I Was Judged for My Arm - Now My Age.

Turns out being underestimated and judged has been a lifelong theme.

Being born with a limb difference meant that I was often subjected to being laughed at, excluded, bullied, and judged. Looking different than most meant that I constantly had to prove myself to others who couldn’t understand how I could accomplish… well, just about anything.

Combine a limb difference with being a female at a time when girls didn’t engage in the types of activities I loved (there was hockey, football and baseball to name a few), and you can imagine how frustrating that was.

I always found it interesting how people would assume that someone with all of their limbs could do anything. Let’s explore that.

If someone with all of their appendages tells you they can play guitar or ride a motorcycle, how would you respond? Would you automatically believe them? If I were to tell you the same thing, what would your initial thought be?

Let’s make it an even simpler task.

We meet as children in the park. You and a few of your friends are playing pitch and catch. I show up with a baseball glove and ask if I can join you. How would you react?

Admittedly, I am not the most patient person at the best of times and never took kindly to others judging my abilities.

And now, as a junior senior, I find myself facing these challenges all over again — but for a completely different reason.

Now I’m seen as old.

Funny enough, when I was in high school, I had a math teacher who was having a hard time because he had just turned 30. (He must be in his late seventies or early eighties by now.) He grew up at a time when it was common to hear the phrase, “Don’t trust anyone over 30.”

For those who are too young to remember, “Don’t trust anyone over 30” was a 1960s counterculture slogan coined by activist Jack Weinberg in 1964 during the Berkeley Free Speech Movement. It reflected the belief among young people that anyone over 30 had become part of “the establishment” and could no longer be trusted to create meaningful change.

I know about it, so I must be old.

Most of his students, including myself, couldn’t understand why he thought turning 30 meant crossing some invisible line into becoming one of them — no longer part of youth culture.

Ironically, one of the unexpected positives of aging is that my arm doesn’t seem to get as much attention as it used to. It appears to have taken a back seat to my age.

Recently, when I was speaking to a seniors’ social group, someone asked how old I was. When I replied “60” — which I was at the time — I was told that I looked like I was in my 40s. The person with the microphone then asked the audience if anyone thought I looked my age.

A much younger person working the audiovisual equipment during my talk raised their hand.

Hmmmm.

So does that mean I’m old?

With every aspect of life being captured on social media these days, I often see keyboard warriors blaming “boomers” (yes, I’m a member of that club) for everything they believe is wrong in today’s world. Apparently, it’s the “old people’s” fault.

Hmmmm… maybe they should do a little research beyond what they see on TikTok.

That said, I’ll admit that many ads don’t grab my attention anymore. When I look at marketing from brands like Levi’s or Toyota, it’s pretty clear they’re no longer targeting my age group.

I have news for them.

I’m still an active consumer who is not yet focused on products such as Depends or services like wills and estate planning.

Like it or not, many of us remain active and contribute to daily life. We use computers. We eat. We travel. We socialize. We wear clothes.

You get the drift.

So yes, I am still judged. But I’ve had many years of practice quieting the naysayers. There will always be someone critiquing you, waiting to pounce at the first sign of weakness.

Let them.

Because while they’re busy deciding what box to put you in, you can be out proving that the box never fit in the first place.

Besides… if life has taught me anything, it’s this:

Being underestimated is actually a pretty good starting position.

Born different, built strong — see you on the next turn.

ang

About the Author

Angie Sandow is an Inspirational Humourist, Comedian, Author, and Speaker who proves that age and difference don’t limit us—they give us better material.

Born with a limb difference and a breast cancer survivor, Angie rides a motorcycle with one hand, plays guitar with a prosthetic, and turns life’s curveballs into laugh-out-loud stories that inspire audiences to live boldly, try new things, and never let labels define them—at any age.

👉 Learn more or book Angie to speak at your next event: BOOKING

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