Poor self image/embarrassment over injury

piinksugar, I used to feel very conscious in the beginning when i was first in a chair. I hated looking up and everyone and i was concerned that i would not be seen as a 'regular' person anymore.
I learnt to overcome issues but then its all relative..your reasons may well be different to mine. Its very understandable to feel how you do...Im confident that it will get better for you..because you dont want to be restricted by this.

People do look..its natural but we arent so interesting to general people for too long....Im sure their mind wanders next to thoughts of what they are having for dinner etc...we are soon forgotten about so try not to give this all your thoughts.
They will keep you a prisoner otherwise ....

This remains me....  I, alone, went to get my braces adjusted.  Afterwards I had to sign a receipt.  The lady asked me "do you typically sign your paperwork or does someone else?"  She saw me use my wheelchair and grab the paperwork.  I realize she had good intentions but that threw me for a loop.  Able bodied people think all disabled people are retarded.....and she worked in a prosthetic shop!

Pink sugar i too feel self conscious not just because of the wheelchair but because i have a movement disorder and have involuntary movements in my face , arm
Hand and legs. One one occasion my facial grimacing was so bad that i literally stuck out my tongue when trying to smile
I Overcame a big hurdle recently and actually spoke publicly for one and a half minutes at a public event . I doubt i would have done it if it had
not been to honour a person who died who had been very compassionate to me.
I feel like carrying little cards that explain myself so i dont feel the need to.
I have lots of anxiety about everything going out.... Will i be able to get in? What will the bathroom be like? Will i be able to handle my condition?
How will my pain levels be? I am expanding my circle a little as i get more comfortable but it is hard.

I agree with everything wave wolf said and by the way, i too never noticed the vent until you mentioned it!
I think we have to do things, go places and be around people who give us energy as much as possible ( not that i go many places but i am trying more now)
Most importantly do things we enjoy. Thanks for talking about this

I would notice it in person but did not see it in your picture:)

I dont know how to handle the questions myself
Today i was spastically trying to get a coat on in the drs office
Awoman intently watching me said
What happened to you?
Me - its kind of complicated
Wman - how complicated? Did you have an accident?
Me - well yes and no ---- like i said its complicated . Gotta go!
Then flashed her a big Smile and wheeled past her but somehow " accidentally " went right over her purse. Whoops! Naughty me,( would not have done it in my power chair but could not help myself catching the edge of it with my manual chair!
She apologozed profusely that it was in my way

Maybe you need a sign on the back of your chair
Hi! This is a vent. I use it to breathe because i broke my neck in an accident. Otherwise i am just like you! have a nice day!

I have a sign on the back of my chair sometimes when i go out which says HUGGING HURTS. Please dont hug me.thanks.

Take care and try not to worry too much about what others think.its how you feel inside thats important
Unfortunately we are always going to look different

I have a friend on Facebook that is a C5 with zero hand function. She is dependent on people for everything, but she still finds ways to do photography and painting. She was injured very young (pre-teen) and still finds a reason to smile no and then.