I can't relate to your specific issue necessarily, but I have had my own hang-ups about how people might perceive me for sure. The nature of my disability is not apparent, I often hear the tired phrase of "well you don't look disabled". I'm not in the same situation as you, but I understand in my own way (I think... I hope).
I'm glad you decided to use them! It is far more important you worry about your own health than what someone else may think of you. I understand what you mean about pride... I guess it's a question of whether the help is more important than pride- but that's a tricky thing. Pride is a beast in its own category but it's not hard to understand how your feelings would affect the nature of how you go about things. Of course, you wish you didn't have to use them!
To this day I still sometimes struggle with what others may think of me (which is just silly, they are likely as self-involved in their thoughts as I am). I have fought with myself to be less hard on myself, no one can compare me to the standards of another, we're all unique and all going through our own struggles. I'm glad you're doing what you need to do, for you!
