Criticized For Having Cirrhosis

[Magnum]

Beyond belief! When I was so sick under the nasty treatments, I went to Social Security and applied for SSI because I was unable to work. I told the interviewer I had Cirrhosis and am under treatment. The interviewer said maybe you should not have drank so much and developed Cirrhosis. I was fuming. She was criticizing me and basically was accusing me in so many words of having Cirrhosis because I drank too much. I explained to her that I hardly drank and did not do drugs, and the doctor was convinced it was from tainted blood during a blood transfusion of one of my hip replacements prior to 1991.

My dad told me years ago “never criticize someone until you walk a mile in their shoes”. I took his advice, and after I got a mile away, I turned around and criticized the guy, but by then I had his shoes.

Magnum

[Dee1956]

I am so very sorry this happened to you.  It is just awful the ignorance out there.  People think you can only get cirrhosis through drinking, they don't understand how the virus scars the liver.

I have seen the stigma/ignorance first hand.  I used to try to educate people, then I realized that they don't really listen and they keep their neanderthal thoughts

I have been told cancer was like this, it took a long time for support.  Cancer used to be something to be hidden, no one talked about it and were in fact afraid it was contagious.

Again, what a witch.  Even if she thought that she should have had some compassion when you were so ill

Still laughing at your bunny story :)

[hepcandme]

That is just horrible Magnum. I definitely would report her because she is failing at her job!

Gib Gal, I live in a big city that was the epicenter for AIDS back in the day. Even though the 2 virus are completely different, the ignorance of people and the callousness of dealing with someone who was visibly, horribly dying was one of the worst parts of the AIDS pandemic

But, a lot of love too. And a lot of selflessness.

We absolutely need to do a better job of educating the public. And it should be funded by Gilead who has made a bazillion dollars in the last year from their "miracle" drugs

Love them, kiss them, share a meal! But don't ignore your Hepper friends!

Or, someone with some marketing skills could make this a cool, fun campaign

[gibsongal]

sorry to hear that Magnum, it is terrible.

this is why i never tell people ..i also am hiv+  they assume i was/am a drug addict or hooker. this does not help the fight. the awareness but i need to protect myself from the mean ignorant people.

and when they know they either are cool with it or look at you like you are scum of the earth.. i get looks from people who have seen me not looking well and i know they are wondering what is wrong with me..

and some people who know will say, oh you look so good!" like what, i am supposed to look like ? like i am about to keel over and  die or something?

really hard living  life , 30 years now, (i got hiv in the early '80's before i even knew about it. and didn't know until 92!  and i am still here and doing ok! .) having to hide things.in a small town.. people are very judgmental. the stigma is terrible. it is none of their business. but gossip happens and word gets around and then i have a hard time just going to the grocery or post office afraid i will run into someone who looks at me with that nasty look.my self esteem is a roller coaster.....this is why i want to move form a small town..so i can be freer in a bigger area..

[dontworry_behappy1]

People for along time coming will make uneducated comments about Hep C.
We are only in the beginning stages of getting education out to the public.  Even those on the medical field make rediculous comments about hep c.
Communication is the answer to changing the stigma of hep c.   When I'm feeling really spunkie and ask how I got hep c.  i give them a 30 minute education on Hep C.   The one that really gets thier attention is when I tell them they could have it too.  "Better get tested" I say.   And if you don't know for sure then don't drink or you could get cirrohosis too.  

Sure you can tell the supervisor and you should have.  But personal giving them the history, cause of infection and sudgesting they to could have it and not even know....gets you respect.  

Best to you

[Frank J. Perrotta]

I agree that this person should be reported.

It probably will not do any good but I would go in and personally ask to speak to that persons manager!

That interviewer is probably improperly filing disability paperwork due to her belief that she thinks she is a medically trained doctor! I doubt that she will be fired but she needs to be retrained!

I am so tired, and I am sure you are as well, and I will not put up with it any more. I have fired two doctors this past year and filed a complaint on one of them. I am sick of being lied to by these crazies and speak up now! What do we have to lose?

Best of luck, frank

[heart_in_the_keyes]

That individual should be reported.  People who have never drank or done drugs can get cirrhosis of the liver.  There are many reasons that this can happen.  There are studies right now proving that overdoing over the counter pain relievers like Alleve, etc. can damage the liver.  

People who have no knowledge of the disease should not be able to comment on it.  And PLUS it is none of her business.

[ejoli]

    It's crazy that this person would comment and should be fired for this!  She really doesn't know what she's talking about...