'I don’t owe you an explanation': People with disabilities share their stories of Karen encounters

Author image for Elna McHilderson
Elna McHilderson • Managing Editor
May 12, 2023 1:00 PM EDT

Karens are Karens to everybody, no one is safe. Unfortunately, if you have something that they don't understand, it makes you even more of a target to entitled Karens. So this is bad news for people with disabilities, especially people with a disability that isn't immediately visible. Karens aren't going to do any research on any disability and yet they will still act like they went to medical school. 

A person who is legally blind took to Reddit as an outlet to share a frustrating story of a Karen encounter he had. He was waiting in line to get a coffee, when a Karen tried to take advantage of his blindness and cut in front of him. The thing is, he can partially see some things, and he for sure noticed this entitled person trying to cut in front of him. The audacity and rudeness of that is just insane. However, the Karen decided to take it even further and went to his table, sat right in front of him, and started asking him about his blindness, as if she were entitled to an explanation on why she got caught pulling an a-hole move. 

The post seemed to be a pretty relatable story to people with disabilities and many took to the comment section to add their own Karen encounter story. Scroll on to read them below! 

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  • 01
    Blue - P Posted by u/satchel-of-richards 16 hours ago How blind are you?? M
    via u/pixabay-overjupiter

    Reddit post by u/satchel-of-richards

  • 02
    Font - I am legally blind. I have no sight in one eye and very little sight in the other, but I can see a little. I walk with a sight cane but generally do need some help to get around. I was at the airport in Cincinnati, OH returning from a business trip, and I asked the person helping me to take me to a Starbucks since I was desperate for caffeination. She put me in line then said she would be back for me in 20 minutes.
    via u/satchel-of-richards
  • 03
    Font - So I'm standing in line when this woman starts creeping on my right. Then a little more. And a little more. Bish was trying to pull cutsies on me! Oh I don't think so! So I slyly slid my cane over to my right, effectively preventing said cutsies She realizes she's been caught, and huffs a bit,
    via u/satchel-of-richards
  • 04
    Font - having her plan of cutting in front of an undercaffeinated blind person at 6:45am effectively thwarted. I get my drink and take a seat (most people just took their drinks to their gate so most of the tables were empty). Then Cutsy Carol sits down AT MY TABLE and waves her hand in front of my face and we have the following exchange:
    via u/satchel-of-richards
  • 05
    Font - CC: So are ya blind or what?? Me: pardon? CC: like how much can you see?? Are you faking? Just how blind are you? Me: I mean I saw enough to know you were attempting to cut in front of a blind person
    via u/satchel-of-richards
  • 06
    Font - CC: so you CAN see! (waves hand in my face again) Can you see this?? Why do you need a cane if you can see? Is it macular degeneration or what?? Me: ma'am it's too early for this. Please leave my table. I don't owe you an explanation or any part of my medical history. I'm just trying to enjoy my drink in peace while I wait for my guide. CC: Jeez I was just asking... (huffs and leaves for parts unknown - thank God)
    via u/satchel-of-richards
  • 07
    Font - I don't know why people see someone who is disabled and feel entitled to their story or their medical devices. I have had people grab my cane and PULL ME where they want me to go. Parents who think it's cute to let their kids grab my cane (it's not). Last 4th of July a random woman saw me walking with my family and grabbed my arm to drag me over to her son who had recently lost his eyesight so I could tell him my story. Didn't ask just grabbed.
    via u/satchel-of-richards
  • 08
    Font - My daughter let her know how horribly inappropriate that was, and this woman was super offended because she was "just trying to help her son adapt to his new reality". Like she thought I owed that to her by daring to be blind?? Disabled people aren't sideshows - we are just trying to live our lives just like you are :)
    via u/satchel-of-richards
  • 09
    Font - OlafvonUlv 16 hr. ago ● I've gotten the "how blind are you?",crap from close friends and family, it is always infuriating. Finally got approved "disabled blind" and I'm hoping it shuts them up...at least for awhile.
    via u/OlafvonUlv
  • 10
    Font - LadyBladeWarAngel 11 hr. ago . I'm 85% blind. One eye completely blind. The other only sees straight ahead. I don't use a cane. This is mainly because where I live, a cane would make me a target. My Mum has the same eye problem I have, and I was forced to learn to be self sufficient. I was waiting for a bus one time. Couldn't see the numbers on the bus. So when one stopped, I asked which bus it was. The driver asked me "What are you? Blind?" I was like "Actually, yes. I'm legally blind. A
    via u/LadyBladeWarAngel
  • 11
    Font - For some reason, people behave like they're owed explanations, about other people. We're in a society, where people are jerks, who expect your life story on command. Sadly, this sort of behaviour is becoming more and more prevalent.
    via u/LadyBladeWarAngel
  • 12
    Font - It's true. The problem is, if that driver had looked at me, and seen a stereotypical blind person (glazed over eyes, dark glasses, cane, guide dog) the words probably wouldn't have left his mouth. I don't look like a stereotypical blind person. My eyes are completely clear, because they recognise light and dark. I don't use a cane 90% of the time, I don't wear dark glasses, because my sight problem has nothing to do with brightness. But if you look closely at my eyes, my pupils are missha
    via u/LadyBladeWarAngel
  • 13
    Font - I have nystagmus and astigmatism. I was born with Congenital Cataracts. To remove it and give me a semblance of sight, they had to remove the lenses of my eyes, causing the pupils to be misshapen. There are scratches, and even a nice little black hole, noticeably apart from my pupil. But most people only take a quick glance. It also isn't the first time I've dealt with rude transport staff, or rude passengers, or entitled people. When I have to travel, I shine my spine up extra.
    via u/LadyBladeWarAngel
  • 14
    Font - Jexpler 4 hr. ago Yeah, people don't understand that 100% total blindness is rare. Most blind people have eyes that work, just incredibly poorly. See some light? Yes. Be able to see where you're going? No.
    via u/Jexpler
  • 15
    Font - Emotional-Music-9153 14 hr. ago Same can't see mine. So when I park in a disabled spot before I can even put the blue badge up someone will come over and say u can't park there. There's nothing wrong with u u look fine. Show them my badge which I shouldn't have to do. Then it's what wrong with you then as u look completely fine to me u must have lied to get that and on and on they go . People mind your own business.
    via u/Emotional-Music-9153
  • 16
    Font - catsarenice DEATH. 8 hr. ago It still amazes me how shitty people get when they see a 'young' person (I'm 37, but I still ID'd for booze sometimes, I'm hanging onto the 'young'!) with a disabled badge. How about, Barbara, instead of getting shitty that I "get a good spot to park" instead be grateful that you don't need to.
    via u/catsareniceDEATH
  • 17
    Font - It's like bullies; why are you angry that I'm ugly? Love your own life and keep your nose out of mine! But yes, agreed, I am also done with being told that I should "teach or educate" people about conditions. They have smartphones, why don't they Google that shit?
    via u/catsareniceDEATH
  • 18
    Font - Daggerix02 5 hr. ago . Years ago my husband was literally dragging me up a hill from the "designated handicapped parking" (on a giant hill) for a Christmas store at a light display. I was several steps behind him, holding his hand, while he was providing at least 80% of the pulling power to get me moving. The rude parking attendant came up and said "can I ask which of you is disabled?" My little sister in law and husband were like, "um, she is." But my husband's older sister is a beast. S
    via u/Daggerix02
  • 19
    Font - wolfie379 6 hr. ago Quite a while ago, a British Member of Parliament publicly questioned why an elderly gentleman who walked with a bit of a limp had a disabled parking permit. Didn't turn out well for the MP. The elderly gentleman was a veteran. He flew in the RAF during WW2. His name was Douglas Bader.
    via u/Wolfie379
  • 20
    Font - KelRen 58 min. ago It reminds of a coworker who said her and her sister both supported their mother since she couldn't work due to chronic pain from fibromyalgia and our other coworker went on this rant about how fibromyalgia was a fake disease and made her cry. I was like "I'm sorry Frank, I didn't realize you were a doctor! What are doing working this crap job if you have a medical degree?" Lmao that shut him up, but still...that is so damn rude. Admittedly I don't know a lot about fibr
    via u/KelRen
  • 21
    Font - lynnm59 13 hr. ago I am so sorry to hear this. Several years ago, I had a friend that was badly injured by a drunk driver. She would use a wheelchair on occasion when she first got out of the hospital. We went to the mall one day and I was absolutely appalled by the behavior of some people! She said something that day that has stuck with me for 30 years.. ".. people don't even look you in the eyes when you're disabled, it's like they don't want to see you." I have made it a point to meet
    via u/lynnm59
  • 22
    Font - OD crankgirl 12 hr. ago . I've had strangers lean against my wheelchair on numerous occasions. And loadsa people ask why I'm in a wheelchair or using crutches. I always want to ask them if they've ever had a sexually transmitted disease, you know, since we're sharing medical histories. Not been brave enough yet but it will happen one day.
    via u/crankgirl
  • 23
    Font - & Professional-Spare13 12 hr. ago I get it. I have severe RA and would qualify for a disabled parking permit, but my treatment has been very effective so I elect not to get the permit. When I've been asked to participate in certain activities that I know will stress my joints I will decline and explain that I have RA. Then everyone wants to know the story. If I choose to tell them my journey, that's my choice. If I don't, that's also my choice. People I become close to, I will explain if
    via u/Professional-Spare13
  • 24
    Font - Imaginary-Yak-6487 10 hr. ago My niece lost part of her left leg in a car accident. She has a prosthetic. We had went to the store & she parked in an accessible spot. We came back out & got in the car. Some dick came over & started talking about how this is a disabled spot, we should be ashamed, blah blah blah. My niece reached down & took her prosthetic off & waved in dickheads face. Said is this enough for you? Dickhead just walked away.
    via u/Imaginary-Yak-6487
  • 25
    Font - concrete_dandelion 11 hr. ago I get the "you don't look disabled" and people needing an in-depth explanation of my excruciating pain as well as all the ways my brain refuses to work for people to accept that I'm actually disabled and not lazy (or not, some still judge me) all the time. My favourite was the two guys hired to move my stuff (moving in with my mother because I'm too disabled completely take care of myself and a household) giving me dirty looks when I layed down with a sick bo
    via u/concrete_dandelion
  • 26
    Font - To his credit one of them listened to my mom's explanation, then asked me about my disability, explained that this was a whole new world for him as he thought disabled always meant the severe cognitive and physical disabilities his siblings have and has been very kind to me ever since (actually asking to renovate my new room for me because he knows I lost the ability to do that myself). But why does someone need extra explanations why someone can't carry around heavy stuff when someone hi
    via u/concrete_dandelion
  • 27
    Font - JustanOld Baby Boomer 6 hr. ago I've also encountered IDIOTS who don't get it about the needs of the Deaf Community. One of my friends, who was facing major surgery, requested a Sign Language interpreter so she could discuss the upcoming medical procedure. The hospital staff responded with: "You don't need an interpreter, you have hearing aids!" WTF?!?! Once lawyers got involved, the hospital provided the interpreter!!!
    via u/JustanOldBabyBoomer
  • 28
    Font - Past_Comfortable_470 · 3 hr. ago I am a disabled veteran that can still walk for the most part, so when I having a good day, I don't use the DAV spots. Other days suck, and I'll park there. I inevitably run into Karen or Ken, telling me I don't 'look' disabled. My usual reply is and you don't look stupid, yet here we are, having this conversation. Can I help you? They usually drive away quickly. Helps that I'm 6′5″.
    via u/Past_Comfortable_470
  • 29
    Font - bzsbal 6 hr. ago I have an amputated arm, and have had people try and touch it or lift my sleeve to take a peek. The nerve of some people is unreal.
    via u/bzsbal
  • 30
    Font - Zinkerst 2 hr. ago • I totally feel you. I'm a wheelchair user, and I've lost count of the times people have just PUSHED me without asking, or even after an explicit NO. And people actually feel entitled (total strangers, mind you) to ask whether I'm still able to have sex. I mean, there have been a lot of kind strangers in my life who have helped when help was needed, when I have asked them for it, or who were nice and polite when they asked me whether I needed assistance, but those othe
    via u/Zinkerst

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reddit-recap a-person-with-a-visual-impairment handicapped handicap people-with-disabilities karens in the wild visual-impairment Reddit karen legally blind entitled people person-with-a-disability
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