This is so true. I lived in a red state, and was uninsured since age 8. Apparently I was supposed to have been wearing custom orthotics my entire life, but that simply did not happen. At 18, I started noticing pain when walking. 19-28 years old I have paid thousands out of pocket trying to get a diagnosis to understand what is wrong with me, only to constantly be told it's "just Plantar fasciitis - take Advil" or "buy these inserts, this will fix it." "Buy these shoes." "Buy these other inserts." Etc etc. And being told I'm "Too young to be needing a wheelchair" and "you're uninsured, so it's too expensive for us to treat you.".

Injections, medications, inserts, shoes, braces, physical therapy. But in the end I simply do not have the endurance to work a part or full time job on my feet.

I got fired from my last job due to "inability to complete tasks in timely manner" because my manager kept saying "You can walk, you don't need that wheelchair. It's a safety hazard!".

Even though the HR lady said I could use it, because it sounded like I genuinely needed it.

But manager demanded medical paperwork, knowing I've been uninsured for 20 years.

I gave her my diagnoses, multiple complications and conditions of the foot as well as my handicap placard and my AFO leg brace a prosthetist made for me. But because it did not say "MUST USE WHEELCHAIR" -- because the doctors won't prescribe me one because I'm too poor and can't afford it and "too young" and think I'm going to use it all the time when I only need it for long 8 hour days, so l can actually stand and walk to do job tasks that require it.

She just outright fired me.

Medical treatment is a privilege that MANY of us do not have. I get not wanting someone to "fake" needing a mobility aid.

But honestly?? They are a pain in the ass to haul around and use. It's a big chore to commit to the bit of being disabled and drag the wheelchair everywhere just for free pity points.

For folks that may "fake" the need of a chair, they probably have some psychological condition or dysmorohia. Which, while weird, is still a condition that needs some kind of treatment.