Stuttering, stumbling, we explain that we have a disability that prevents us from working. Or we make up a story. Whatever, we see the person's eyes start to travel, looking for someone more confident, easier to talk to, or more interesting. Those of us who have chosen to stay home and take care of our families find that we can't even take care of ourselves. That doesn't always happen, though.
People resist change.
I have been totally disabled due to back and neck injuries since 1992. As a grandmother this is very hard on me, you see I can not pick up my grandchildren. Someone has to hand them to me while I sit. I can't bend over and hug them. I can't get down on the floor to play with them.