Opening up to friends.

[steve1234]

Ok, does anyone else have a disability but have not told your friends?

Currently I am doing A-level exams, and because I have a disability (im not going to say what it is, its not important), I am allowed extra time for my exams, which means I have to do my exams in a different room to everyone else.

My friends keep asking me why I am doing my exams in another room, but I keep saying stuff like 'i dont know'. I know that they probably think im keeping something from them.

Now, the reason I don't want to tell them what is wrong with me is because I don't want them thinking im 'different'. I've heard how my friends bitch about people behind their backs, and take the piss out of anyone who is slightly different, and I don't want them doing this to me.

This sounds shallow of me, and I hate saying it, but if any of my friends told me they had a mental/physical ability or whatever, I would probably try and be 'extra nice' to them, and treat them differently. Sounds bad, and hopefully I wouldn't do it, but knowing me I would.

Anyone else in a similar situation? any advice?

Thanks,
Steve :)

[DrkZ90]

I'd say that... they are your friends, right? if you can't trust them with this, then with what? friends are there to help and support you if they are real friends.

[Atonement]

Well, if they're your friends tell them.
If they treat you differently, tell them you don't appreciate it and for them to get over it.
If they are extra nice, ask them to not treat you specially.

And you can always refuse to tell them. Most people ignore and move past things if they aren't indulged anyway. Unless they're really persistent.

[Kahn]

If they are truly your friends you should be able to trust them with something like this. I disability isn't something to be ashamed of for you have no control over it.

If they were your friends they won't make fun of you behind your back and they will treat you just as they had before. It doesn't mean you're "different". You simply have a small disadvantage. It isn't something to worry about and it isn't something to be scared of.

Open up to them. I have a friend with dyslexia and she had no problem telling me. Good luck Steve.