A viral story about public transport seating sparked debate when an elderly woman demanded a girl with a prosthetic leg give up her priority seat, claiming she wasn’t “disabled enough.” The girl explained, “I lost my leg in an accident and use a prosthetic. I can walk, but balancing on a train is hard. She insisted I move, even after I explained. She called the conductor, so I showed my prosthetic. Embarrassed, she left at the next stop.”
Many disabled people related. One said, “My husband uses crutches but looks fine seated. He’s criticized for using disabled spots until he stands—then people stop.” Another added, “My leg surgeries aren’t visible, but I need those seats. The judgment is endless.”
The story reveals how assumptions trump empathy, forcing people to prove their disabilities. It’s a call for more understanding in public spaces, where needs aren’t always obvious.
