Actually I just started a thread that kind of relates to this one. I've had the "invisible" treatment, along with "talking to my keeper". However, what bugs me the most is people asking all sorts of nosy questions that I wouldn't dream of asking a stranger and patronizing, belittling remarks. Honestly, can't people just talk to me like a "Normal" person? Actually, that's what I am, really. I don't need people coming up to me and saying things like "Jesus loves you" or "I'll pray for you". I really don't need false displays of concern and sympathy, either. Just when I'm enjoying myself and acting like a "normal" person someone takes it upon themselves to remind me and everyone with me that I'm not ("normal"). I'm not talking about offers of assistance that are clearly indicated, like help with a door, package, or the time I was at Disney and nearly passed out and two nice ladies gave me their seat and got me a bottle of water. That 's quite a different scenario than approaching a disabled person sitting in a restaurant, or with a group of friends, and saying things like "Jesus loves you" or "People like you are such an inspiration", yadda yadda. Last summer we went on a vacation and my daughter fell and hurt her knee. It was her idea to use a wheelchair to get around. After about an hour she didn't want the wheelchair anymore, although her knee was swollen and obviously painful. She said people were acting too weird. She's 8 years old, and, in my opinion, quite pretty. I guess she made a sight in the wheelchair, and apparently many people thought it was their place to let he know how "different" she looked. We had the religious nuts, people coming up and patting her (really, keep your hands to yourself!), and someone actually gave her a dollar! She was in tears and said she'd rather walk, but couldn't due to her injured knee. She just wanted to come home, and we did. She said she wasn't one of the exhibits! Before we left, we went to a restaurant. The only way she could get in was using the wheelchair, and the waitress was obnoxious, with all her comments, hugging her, talking to her like she was retarded, etc. Finally my husband got up and talked to the manager and asked for another waitress that knew how to act. We got a waitress who was "terrible". she didn't make one comment on the wheelchair! Imagine that! No hugs, no baby talk, no "Jesus loves you (BTW, we're Jewish), none of that! She just treated my daughter like any other kid. Honestly, some people! (The second waitress got a big, cash tip. It was her business if she decided to split it with the first waitress).