Am I Disabled!?

Is someone who lives chronically ill disabled? Let me know your thoughts.

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[sarahdon]

I never considered this myself until I started working it was then that I was classed as disabled as I needed extra work adjustments and longer breaks during my workday compared to other staff. Now it’s just become the norm to me that if I’m working I always state am disabled that way ppl can understand me better. But it was only when I could no longer walk with my stick and became totally incapacitated that people asked me what was wrong. It’s mad how ppl with hidden disabilities or chronic illnesses are often not called disabled because you can’t see it . 😊

[ruby]

I have had ME/CFS for 2 and a half years and just got diagnosed with POTS (I just found your channel) and I bought a wheelchair in February. I am definitely disabled! There’s nothing wrong with being disabled, it just means I need a more help to do things.🥰 Elinor Brown here on YouTube has some great videos talking about “am I disabled enough?” I definitely recommend checking them out! ❤

[ashleym]

It’s a interesting realization when you are young and disabled because of the thoughts surrounding the word. I’m happy to see you went for it and got the chair. It will only bring you more freedom in the end!

[Moonmama]

Same ! I had a baby at 43 & my health declined 2 other surgeries after c section, now diagnosed w nerve damage from too many surgeries (all emergency life saving surgeries ) endo stage 4, congestive pelvic pain syndrome, now doing tpi injections, nerve block & steroid treatments, i drive 2.5 hrs each week for treatments & I can’t get disability ! It’s crazy and the pain is always there no pain meds just others and trying to enjoy being a mom I’m exhausted most days, so my thought was also to get a wheelchair or cane bc walking 3city blocks is too much I’m sorry you are in pain as well you look so young 😢sending you tons of grace we have to give ourselves Grace know you’re not alone just bc we look ok on the outside doesn’t mean we are ok on the inside yesterday my muscles felt like I was hit by a car ! We have to stay strong to show the next generation this pain is real !

[Catlily]

I have been on disability since I was 16. So I had to accept it.

[bouldergirl]

I went through a complete mind-#*ck when I was approved for SSDI. I was in therapy, and we spent many hours on my adjustment to my new ID

[Gwen]

I am not sure if this will help or not. This is how i look at it. I have a disability card for the really bad days so i don't always use it. For me it helps on the really hard days. As you know we should never let the way people look at you get to you. You know your truth.

[shayelea]

I struggled for a long time with whether I was “disabled enough” to call myself disabled. Finally once day I reframed the question: Would I call myself “able-bodied”? And the answer to that was HA HA NO OF COURSE NOT. WELP. There you go. “Not able-bodied” = “disabled.”

I found that giving myself permission to think of myself as disabled actually was a net positive - now instead of focusing on the things I can’t do, I focus on the things I CAN do in spite of my poor health. Trying to avoid that “disabled” label just always made me feel like I was a loser because I was putting myself in the same group as, and therefore comparing myself to, able-bodied people - and that’s not productive.

I still have good days where it feels wrong to call myself disabled because I don’t feel limited. But that’s because there are a lot of things I have simply taken off the table. Then I’ll have a week where I’m using my cane every day - or dragging my mobility scooter to the airport - and yeah…the label is fair.

[stephaniewhitehead]

Let me tell you, I had a real moment when my doctor gave me a signed (SIGNED!) application for a permanent handicap sticker. I, too, have chronic illness that isn't readily seen (unless I have to use my cane or the scooter in stores). I guess until that moment, I didn't really consider myself disabled either. It blind sides you even though you know you are having issues.

[inspiredtothriveMarie]

I have struggled with this one and even postponed handicap tags on my car. I would not be able to go into a store if I couldn’t find a place to park up front. And I am disabled. But I haven’t been able to accept it yet or see it.

[destin.marie.]

I didn't consider myself disabled till I got my service dog... It's funny how an aid points out the title but I'm learning to own it (takes time)

[nannypat]

My wheelchair set me free ! I just considered it a tool.

[anselschannel]

I’m same situation now 😢 but my doctor thinks I have mental problems because of my wheelchair I explain even I have problems of my heart rate 105 to 110 while in bed and dizziness when I walk far.He told me he never seen any fibromyalgia of his patients in the wheelchair 😢

[Beckysgetsittogether]

I've tried to get disability, but Social Security is paid not to deem me disabled, and the lawyer isn't paid if I'm married, and don't have a large settlement to take his fees from. A paralegal told me that I would need to prove medically from my doctors diagnosis and prescriptions would help the courts determine my case. I need disability to be able to afford the doctors. I have to pay 25% of our doctor bills currently, and personally I'd rather take holistic herbs and eat right then to take medicine that give various side effects including death (as a side effect).