Hip Dysplasia-No it isn't just found in DOGS!

Reaction of any Random Person throughout my life to whom I have mentioned that I have the condition called hip dysplasia : "REALLY??? I thought only DOGS got that?" OR "You mean, like what DOGS get when they are OLD?" or one of my all time favorites has to be "I had a German Shepherd named Lady and she had hip dysplasia and we had to put her down"

GEE THANKS King/Queen of tact!  It never ceases to amaze me the amount of absolute ignorance people display when it comes to things they don't understand about an illness/condition. Especially when it is one that the person who is affected (ME) doesn't necessarily broadcast it or wear it as a badge of honor or part of their persona, i.e. ( Debbie the Diabetic-Laura with the Lisp-Hannah with the Hunchback).  It is also very surprising to me,that in these times of so much  political correctness being driven down our throats at every turn, awareness ribbons, and a cause bracelet for just about any and everything that comes down the pike, that people find it so easy to compare what I have just said about a physical struggle to that of a dog. Furthermore, to then trivialize it and sort of belittle it by doing so? Don't get me wrong, I am sure I will get more than a few comments from my friends and fellow animal lovers out there. I am also expecting a little bit of push back from the "well they just didn't know what they were saying" or "They didn't really mean it that way"  

Well, sometimes it really isn't what you say-but HOW you say it that can be hurtful. Kind of like when a coworker comes up to me and says (THIS REALLY HAPPENED RECENTLY) "WOW-You look like you are walking like you have a peg leg"...HMMM How to deal with this one at 7:48am??? I just smiled and said "I have hip dysplasia and I feel a storm coming on-I hope the Pirates don't have a rain delay" 

I am not saying it is bad to ask questions or show concern. Ask questions. Show concern for your fellow human. But please, don't just think about what you might want to hear. Maybe think of a loved one and think of how you would want that person to be spoken to or treated. Just a simple statement asking if someone is okay, or if you fear they may be embarrassed just tell them you are concerned that they look as if they are struggling in some way. 

With regard to our four-legged friends I totally get that it may have been the only time that many people have heard of the affliction or had experience with it. However, if a human is telling you that they are struggling with this diagnosis, it is very different and thankfully we have other options besides being "put down"

It is hard to live with chronic pain-It is even harder when you try to hide it and put on a brave face. So on those days when you see someone limping, dragging, or just not quite how you may be used to seeing them move around, it may be a day when their pain levels won out over their ability to cover it up. 

Countdown Until Surgery: 16 Days

~DRIVE SLOW~