Not old yet still vulnerable

[Golden87]

Hi I’m 33 and fit and healthy with good bloods however I have sero negative RA. I take the tocilizumab biologic to treat my arthritis so I’m now classed as vulnerable. I live on my own and have been WFH last week. I went shopping early the Other day at the vulnerable time however I got some very bad looks as people think I’m fine as I don’t look vunerable. I carry my Biologics card wherever I go so I can prove this and for emergency purposes obviously. Just wondered if anyone else had experienced this?

[Heraripley]

I'm 38 and get it all the time! The invisible disabilty thing is really hard and people associate Arthritis with older people. At the moment I'm hobbling around with a stick because I still haven't found the right drug treatment but when I'm going through a better phase and my main issue is fatigue, I feel really self conscious using my scooter or disabled parking and thinking people will think I'm lying. It's hard because we don't want to be defined by our disease but then we need to tell people we have it for them to understand our limits etc

Anyway try not to let them bother you, people should know not to judge and particularly at this time of crisis should be showing empathy and humanity. Hope you are surviving OK xx

[Morigan]

I am 38. I haven't tried using the vulnerable slot at the shop but since diagnosis been judged many times... I was really struggling right before diagnosis walking was a lot of pain so was standing so would take a seat on the bus not everyone liked it. Had some issues at work too. People just don't get it and it's hard to blame them pain is invisible.

Just try to ignore them. Take care of yourself and do what's best for you! 🖤

[helixhelix]

You need something like this

cafepress.co.uk/mf/99597367...

Or maybe make a big badge that says “I may not be old but I am high risk”

[Golden87 in reply to helixhelix]

I love that!

[medway-lady]

I've not done any shopping so don't know but thought would take letter from Renal Hospital as that is primary to the RA and even passport as don't have a photo driving license. I think they should ask for proof as around her they are reports of gangs of young people going and intimidating other shoppers and staff. I suppose it needs the government to pass emergency legislation to ask for id to enforce it otherwise it will be abused and not just here.

[Hidden]

We need a bell like the leper’s 😊

[Golden87 in reply to Hidden]

No! Although I do try and educate my friends And team etc about the illness. They can see when I am in pain and they are also learning that some of the side effects e.g lowered immune system are sometimes equally bad or worse that the RA

[Dobcross1]

Must admit I wondered how vulnerable people would be assessed in, say, an elderly and vulnerable shopping hour, when disability isn't immediately obvious.

[Golden87 in reply to Dobcross1]

I know. I’ve seen Morrison’s are doing click and collect near me so I can do that instead I suppose