Public transport continues to be a source of tension when it comes to priority seating, especially for people with invisible disabilities. A recent story that went viral on social media shed light on how society still misunderstands the concept of disability. The incident involved an elderly woman who demanded a young girl with a prosthetic leg to give up her seat, accusing her of not being “disabled enough” to deserve it.
The girl later shared her side of the story, explaining the challenges she faces daily. “I lost my left leg in a car accident a few years ago and now use a prosthetic. Although I’ve learned to walk and even run, standing on a moving train is extremely difficult because maintaining balance is harder than people realize. That day, I was sitting in a reserved seat when an older woman approached me and asked me to get up. I calmly explained that I actually needed the seat due to my disability, but she got angry and called the conductor to remove me.”
The situation escalated quickly, and the girl said she felt humiliated by the attention and disbelief. “Tired of trying to justify myself, I rolled up my pant leg and showed her my prosthetic leg. I told her I wasn’t moving. She didn’t say a word, turned red in the face, and quietly got off the train at the next stop.” Many online applauded the girl for standing her ground and shedding light on how people with disabilities are often forced to prove themselves.
Her story sparked a broader conversation among people with invisible or non-obvious disabilities. One user shared, “My husband walks with crutches, but when he’s sitting down, he looks completely fine. He’s been yelled at for using disabled parking spots or sitting in priority seats. But the moment he gets up and people see the crutches, their attitude changes. It shouldn’t take visible proof for people to believe someone’s pain or condition is real.”
Another person added their voice to the discussion: “I’ve had multiple surgeries on my legs, and while I don’t use a cane, I experience intense pain after walking short distances. Still, I’ve received dirty looks and even comments for using disabled spots. It’s exhausting to constantly feel judged for something others can’t see.” These stories reflect a shared frustration: the burden placed on disabled individuals to validate their conditions to strangers.
This viral moment serves as a reminder that disability doesn’t always look the same. What may seem like a healthy person to one observer might be someone silently battling chronic pain, balance issues, or physical limitations. Instead of jumping to conclusions, society needs to adopt a more compassionate approach—one that prioritizes empathy over judgment. True accessibility means trusting people’s words and experiences, even when their struggles aren’t immediately visible.