Do I make you uncomfortable?

We all know how South Asians (especially the aunties) view any form of ill health/disabilities. You shouldn't speak about it, people will talk, it's not very lady like or proper, there's men around, shhhh and obviously, log kya kehenge? (What will people say?).

Over the years I've come to ignore most of that because I believe in education and awareness and to remove the stigma in our society. Just because it's always been that way doesn't mean it's okay or that it should continue. It's been difficult because in the beginning it was a fight and even now it sometimes gets to be a lot but here I am.

What does surprise me though is when people start asking you about your health and you give the initial 'yeah everything's okay/good, still going etc' but they still dig in and ask further questions, I start answering and their faces start to look....uncomfortable?

I think they are interested but because of the way chronic illnesses and disabilities are portrayed and thought about in our community, they don't know how to respond. Or they're just nosey and didn't expect me to actually start answering their questions and explaining things, so they don't know what to say or do with themselves.

If you don't want to know, don't ask. Leave it at the initial societal niceties and call it a day. If you truly want to know then tell your face to not make that face.