As someone with mild CP, some rambling thoughts:
I literally thought everyone’s muscles hurt and were tight all the time and it was worse with movement. I was just like that’s how muscles are. This was furthered by some stuff my mom told me but it was based on the fact that this was all I’d ever experienced and people would be like oh my legs hurt after a run etc.
In part because of this, and the ways my family downplayed/dismissed/ignored my disability, I constantly have the “am I faking it am I really disabled” even though the answer is YES.
Even though if I’m in the cold for too long all my muscles seize to the point I collapse. Even though I’ve since learned my muscle pain after any kind of exercise is Way Worse than able-bodied people’s muscle pain from the same exercise. Even though there are countless things I cannot do, or am just straight shit at no matter how much I try. Even though I hate going out for long periods of time in the city or other places without a car because my muscles might decide to quit and then I NEED to sit down but there isn’t anywhere to sit down.
Your brain is going to tell you you’re not actually disabled or you don’t deserve to identify as disabled because there are people who have more severe disabilities than you do. Your brain is being an asshole, don’t listen.
