was born with Hydrocephalus, so really it's called Congenital Hydrocephalus to me, unlike others. "Congenital" meaning "born with". The disease is rare but not contagious (as people highly mistaken it as). Congenital Hydrocephalus occurs 1 out of every 1,000 newborns.

Tomatoface

1y ago

no, that’s not what I was asking. I know what it means bc I have the same thing. I was asking how you got disability from reporting CH

Tomatoface

1y ago

Well maybe ppl can ask something like “does your dog serve you (or do you train it?” Also side note: From what I know, it’s rare to be on disability with only hydrocephalus…wondering if you struggled with getting it/how you got it. (You don’t have to say if you don’t want to. Was just curious)

Ona

2y ago

Yes we are all equal. gender, race nor age should tell us any different from what we can all do. Have a disability shouldn’t stop us from moving forward. I understand that some of us can’t enjoy everyday activities like playing sports or video games. But at least make the best of it. I’m not supposed to be playing sports but I don’t find it annoying because I don’t even like sports so I don’t have any problem with that. But I do know that some people. Have a hard time watching others enjoy that freedom. We think that we feel alone. But remember we’re not the only one’s with the same problem. There are others just like us and and that’s the joy I love to see. ♥️ my nephew Aj have the condition just like me. I thought that I was going to be alone. But when he came into my life as my little nephew I was so happy that I wasn’t alone. And I had some one to talk to about my problems . 😭❤️😇 but sadly he passed away 2 years ago. I mean don’t get me wrong but he’s in a better world.

Ona

2y ago

You have an amazing supporter 😁❤️. And no I don’t really get offended. About my disability. But I want to go back and work at Walmart and the hiring manager asked me. If I can maintain my disability. I mean yes I can and no I’m not harming anyone nor myself with my disability. So I kinda felt offended. Because their policy says if you have a disability they would put you under as disabled. So asking anyone if they can maintain that disability is kinda rude. And if you feel like your being attack by it. Then you shouldn’t hire anyone in the situation nor should you have that as your policy. But you’re just asking by curiosity then I guess there’s nothing wrong with that.

TheJubilantJake

2y ago

Okay. I can understand people asking when I was in college. I went to Southeastern University in Lakeland, Florida and I'm now an alumni. (I'm 28 almost 29 in less than a month). It was a Christian college so they were just probably asking out of curiosity, right? But then I get those other people out of college whom I know are asking to be rude and snobbish. ...When I went to training, I believe my trainer told me I was allowed to work anywhere I wanted even with a service dog. But I was not like the other people in training class. The other people in my training class were in wheelchairs. I am able bodied and can walk, eat, get things, reach for, etc on my own. That's not what my SD was for. I would absolutely get offended if my employer asked if I can "maintain my disability." I mean, what the hell? We all are equal, right? That's what we were taught unless our teachers were lying to us.

The content in this post is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.

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