Dealing With People Who Are Ignorant About COPD
I recently had a pretty nasty experience with someone who is ignorant about COPD. They accused me of faking because I am not using oxygen or a walker and claimed I was taking from "people who are genuinely ill". That was very hurtful. They clearly do not understand that someone with mild to moderate COPD can appear "normal" and still have a serious problem. The fact is I am responding well to my treatment; before I started treatment a trip to the bathroom would flatten me. Now, on a good day I can take a walk around the block if I pace myself and take short rest breaks. That person saw me on an exceptionally good day and passed judgement on me based on scant information. I wonder if anyone else has had this kind of experience. I was left speechless.
How awful,
. Sadly, you are not alone in that experience. It happens to many people who have invisible illness, especially though who need handicapped parking, but don't use a walker or wheelchair. Here is an article about invisible illnesses that might interest you: https://copd.net/living/invisible-illness. I hope you don't run into that kind of ignorance often. Sending the best of all wishes your way. - Lori (Team Member) 
I personally do not care what other uninformed folk's opinions are of my condition or use of handicapped facilities.
We live in an age that is 'all about me' and they care little to either be informed or actually care. They simply like to point fingers, complain and go home feeling important.
They are more ticked off that you have a better parking spot than they do, so laugh at them and take time to rub some salt into that wound they created for themselves. Then we can point fingers, laugh, and go home feeling good too.Oh all the time some days I'm down in bed because the air is Yuki or I'm having a bad attack but the days when I'm home in my house not having to use my wheelchair but using oxygen off and on because I'm having a good day some one will come over and usually are very huge mental they have no clue COPD even though I have a lot of bad days and they don't get it when your meds are working the air is clean it feels good to be able to be able to do more that day or week.
My heart goes out to you. Sadly, if a person doesn't live it, they don't see it, unless you are incapacitated. I was working as a cashier at our local pharmacy. An elderly lady (older than me) that I didn't know, said I thought you had COPD. I told her that yes I did. She remarked, "If you have COPD, you would be on oxygen, otherwise you wouldn't be able to breathe". I responded that "I do have COPD. Not everyone in the early stages is on oxygen, thankfully. I told her that she could check it out online, or talk with her doctor. I told her too, that I would be pleased to print out the information". She commented, "I don't need it".
The one thing that we can do is to educate people. We can send a link from COPD.net to them or to print something out and give it to them when we see them. Let them see the information on their time. They might not read it, but in another week they might. If they aren't willing, they won't understand.
Here is an article that I shared here, on COPD.net. with those that I wanted to understand this disease. Each of us understands our own family and friends, to a degree anyway. So do what you see fit.
https://copd.net/living/letter-to-my-family
I'm glad that you came to share. Know that we are here for you.
Janet (Team)
Thank you so much I was looking for a place to talk about my frustration and advise on what I should do living hear is hard not because it's a rural area but the doctor really have a lot of patience and don't really explain anything and don't really check on anything you kind of have to keep reminding them what the results of your test are before they do anything but I think I finally got my general doctor to at least helping me get the medical supplies and mobility devices I need I thank you for helping me
