Matet de Leon opens up on 'invisible' bipolar disorder after PWD queuing experience
MANILA, Philippines — Actress Matet de Leon shared her struggles as a person with bipolar disorder, especially when she is out in public and her condition is not immediately known.
In her Instagram account, Matet said that she recently queued in a person with disability (PWD) lane in a grocery store, but a woman asked her to switch lanes.
“I have bipolar disorder. I’m a pwd. Hindi halata? Kaya pala pinag titinginan ako kanina sa isang supermarket. Kinalabit pa ako ng isang babaeng yayamanin at pinapalipat ng lane. Hiyang hiya ako. Pati sa sarili ko. Pumila kasi ako sa pwd lane.. Wala akong kasunod na senior o may visible disability kaya nag decide ako na doon na pumila. Kung saan ako dapat,” she wrote.
“Ang hirap ng kalagayan naming may mental health issues na hindi nakikita ng iba.. Sanay sila na ang may mental illness, nagtutulo ng laway o nagsasalita mag isa. Sana sa lahat ng makakabasa nito, mag ingat,” she added.
Matet said that she wanted to raise awareness about mental health and the PWD community.
“Guys, hindi madali ang malagay sa sitwasyon namin. Sana huwag nang pabigatin pa ng iba.. Sana huwag nang paabutin pa sa kailangan na naming isabit sa leeg namin mga id namin.. Kaloka,” she said.
“At sa mga kagaya ko, na kaya naman magtiis ng sandali, paunahin ang matatanda at 'yung talagang makikita ninyong hirap nang pumila. 'Yun lang,” she added.
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