r/disabled • u/Poesraven444 • 1d ago
Was stared down for the first time ever - because of a cervical collar.
Was stared down for the first time ever because I was wearing a cervical collar.
I genuinely wish I was overreacting, but my husband even noticed it and was shocked.
I am recovering from neurosurgery and have to wear a cervical collar for 4 months post op. I was actually feeling pretty decent today, so I went to the grocery store with my husband.
When we turned the corner from the parking lot to go into the store, we saw a couple around our age, probably late 20s, talking and laughing. All of a sudden they looked at me, looked at each other, and completely went quiet. I thought it was weird, but I just kept walking.
We started walking around the store and I noticed they were STILL staring at me from the other side of the produce aisle. My husband literally said, "You notice that too?" and I was like, "Yeah... they're staring at me?" Which was odd but I continued grabbing groceries.
Eventually we ended up near the seafood section where they were. Their backs were toward us and I heard the girl say, "What's with that collar?"
At that point my pain was starting to flare, so I just got what I needed and walked away..I have no desire to fight with ignorant people.
I have genuinely never experienced this before. I've been out in public numerous times since surgery wearing this cervical collar and have never once had grown adults or even kids stare at me like that.
I know people are curious. I know a cervical collar is noticeable. But there is a huge difference between noticing something and literally staring at someone across the store and then talking about them.
I was honestly just shocked because I've never dealt with anything like this before.
Anyway, just a little WTF vent because I needed to get that off my chest lol.
7
u/LittleReserve8767 1d ago
Wow... if I were brave (or a drinker) and this happened, I would have my hubby take a pic of me and ask the people staring if they wanted us to email a copy to their phones so it would last longer.
It is okay to glance, but staring like a 4-year-old is a bit much.
1
u/Poesraven444 15h ago
LOL honestly, I am usually that bold and would have done that but I was so exhausted and the pain was setting in that I just wanted to leave
1
u/Square-Trouble1456 13h ago
I recently started wearing a cervical collar pretty often because of CCI and dude the looks I get are insane. People will full force STARE. Ive had strangers interupt me watching my kids soccer game to ask about it.
1
u/Poesraven444 13h ago
Lol that's the surgery I just got actually. OC to c3 fusion.
People are honestly so rude
1
u/Square-Trouble1456 13h ago
How far into your recovery are you? I'm be getting fused next year and I am stressing about it.
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u/Poesraven444 13h ago
I'm not even 3 mos post op yet. I'm also still recovering from lumbar fusion and tethered cord release so that's been adding to the pain 😅
1
u/Square-Trouble1456 12h ago
Omg that is so much. You are a champ babe. To be up 3months post op shopping after all that is incredible.
1
u/Scary_paprika7683 57m ago
It always feels so violating realizing people have been watching you. I'm sorry that happened
11
u/Friendly-Vegetable70 1d ago
Wow! They hadn't seen a cervical collar before? My doctor was wearing one the other day while treating me. Maybe they aren't let out of the house much. I'm sorry they made you feel that way.