Having a condition which is severe, but difficult to identify means over years people have treated me as lazy, a whiner, someone playing for attention. It is awfully tough to take, especially since I fight harder than most to overcome as best I can.
When people ask me “what’s wrong with you?” it bugs me a lot. When children ask what’s that, and point to my crutches, I am pleased to explain. The difference? Adults asking me what’s wrong with me are basically expecting to validate myself. The children curious about my crutches are concerned for me. They see there is some sort of struggle, and they want to know about it; does it hurt, will it happen to everybody sometime, can I get better.
So, judgey bugs me. A desire for understanding, I am okay with.