Assumptions People Make That Will Help Me "Feel Better"

When I was talking with Professor Laura Hudgens about OCD on episode 11 of Digital Activism, we talked briefly about things people say to us when they make assumptions about things that will make us "feel better". For Laura, she mentioned that people would just tell her to "quit thinking about it" when she was dealing with an obsession.

I wanted to give a few things that people say to me and why it doesn't work like they assume.

1. "Just exercise to get stronger" - While this seems logical and ideal, it is not possible. In fact, if I exercise and get fatigued, my body cannot regenerate the energy and I'll be weaker.

2. "Just rest to regain energy" - This can be true for me, but not always. Sometimes, I can nap or sleep longer and I will feel more rested, but I also have chronic fatigue and it can be more severe sometimes. Resting will help, but it doesn't always fix my fatigue.

3. "Pray for healing" - This used to give me mixed feelings as someone who was very religious growing up. However, now it just makes me angry. I do not need to be healed. If you are going to pray for me, don't pray for my disability to go away, pray for something positive, like that I pass Capstone and graduate. I have been stopped in stores, restaurants, and parking lots by strangers who grab my hands and start praying for me to be "healed".

I know people usually mean well, but it is disrespectful and offensive to say things like this. When I was younger, I would ignore these comments, but now I will correct and educate the person. I encourage everyone to listen to the disabled person when they say that they can or cannot do something. Do not try to give them "solutions" if they express that they're tired, weak, or any other issues.

Has anyone made assumptions about you that was completely wrong?