What should I say

[campari]

I am in my 40's and I've had a spinal cord infarct,(blood clot in the spine. very rare) that has left me with a limp and very limited dexterity in both hands. I am very often asked if I've had an accident when people see me walking or when I'm paying for something the cashier invariably asks if I have arthritis. I tend to say that I've a stroke, which is easier to explain, this often embarrasses people and they become very uncomfortable, and blabber on about it's usually older people who have stokes. Now here's the thing, should I just agree with them or what..........I don't like having to explain myself or making people feel bad what do think would be my best response. Thanks

[Ethel]

I too have a rare illness that nobody has heard of, and it is clearly visible to all that there is something not right. (Myasthenia gravis).
Like you it is hard to explain in a short sentence and at times I don't know what to say. If I say I have an auto-immune disease people think of AIDs; if I say a problem with my nervous system they think it is psychiatric.

I just tend to say I'm not well an hopefully I'll be better soon, if it is just casual encounters like shop staff.

[bednobs]

i always get "oh you're young to have blah" or sometimes "thats really terrible" to which i just usually mentally think "I KNOW"!!!!
I have yet to find a satifactory way of answering so look forward to the replies. I like ethels idea

[sqad617]

Hi campari.....I would just say that I have had a stroke.

Interesting and rare conditon, did they say what caused it?

[mandimoo]

it can get very tedious telling the same story over and over again cant it? it drove me bonkers when i had my arm in plaster having to explain to all and sundry what had happened. campari, in your situation i think i would end up saying - "oh i have a problem with my spine, too boring to go into details". hopefully this would convey to them its the end of the subject as far as you are concerened, but you have not been rude.

[sara3]

aren't people nosy, to ask such things?

my ex had a stroke when he was 33 and we had lots of looks/questions. to be honest, I'd be tempted to tell them to mind their own business!

Ethel has it about right. I think I'd say "it's along story which I won't bore you with" and hope they got the message.