I can somewhat relate

I can somewhat relate to David and Monica. I myself have a disability, but mine is physical, not mental. I can relate to having, sometimes, over protective family members, and others assuming to know what life is like for you when they have no idea.

My mom had the same disability and my dad was not disabled, trust me, with my parents, I was definitely not sheltered and had the same expectations put on me like any other child. Through other issues I ended up living with my grandparens in my teen years. My grandma, God love her, is the over protective one and assumes my life is "so hard" which frustrates me to no end. I've had to prove to her what I can do when in reality no one should have to prove anything but live for themself.

I am a college graduate, have my own apartment, travel all over the country, yet, for some, I have to prove that I am a socially equal member of society. There have been a few times when people have spoken to me as if I did not have a brain in my head and I was this person taking up space.

I have no issue with my disability and my life is pretty good for the most part. I feel even if I did not have my disability I would still be doing the same things in life, with the same educational opportunities, same friends, same boyfriend, etc.

Sometimes the hardest thing about having a disability, whether physical or mental, is not the disability itsself but other people's assumptions and how we're treated by them.

I've learned never to feel sorry for others who have a disability, as for all I know, they could be very successful people, more so than myself. It is not fair to them to have pity when there is no reason to. I've also learned through my experiences to never assume to know what another person's life is like. What you think is "hard or a struggle" is actually normal for them and not hard.

People with disabilities don't need sympathy, pity, or assumptions, instead we just want to be treated like everyone else. Different doesn't mean less than...