As disabled kids, we grew up being examined by professionals and obeying whatever they said in a passive, submissive way because we didn't know any other lifestyle. Also, we learned to keep our feelings inside and put on a big smile for the outside world. Keeping these feelings inside is not good. They tend to fester, and, instead of letting them blow up like a volcano and thus begin the healing process, we tend to lance them. They continue to slowly fester just under the surface until sometimes it's almost unbearable.
Cars are the great equalizers.
Nobody knows about our disability as we are driving down the road. We are just like everyone else. Many times I've pulled into a parking lot and stopped the car, fully intending to get out and go inside somewhere. Then I get these flashbacks of reactions from people as they see me drag myself out of the car and grab onto my canes. Most of the time I start up the car and leave without ever getting out of it.