Your post had me totally confused. Boundaries???? Why do I need to establish boundaries. I read you articles and figured out what was going on. Looking at profile pictures on here everyone looks like they are fairly young. I think society expects people to act their age, so to speak.
I am old and look old…..white hair unshaven geezer. I am 68, if I grow a beard people tell me I look 20 years older.;-)……that would make me look like I am in my 90’s, but to tell the truth…..I don’t look a day over 80 with a beard. People don’t expect people that look like me to be able to do much. Which is true in many cases……stop and think about it. There are people younger than me that can’t do what I do with cancer and PAH. Most are surprised that I do what I do just because I am old….even if they don’t know about my health problems.
I can see where it it can be rough on young people. Teenagers gotta have the worst time of it. That is an active age group.
To be honest I don’t know what to tell younger folks with health problems. I sincerely hope you and others can find some solution to your boundaries problems. Guess I was blessed to not have any major health problems till I got old.
Now if you wanna have some fun……..Get a white haired wig, shawl, one of those blue dresses with white pok-a-dots, support hose, make-up to make you look old, orthopedic shoes, and a cane. Then wander around town……Boy Scouts will come out of the woodwork trying to help you across the street.
Now there is a test you can do to tell if you are old. Fall down in front of a group of people…..if they laugh, you are young, If they start rushing at you with a look of concern, you are old.