They thought my DH was drunk

My lovely Mum had a diabetic incident in a street. 'Luckily' (but unkindly) a shopkeeper called the police referring to a drunk. The police quickly recognised her sobriety and called an ambulance. Afterwards, when recalling her helpless state and embarrassment, all she could say was 'and I was wearing my fur coat too!'. Must have been a high day in more ways than one.

Your new neibours are just pratt's, they think they are funny, but they are just p... taking bores.
Explain to them their ignorant behaviour upset your husband, and why he was staggering, but be prepared for these morons not to be interested. I hate people like your neibours, they think they are funny when in fact they are idiots. Hope your husband gets a diagnosis.

Thank you all for your good wishes and helpful comments.
This afternoon my DH was passing the neighbour’s house and asked a man working in the garden if he was the owner. He said it belonged to his son, and went to fetch him.
DH explained what had happened and the son was embarrassed to admit his behaviour and get told off by his dad in front of a stranger. Good result!

Good result, I’m glad your husband was able to explain.

I'm glad all turned out well Bankhurst and hope he gets a diagnosis soon
They should have had sympathy even if he was drunk and approached him to help.
We did have unknown to us a next-door neighbour who was an Alchahoic. He often fell as he got older and one Christmas day my DD found him lying on the drive with his poor wife crying beside him. DD came for us and we picked him up got him into the house and stayed while his wife made coffee. She then explained the problem and we felt so sorry for her she had struggled for years without telling anyone. We encouraged her to tell.No one laughed and she got help.

Nannarose

I would definitely let them know. Aim not to sound judgemental yourself, even though you will feel it (grr!)
In principle I would rather knock on the door and tell them, but if you don't feel up to that, write a note.
Keep it simple:
Welcome to X Street (if appropriate). We need to let you know that (DH) has a medical condition that sometimes causes him to stagger, and occasionally collapse. Please help, or let someone know if you see him like this - other neighbours are aware
[NB: if they aren't, then tell them as well!]

Thank you.....Bankhurst & DH

This gives them room to apologise.
The reason I wouldn't ignore them (though tempting) is that we all need to get on with our neighbours - you might need their assistance at some point, so best not to take umbrage, even when well deserved.

Great shame that you have to deal with this - and I wouldn't go into any medical details - if asked say briefly 'a neurological condition'. If you don't say, it makes ignorant people more nosey!

Good luck!

What Nannarose said! Give them the benefit of the doubt and make them aware.

I hope the hospital are able to come up with an answer and suitable treatment.

Ohhhh i am soooo happy this happened.....

I thought that once the neighbours knew the real situation, that they would be deeply upset by their actions, but bottom line is they were not to blame, they didnt know.

So pleased x

So so happy for your husband. Glad his Dad embarrased him. He will think twice now.

Great outcome.

Your post reminded me of my bad behaviour forty odd years ago when a woman sat next to me on the bus and started chatting. I thought she was drunk and was very aloof - but when she got off I realised she was paralysed down one side, probably from a stroke.

I think I would write a letter explaining your husband's condition and put it through their door.

I think if you speak to them direct they will be embarrassed and do what most people do in that situation is get truculent awkward and difficult (or rather more so) and this could lead to a difficult confrontation. By sending a letter, they will see it and read it at home, without having to defend their behaviour.

I think most of us would like to string people like this up by their big toes, but they are neighbours and you have to live with them. So, give them the opportunity to suffer their humiliation in private.

You may not want to tell them what medical condition your DH has, but you could point out that a range of conditions can cause symptoms like those they saw: Posters on here have listed MS and diabetes and I would add epilepsy. I once went to the aid of someone with that illness when others were just assuming he was drunk. Add Parkinsons

Put the letter through the letterbox. Doo not expect a reply, but it should enable you to continue to be civil to this horrible family, even if between gritted teeth.

Glad to hear your husband felt able to deal with it himself Bankhurst and there was a good outcome. I hope his health problems are resolved soon.

Please note that Mr Bankhurst has resolved the situation. A good result, so no further need for advice. ?

Glad it's been sorted and nice to know the ignorant young man has a decent father who left him in no doubt as to the stupidity and crassness of his behaviour.
Hopefully lessons have been learnt and he'll behave like a grown up in future.

I'd have already been round to give them a tongue lashing !

People “assume” according their experience and most people staggering are drunk, even the police would until proved otherwise.
If my husband had this condition I would be very aware and not let him out without company, either myself or a friend.