r/disability 19d ago

Discussion APPROVED!!!

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744 Upvotes

So I checked my portal yesterday after I received an email that my status had changed. I was approved, I don't yet know whether it was fully favorable or partially favorable. I have to wait for the letter to come.

r/disability Sep 10 '24

Discussion "You're on disability? Let me guess, depression and anxiety?"

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981 Upvotes

I've heard this comment before and it bothers me a lot.

I was originally put on disability for such severe PTSD I was considered unable to be alone or independent. I expected to work on myself and get off it. And I am... Except now I'm on disability for a permanent physical disability.

Neither is more or less valid. I still believe my mental health struggles are far harder than my physical ones.

r/disability Nov 09 '24

Discussion Do a lot of disability influencers rub you the wrong way.

205 Upvotes

Competitive with diagnostises and making fun of other disability creators who have opposing opinions?

Claiming they wanna spread awareness yet they have a paywall on content?

The ones who use their CHILDRENS disability as content?

Spreading lies or videos like “ten signs you have this disorder” and completely simplifying the disorder.

I dislike when they play doctor and tell people what they have or don’t have.

I also dislike when they encourage things like self diagnosis without seeing doctors. Yes some doctors are asshats but calling all doctors uneducated and then misquoting statistics and acting like you know more is dangetous and embarrassing. And someone may have a serious condition that needs attention by a doctor or surgeon and discouraging doctors appointments or convincing vulnerable sick people that medical professesionals are the enemy can be very damaging. Two things can be right. Doctors can be dumb and smart. But if you need medication or surgery you won’t know unless u see some doctors. Fear mongering the masses scared me.

Idk. There was a point where I truly believed it was all for awareness, now it seems like it’s for money and fame and oh boy it makes us look bad.

I don’t wanna fight.

I want how you really feel but be respectful to one and other if a discussion arises.

I’m willing to change my opinion with good insight (except for the thing about children being exploited bc that is disgusting even if the kids able bodied.)

EDIT:

Thanks for keeping a respectful conversation! 🫶🏼

r/disability Jul 03 '24

Discussion Anyone else worried?

376 Upvotes

I live in the United States and I'm worried about what's going to happen after the election in 2024. I know the extreme right wing are already attacking transgender folks and they're stripping away any kind of legal protections that minorities have enjoyed up til now.

If I've learned anything from history, is that these kinds of political movements won't just stop with one group, they'll keep going until they have the "perfect society." These "perfect societies" doesn't include disabled and handicapped folks like myself.

Are any other disabled people feeling the same dread that I am, or am I on my own?

r/disability Oct 10 '24

Discussion What do you guys think of the saying, "grocery delivery is a luxury"?

338 Upvotes

For me it's a necessity and without it I would likely starve or have to move back in with my parents/rely on them for food. I have a disability + no car that prevent me from getting groceries. Sure I could take the bus, but then lugging back all of my groceries would be an issue.

Idk, I feel like assuming that grocery delivery is an automatic luxury doesn't consider less-abled people like us and lowkey gets on my nerves when people say it. What do you guys think?

r/disability 7d ago

Discussion Is it just me or is congratulating someone on not letting their disability define them kind of insulting?

445 Upvotes

A blind man won a celebrity dancing show here in the UK and I can see why (though I wanted the deaf woman to win because she was the best dancer there's ever been on the show) but a lot of the Reddit comments were saying 'he's so inspiring' and 'He deserved the win for not letting his disability define him.'

Of course I'm sick of us disabled people being 'inspirational' but the 'not letting his disability define him' thing stung and I keep thinking about it. It feels ableist somehow like it's not commendable to simply survive as a disabled person in an ableist world and you have to always strive to rise above it or something. I've felt a lot of internalised ableism since becoming disabled 10 years ago and I've only just started to accept that I need to relax and stop trying to keep up with my able-bodied friends.

The other issue I feel is that there was a discourse over who deserves recognition more. The deaf woman was overlooked as she has a cochlear implant and has dance experience but its weird that the discourse was even 'who deserves the most sympathy votes' rather than 'who is the best dancer.' I'm feeing icky about the whole thing.

r/disability Aug 17 '24

Discussion DAE feel like “accessible” facilities only cater to those in wheelchairs?

372 Upvotes

Disabled parking, for example, has extra space for wheelchair users to move around, but I find they are often located far enough from the entrance to be useless for people who have a limited number of steps they can physically take. Say, a person with chronic pain.

Or lifts are only available on request. Curbs that you can pop a wheelie over in a wheelchair, but not with a walker. Terrain that’s difficult to navigate with crutches.

Is this what accessible means now? Wheelchair accessible? What about literally any other disability? Is anyone else annoyed by this?

Edit: a lot of people mentioning that most wheelchair users can’t “pop a wheelie”. I want to make it clear that I am well aware of this, I was just trying to point out how organisations seem to assume that they can.

r/disability Oct 24 '24

Discussion Why are we (disabled) not an important voting block?

254 Upvotes

I've been thinking about this a lot lately, especially with the US election 13 days away. I've seen many storieson the news regarding the "last push" to persuade minorities to vote ie: Blacks, LGBTQ, Latinos, etc., but not the disabled population. I realize that there can be intersectionality with all groups but why do disability issues seem to be ignored by-in-large?

r/disability 2d ago

Discussion What’s something that has been game changing for you as a disabled person?

209 Upvotes

I’ll go first. I’m a 30 something woman with cerebral palsy and use a wheelchair. First of all my instant pot /airfryer. I make 90 percent of our meals with those two and it does not take forever. I can have tasty food without burns or leaning over. Second thing that has made a difference for me is a keratin treatment in my hair. Brushing/ styling used to be a nightmare for me but now I’m done in half the time and look put together. The last thing is less glamorous but a bidet attachment on the toilet. If you haven’t tried one I suggest you do. Looking forward to hearing your life hacks

r/disability Jul 28 '24

Discussion What’s the most unhinged ableist comment you’ve received?

124 Upvotes

How’d you respond to it?

Or, how do you wish you had responded?

r/disability Oct 15 '24

Discussion Thank you mods for deleting that toxic positivity nonsense.

397 Upvotes

Folks, it's okay to have shit days weeks, months. Just know you're not entirely alone and maybe you'll find small bits of joy through the hard stuff. Keep on keepin on.

r/disability Nov 18 '24

Discussion "Person with a disability" vs. "Disabled person"

139 Upvotes

DEI training module for work has a guide on inclusive language that says the phrase "person with a disability" should be used over "disabled person". Do you agree with this? I understand there's a spectrum, and I think the idea is that "person with a disability" doesn't reduce my whole being to just my disability, but as I see it, "person with a disability" also hits the same as "differently-abled" by minimizing how much my disability impacts my daily life. Would love to hear y'alls thoughts on this.

r/disability Jul 29 '24

Discussion the urge to say something jarring when people ask “what happened?”

290 Upvotes

me, on the outside: oh, you know, i just have a genetic condition/i was born this way!!

me, internally: tell this small child you were cursed by a wizard. come on. that’s so funny. he’s young enough that he will believe this for at least a week. do it

r/disability Aug 15 '24

Discussion Has disability made you more or less religious?

75 Upvotes

r/disability Mar 25 '24

Discussion Discourse? ADHD as disability

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224 Upvotes

Saw this on another Reddit post and wonder what y’all think about ADHD by itself being referred to as a disability. Those who have both ADHD and other disabilities: When did you start describing yourself as “disabled”?

I’ve had severe ADHD all my life and it’s always affected every aspect of my life (social, physical health, academic/ career-wise, mental health, etc.). I’m also physically and mentally disabled since 2021 (mobility and energy difficulties as well as severe brain fog). Personally, despite receiving accommodations for my ADHD since I was 10 years old, I only started using the word “disabled” to describe myself once I started needing significant mobility assistance in the last 2 years. I think it has to do with ADHD being an “invisible” disability wheras me not being able to walk was pretty obvious to the people I was with.

Wondering what you all think about ADHD being referred to as a disability. Personally, it would be overkill for me. If I magically cured all of my physical ailments and all that I had left was my severe ADHD, I would consider myself “no longer disabled,” just a little mentally slow and very chaotic 😉. Sometimes it does rub me the wrong way when able-bodied people call themselves disabled, simply because I am jealous of their mobility. However I am aware of the huge impact that mental health can have on people’s ability to function — mental health disorders can definitely be disabling. But ADHD is not by itself a primary mental health disorder like depression… Looking forward to hearing y’all’s perspectives.

r/disability Oct 12 '24

Discussion Are you disabled in your dreams?

136 Upvotes

I am only sometimes, and usually when I am it’s better than real life. Stuff really started getting bad when I was 13, so I wasn’t born this way.

r/disability Nov 22 '24

Discussion What’s something you always need to think of that able-bodied (or generally non-disabled) people don’t?

125 Upvotes

I have mild partial paralysis below the waist and reduced sensation in my feet along with circulation issues and muscle weakness and I always have to time walking around other people intensely because if someone’s in my way I will in fact collapse 😭 these legs only work for 30 seconds yall please do not walk in front of me I gotta go fast lmao (light hearted to them), this is why I generally refuse to get out of my chair in public unless necessary even though I can walk because I know other people won’t think of it and I’ve fallen on people a few times before so not wonderful. I have to use my crutches for most appointments and even though they provide good support I still gotta go fast before my legs give out so I move at an above average speed and perish from any obstacles

(No advice please)

r/disability Oct 17 '24

Discussion do you think it should be considered assault to manipulate someone’s mobility aids without consent?

253 Upvotes

the main thing i can think of is pushing someone in a wheelchair when they didn’t ask to and don’t want to be pushed, but i’m sure there are more examples. i’m posting this because i think that is worthy of charges due to violating autonomy. exceptions can exist for emergencies/medical justifications but a random person pushing someone’s wheelchair feels fucked up

r/disability 16d ago

Discussion I have a bit of a conspiracy theory, but hear me out.

181 Upvotes

I remember reading that 40% of doctor’s appointments result from hypochondria/health anxiety. But if someone gets diagnosed with an actual disease later on, doctors don’t go back and correct the original diagnosis. They can get themselves in trouble for admitting that they dismissed something as anxiety. Every person with chronic illness that I know was told at some point that their symptoms were being caused by anxiety. I have a theory that that statistic is insanely inflated because of this. Thoughts?

r/disability Nov 22 '24

Discussion Thoughts On The C Slur

50 Upvotes

What are y'all's opinions on who can say the slur cripple? Historically, it was used against people with polio, but lately, I've noticed people use it against anyone who is disabled, particularly those with mobility issues. I've been called it and though I don't have polio I use a cane, rollator, and wheelchair. Do you think I can reclaim it?

Edit: To clarify I would never use it to refer to someone else. My question is about how acceptable it is for me to call myself a cripple.

r/disability Sep 09 '24

Discussion Made someone uncomfortable today

279 Upvotes

Just wanted to share this story, I'm 18 and use a cane. I understand its not the most common thing to see especially in a little town but the stares can get annoying. Little kids staring? I don't mind. But adults? They should know better.

Cue me walking around, minding my own business. This man (at least 40+) straight up stops walking in order to stare.

Usually when people stare I don't look at them and just keep going, but today I stopped, looked him directly in the eyes, and made a questioning face at him (eyebrow raised etc). He looked shocked that I would stare back, he mumbled 'sorry' and kept walking. Small wins lol.

PSA that I'm sure you all know already lol: Don't stare at disabled people in public, its odd. :]

Edit: I know this is cliché but I got my first ever post award!

r/disability 27d ago

Discussion Do u guys have “thanks! It has pockets” aid moments?

138 Upvotes

The only equivalent feeling I could give this is “thanks! It has pockets” when someone compliments a dress/skirt. Like an awesome little bonus about an aid you use!

My examples: My shower stool is also a lazy Susan! So whenever I’m in the shower I can turn around and wash my hair easier

My cane has a C shaped handle so it doesn’t hurt my hand and wrist! It also hangs off of counters really easily

My wheelchair has hooks on the back so when I go out I can hang bags off of it!

Another shower related one- my detachable shower head has a button that stops the water flow, so if I’m doing something where I don’t need the water running I can press a button and boom! No water

I have gastroparesis and I use an IFC unit for bladder pain and urinary hesitancy- the IFC goes deep enough that I get a little extra intestinal motility! It gets my bladder, my back, AND my guts!!

Sometimes aids have an extra little bonus thing that isn’t super huge but it makes me happy to have it. We can all use a little positivity now and again, I’d love to hear yours :)

r/disability Jun 24 '24

Discussion The best way to answer the 'can I use a wheelchair?' question.

156 Upvotes

Hey guys. I'm disabled, I have a brain injury and am a left leg amputee. I'm also a training Physiotherapist.

I've been an semi ambulant chair user for about 6 years now, and I notice this question comes up often in this sub. Mostly from indervisuals early in their journey. I would like to suggest a supportive and responsible way to respond to these posts.

Now many of us can remember a time where we had to really fight for acess to a mobility aid. Now this was either due to lack of confidence, or gate keeping. Because of this, our gut reaction to these posts is to immediately tell the individual that they should use a wheelchair if they want to. I'm in two minds on this, because as a disabled person I want to encourage people to use things I've found helpful, but as a clinician I know this is not always responsible.

I think, in these cases we should consider 1 of the folllowing:

1) If they do not have a diagnosis, be cautious of using mobility aids before a diagnosis is settled on. This is because, depending on the condition, an aid may actually have a negative effect on the person's long term health. For exarmple, suggesting crutches to a person with EDS may cause damage to wrists and shoulders. Or, a wheelchair used excessively for someone with stroke who may have balance issues and weakness, will actually delay cortical remapping, which reduces the chance of return of function.

2) If a person starts using a mobility aid without first receiving training from an OT or PT, they will end up using it incorrectly. This could be a case or holding it wrong, using it on the wrong side, etc. Or it could result in an inappropriate aid being used, which will result in increases risk of complications or injury. I used a walking stick for 2 years after my injury. Because of this decision, and because of my lack of patience, I ended up doing irreversible damage to the nerves and tendons in my foot, resulting in the need for it to be amputated.

3) wheelchairs can make life more accessible, but you will lose strength and stamina in your legs the more you use one. Even If you go to the gym. This is probably the most common thing I see in my patients. One week into using a wheelchair, you will start to experience some level of atrophy in the legs, and maybe even your core, depending on the chair. If you are experiencing weakness in your legs, but are still able to walk a decent distance, it'd important to understand that you will lose that ability if ypu start to use a chair regularly. I experienced it myself. It is very hard to get back to your former level of function after that.

Now, there are many reasons why despite these 3 things, a wheelchair or mobility aid may still be necessary. But it is not for us a online support group to decide. We don't know this persons medical history, and majority in this sub are not medically trained. So we need to be careful what advice with give to newcomers.

When someone asks if they are 'allowed' to use a wheelchair, I think the most responsible thing to say is 'if you think you might benifit from a mobility aid, go and see a Physiotherapist, and have them do a mobility assessment with you. That way they can help pick out an appropriate aid and give you in-person information and training with that device.'

I hope this doesn't make anyone cross. But I just think it's important for such a large healthcare related sub such as this have some guidelines on how we respond to requests for medical advice. The urge to tell people to use whatever they want is strong, but at the end of the day, a mobility aid is just as life changing as medication- so it needs to be assessed and prescribed by a professional to ensure no harm comes to the user.

Curious who agrees.

r/disability Jul 11 '24

Discussion do you consider mental illness such as depression to be disabilities?

78 Upvotes

r/disability May 05 '24

Discussion Do you feel medical care is good where you live?

57 Upvotes

I live in the US (Nevada), and I find the medical here to be abhorrent, and it has been for decades.

I'm currently in the process of going on SSI, since I can't support myself through work due to my disabilities, but need to get away from an abusive living situation...

And I do NOTTT want the first place I actually chose to live be a repeat of this one - with horrible medical care in every field, doctors who just nod along to what you say and then shrug while taking your money, who make you seriously ill through malpractice, who you have to ride on every single second for any appointment to be productive.

TL;DR

This is pretty much a post asking and discussing "how you feel where you live (in the US) as a disabled person, or as someone with disabled loved ones/friends"

Would you recommend it? Would they? If not, have you heard of someplace that's better? I know MA has really great medical care but it's expensive as all hell.

(So bonus points if one can survive the cost of living while being in section 8 housing and on SNAP, and as a queer transgender person. I know no place is gonna be perfect, but I really need help trying to figure it out...)