/r/disability
News, resources, and perspectives pertaining to individuals with disabilities.
News, resources, and perspectives pertaining to individuals with disabilities.
Feel free to edit your flair to reflect whatever disability you identify as having. This doesn't have to be a medical diagnosis either. You can identify as "Deaf," "wheelchair-user" or just plain "crip," as some folks do. And, if you don't have a disability, no worries! Just mark it up however you like.
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/r/disability
It feels like things are getting more difficult..
I was denied service for drives for Red Cross and in Ontario all we need is a drs note. Which I has from 2022. But they still refused so I was fighting in for several days
They finally agreed and asked for my Dr note to be faxed
So I called my health clinic and asked if my NP would forward my Dr. Well I get a call from redcross saying it says its ESA and not a Service animal. I was like what? No.. turns out they wrote another one to them and changed it to service animals
So now red cross says no again
I called my medical clinic asking to change the wording and they said their policies have changed and that they cannot make a letter unless the service animal had specific training certificates So now my dogs been changed to an ESA when that's not even what she is And to get privatized certification Now is not going to be feasible. Its like 3k It's also not mandatory to have that. And there's nothing that regulates this in Ontario.
I don't think a Dr can demote a service animal due to their own policies. And I didn't think medical clinics could make their own polices. They they have to follow the AODA.
The worse part is my medical office has seen her many times. She is always well behaved and does her tasks. She was trained but not with a company that certifies When I first got her and spoke to a trainer it was him who pointed out that for what I needed I only needed a drs note. Which I did get. And now they are changing it?!
As a disabled concert goer who can't stand or walk for more than short periods, I have experienced a range of accessibility policies. I'm lucky enough to have yet to experience any that aren't meeting minimum legal guidelines, most of them are just that, minimum.
I've gotten placed in a chair behind everyone else with no elevation so I can see when people stand, been told a million different answers by the same venue staff, and so on, I'm sure many of you can relate.
But I just attended two concerts at a venue that made me feel so accounted and cared for. There was an ADA section where people were not standing, it was close to the stage, when they saw I wanted to get merch they brought me to the front of the line, the ADA bathrooms weren't a stall I had to wait for, they were entire rooms with no lines, they lit up the way with flashlights when people moved from their seat, they were all so very nice and kind. I have never been more comfortable seeing a concert than I was there, I was so comfortable and so close that I asked security if I could go up and try to get a setlist at the end of the show, they told me to go ahead and I got one!
I never thought I'd get a setlist, those are for the people who can camp and stand for hours but I got one because of the accessibility policies the venue had in place.
Thank you thank you thank you a million times to The Bellwether in Los Angeles for your policies and your amazing staff. You made me feel cared for and you made me feel equal.
I have a chronic osteomyelitis (inflamed bone) in my collerbones. Because of that I had to give up a lot of the things that made my life fun, like running swimming or any kind physical activity really. Some years ago I begun drawing and got really into video games. I really enjoy it and makes my life a little brighter and happier. But 3 weeks ago my fingers and wrist begun to hurt. In a similar way my collerbones do.
A doctor once told me that with my record of inflamed illness it's very likely for my to get "classic" rheuma (arthritis or arthrose) when I get older...
I'm 20 now and I'm so so scared that I will lose the ability to enjoy the things I love...
I know that I'm probably just paranoid and I can't know anything for certain till my doctor's appointment 3 weeks from now.
But I am scared. I don't want the things I love to hurt me...
(Sry for grammer english is not my first language)
Asking for...... a friend.... I got my first wheelchair during a very hard time in my life, he was with me through 2 house moves, most outings, I decorated that bad boy so much, wheelchairs are a special interest of mine and I always found wheelchair maintenance to be really calming. I was also that sad person who celebrated my wheelchair's 18th birthday because it's second hand and absurdly old.
After trying to add more and more supports I realised that my backup is actually working so much better for me mostly due to the 70° front frame angle rather than 90°.
It looks like I might actually be able to sit for any length of time now which is great if it keeps working for me but also I'm obscenely sad.
What if you have disability services and it’s doing nothing ? I’m not making this up, I have gotten zero help and it’s been years .
It’s an agency that is supposed to help me and my family
I didn’t know what sub to put this in. I am disabled due to Bipolar Disorder, but I am also developing some unrelated physical limitations, I struggle on stairs, can’t stand for long periods of time, and walk extremely slow.
I am divorced, and we have a child who is now 19 years old. Our custody arrangements over the years included that their father gets Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, and I get the 26th. Even though our child is now an adult, we still follow this schedule. My EX is a retail manager and the only day they are closed is Christmas Day.
Every year, I feel like I “should” want to do some kind of volunteer activity on Christmas Day.
But I’m not really sure where to start.
I feel like I would be doing it for myself, to make ME feel better/less lonely…not because I really want to volunteer.
I’m currently a regular volunteer at the animal shelter. I’m not sure yet, but if they allow it, would that be “enough” to just spend some time with the kitty cats? (I’m not physically strong enough to handle the larger dogs, so I just work with the cats).
I know the 25th is just another day, and the 26th is just as special…but it’s like that song - “Nobody ought to be all alone on Christmas”
I rent and my landlord doesn't want me installing anything in the shower. I tried the suction-on handles and it's so unreliable I think it's more likely to cause an accident than prevent one.
Are there any waterproof stability bars or walker or anything I can put in my shower? My shower is fairly large has a built in seat but I can't use it at all without something to help me get up and down lol
Hi all!
A biomedical engineer here. I am trying to innovate wheelchairs and have identified some gaps through the patients and people I have worked with and interacted with but I want to get a better picture of others' thoughts.
I am reaching out to the community to see what you would change about wheelchairs. I know that this is a broad question and anything goes! This is a question to wheelchair users and also to caregivers to get a sense of what gaps exist today.
Thank you!
Hi all! Hope I’m doing this right, but also kinda terrified right now so sorry for any mistakes.
I am in oil and gas refining in a position not in the field/ outdoors. Edit: 29f diagnosed with EDS & Dysautonomia I was diagnosed with a chronic condition earlier this year after an incident at work where I became unconscious and kissed the floor unexpectedly . Sucks but I’ve been able to get it under control, after this incident I was terrified I would be fired or pushed out of my job. I’ve had to got to a lot of doctors appointments just to stay on top of it.
A new symptom of suspected seizures started a few months ago and has progressed to being almost unbearable. I have testing in the works, but even if it comes back that they are non epileptic, I still have them. If they are non epileptic I’ve been told to “lower my stress” which is laughable. It just feels like after all of the lifestyle changes and constant work to get my illness under control, the deck is still stacking the other way on me being able to continue in my position. I love my job. I love my coworkers and what I’m doing. I don’t want to stop because of this craziness. I’m sure this is what everyone who is diagnosed has gone through and I’m trying to suck it up and keep it together but it feels like it’s all falling apart.
My question is: I work in a dangerous field. I work with substances that can melt you face off. One of my coworkers knows what’s going on in case of emergency, but after the testing comes back do I have to disclose to my work due to safety? Our company nurse is amazing but I am terrified they will slap me with a “you can no longer perform job functions safely”
I haven’t even asked for accommodations for my chronic illness and was told to take intermittent FMLA instead. Would I have to make a formal accommodation request?
Thank you all for your time in reading this. I know it’s rambling
Hey everyone!
I am in college and doing a project for an entrepreneurship class. The goal of this project is to identify an issue and develop some product/service that has market viability and the potential to help solve the problem. I read a post in here where someone was wishing for an app that could help them effectively track their symptoms, and this seemed like a great idea! I was wondering if this is a common sentiment among people with many different disabilities. Maybe something like this could help patients carefully track and advocate for their symptoms and experiences with doctors, as I know many with "hidden" disabilities can struggle a lot to get diagnosed and listened to. If anyone would be willing to share their thoughts or experiences I'd be beyond grateful!
Hey all,
I applied for disability at the beginning of August and have been stuck on step 2. I am in the state of pa and it says it usually takes between 15 to 30 days to get past step 2. I'm just confused because they haven't reached out to any of my doctors yet and it's been over 90 days. I did quit my job and have tried to talk to a representative twice now and they have not helped at all (i wanted to make sure they had all of my info and was asking if they needed anything else since the website said to tell them if anything changes).. Today I actually cried because the lady was kind of rude and I have such bad anxiety about talking to people. I'm just having a hard time and wanted to see if anyone else has related to this experience? I just feel like crap
Hello everyone,
So I have this friend who lives in Egypt ( this can be helpful for context) and who has had a double above knee amputation since a very young age. And who does not wear prosthetics (for context also).
I will be visiting there in the close future, and would love to take them to enjoy some things that they never experienced before such as horse riding and amusement parks (they have been to amusement parks before obviously, but have almost always systematically been denied most attractions and were mostly just stuck watching others enjoy their time)
So I would like to know if you had any tips for horse riding, and while I am still looking for a center that can provide accessible and adaptive rides in Egypt , the horse scene in Egypt is not that developped, so we may end up just going to a random guy or center with a tame and calm horse and just try to accomodate the ride , which would probably be just a one time thing, just for the experience of it, which why I would like to know if there are any tips or equipment that can be bought to accomodate them in the ride.
And I would also know, which amusement park rides are really dagerous for them, and which they are just being denied by fear of the staff of their difference (for example I can't see how a roller coaster with a totally upper body and between the legs safety system, can still be dangerous for them), we are obviously talking here about the attractions with a good adrenaline amount and not about the panorama train or the teacup.
Any advice would absolutely help and thanks to everyone who answers.
Howdy- Within the last year / 4 months, I have learned that I am... far more disabled then I thought I was.
I managed to get SSI 3 years ago and Snap without documentation from how sheerly bad my anxiety was. My therapist I got within the last few months said I have one of the worst cases he's ever seen. Add onto that, I found I have combined ADHD, severe depression, OCD, bipolar, and now I have carpal tunnel in both of my hands, and lymphedema.
I can't work. I'm trying my hardest to find something, or to figure out what to do- but I am... confused and struggling with it. Just going outside the house is taxing, and I get tired very easy... even when going to a place is for pleasure, or to see a friend.
However, I only just learned about DAC, and I'm trying to file for that. I do not know what else I should file, or how I'm supposed to help myself given my status. I want to have more income so I can help my family, and be able to get some nicer things for myself.
I'm not sure where to go from here, or how to help myself further.
Note - Massachusetts
About 2 years ago my disability which I ignored as chronic pain began impacting my ability to walk, I'm now unable to walk more than 4 steps on my own without collapsing.
So here's what's going on, I'm now significantly more attracted to other people who are physically disabled, like they are more appealing than able bodied people for some reason. I mean, I've had a lot of bad experiences with how able bodied people have treated me in relationship (Infantilizing, not letting me do anything for myself, treating me poorly because I'm an inconvenience, getting called cr*pple and the r slur, tossing me around because my body is too fucked up to fight back, pushing me over to laugh at... I used to be a good sport but it was excruciatingly painful), but it never made them as a group less attractive to me, its just that I'm finding other physically disabled people a lot more attractive than I used to. I was told by some of my able bodied friends this was fetishism (???) and wrong and that I should stick to able bodied men to "take care of me"
So am I gross for feeling this way? People are telling me I'm gross for being more attracted to physically disabled people as a physically disabled person.
Note: I was told to clarify I'm physically disabled so it is clear my body is whats wrong with me instead of my mental health or brain structure. Idk if I have to do that here.
So i'm going to be tested for POTS soon via a tilt table and I was told that i qualify for a service dog if i end up having POTS but i work as a caregiver and i don't know if i'd be able to continue working as a caregiver or if i'd be able to have a service dog with me at work. does anyone know how it would work?
I struggle a lot with working, and I have long periods of time where I can't do it at all. However, I know that working a little, with the right accomodations, helps my mental and physical health, so I've always been determined to try to make it work out in my life.
I've chosen to be open about my (invisible) disability at work, and I've had to ask for a few accomodations etc. I started there getting my salary paid by the welfare system, so that I could work there on my disabilitys terms, without that being a huge cost for the company. The salary was very low, pretty much symbolic, but for a 17 year old living at home, just starting out in the work-world, I thought it was fair.
However, I've worked in this company on and off for nearly 10 years now. I'm 26 years old, I live by myself, I have a lot more experience and have worked there for longer than many of my coworkers. I'm being told by everyone, and I also know for myself that I'm doing a good job there. But the payment situation remains unchanged. It doesnt cost my company anything to have me there, and I'm severely underpaid. I'm on disability benefits, so it's not like I can't make ends meet, but I feel unmotivated, unfairly treated and underappreciated in my job because of this. With the increased prices and everything, it costs me more to drive to work than I earn in a day. I get no additional support to buy clothing, and it's a job that requires quality clothes, and they get worn out quickly.
To make matters worse, I learned that my boss, who I always respected and thought of as a nice person, actually could have paid me more. The welfare salary thing is a weird system, where they kind of give the company a monthly sum, and the company can choose how much of this they want to pay their employe. I learned the other day that she keeps most of this, I only get a very small amout.
I'm not sure what my rights are. I don't even have an employment contract, I don't get regular meetings with my employer to discuss these kind of issues, I'm not sure if I'm insured through work etc, everything is very much "small town style", (we're all good friends why take it so seriously, etc etc) and I'm expected to just be happy to be there.
I just don't understand how it's fair. My family tells me I shouldn't expect to get more paid when I am disabled, and that it doesnt matter since I'm on benefits anyway, but for me it does. It affects my self esteem. Kills my motivation, and makes me less enthusiastic about my job. Makes me feel unworthy, and unsure of my role at work. I've talked to the welfare system people about it, but they all seem to be of the same perception - I'm supposed to be happy to work just to have something to do, it's important for me to take it slow and try out stuff, and I can't expect to be paid the same as my non disabled coworkers.
The general idea seems to be that since I'm economically safe, I shouldn't expect to be paid for my work. I disagree - when I work I want that work to be fairly appreciated, and I'd rather have them cut down on my benefits. I also think this kind of system, and how socially accepted it is to hire people that way, especially in small communities, is ableist. I feel used - both as free workforce, and as a "look at us we hire someone disabled" face for the company. (I'm personally not very open about my disability, but it's a small town you know, and the gossip level is fucking insane).
I'm not sure what to do cause I'm extremely anxious about speaking up about this situation with my boss. She's well meaning, she's been nothing but nice to me, this whole situation has just become so complicated for me. I'm scared of things coming out wrong, I'm scared of creating a bad reputation for myself, to become a victim of workplace gossip - and maybe mostly scared that I'm overreacting, and that they were all right this whole time. That I am actually quite useless, that my work really isn't worth to pay for, that I'm only hired for "charity".
This got a bit longer than I expected it to be, but I suppose this might be the right place to find people who's been in similar situations. What are your thoughts? Should I accept this situation? do something about it? Do you ever think it's fair to hire somebody long term and underpay them due to disability? Anyone got a similar story to share?
I have bad OCD, regreting, and thinking negetive way. For example, I started to take certain type of pills or supplements for my blood flow. And It somehow helped to my peripheral nerve symptoms and also brain fog.
Then, my OCD work and started to think, oh so, if my peripheral nerve symtom had been due to low blood flow, there obviously had been nerve damage and brain damage with really long experiences with this more than a decade.
Even when, my OCD thoght doesn't come, I feel like I should think that way, like I owe it. and whenever I got new symptoms, I feel like I have to feel sad more than I feel. Since what I usually feel is just numbness, I feel like I owe sadness just like other ppl, expecially healthy people who mourn for their little damage, (compared to severe disease or disability)
I am sorry if my venting drag you down...
33F, degenerative disc disease, nerve compression, sciatica, ibuprofen as needed
Constant lower back pain that sometimes makes my legs go numb or feel tingly, mostly on the right side. Got an MRI hoping to finally understand what's going on, but I feel more lost than ever. I have nerve compression and disc degeneration, but I’m still confused about what all of this means for my daily life and what I should be doing for my back to make it better.
Has anyone else felt this way after an MRI? I’m curious how others with chronic pain or disabilities make sense of their imaging results. I'd love to hear any tips for understanding what these reports actually mean and how to start treating the pain.
i (21f) have CMT disease (neurological disorder) and it effects mainly my feet and legs. when im standing on my feet all day, i experience chronic pain so i limp or “walk weird” (as most people say).
i work in a fast food restaurant with a lot of young kids and poor management, so of course things rarely run smoothly. i kept getting customer complaints all day that no one was answering the 2nd drive thru speaker (i was on 1st) and i have to deal with it at the window. i had asked, politely, several times earlier in the day if someone could answer the speaker. people continued to complain even after the GM said something about it and left, so i finally walked up to a manager (who was talking and not doing anything) and said “this is the last time im going to ask someone to answer the 2nd lane headset” and walked away.
fast forward to closing, and i have multiple coworkers “confess” to me that this manager BEHIND MY BACK has 1. mocked or preformed the way i walk 2. said i “looked disabled”, “that i must have something like cerebral palsy” in front of MULTIPLE COWORKERS AND CUSTOMERS.
so i reported him to ethics and my GM, i was told “he will no longer be in the store”. I assumed he got terminated or fired (rightfully so) because of discrimination. yesterday (my first day back since the “incident”) and i learned the managers offered him a relocation to another restaurant…
i honestly don’t know how to feel at this point.
I feel I am useless, and a burden, or mediocre at most when I realized the edyent of how disbalws I am.
Let me explain furthermore. I am 20 years old and I am legally blind, I have a gait and s limp after an accident. But nevertheless I can still even run, walk and dance. Even that the gait is very noticeable I am agile and after many years of recovery with no chronical pain.
I do whorever have epilepsy that is when having stress, and my neurological system is very delicate. I had suffered all my life from mental illness and even that know I do not have any (Or at least in active symptomatology) I am prove to in stress deteriorate quickly physically, mentally and neurologically.
I am from Mexico, and many complications including the delicate neurologist system and the proveness of being sick of upper airways, getting injured easily and poor motor control between others are as I was born at 27 weeks. (6 months) And a criminal negligent doctor made me loos my vision by retinopathy, my right eye is blind and I see with the left which I a legally blind. Less than 20/200 in my left eye. The hospital gave my parents a millionaire settlement which my mother and father spended all for themselves. Essentially they robbed it for their own pleasures and yes, obviously that did not lasted and we became poorer and poorer and my health worsened at every moment with them not having what the money was for!
Even though my childhood was a facade as they tried to pretend we where in a good position. I always knew my life was harder than the rest of the kids just by existing.
Instead of getting me in specialized education they insisted in me being in a normal school and education because they wanted me to be 'Normal' And the few special education schools literally saved my life, and so much that they reached me how to write and now I am a professional author. But they refused a true support for me.
They wanted me to be normal but at the same time they where over protective. They never allowed me to have normal childhood experiences like spending the night in a friend's house, to play in a park without them at my side at all times, controlling my friends and never allowing me going anywhere with them. The doctors visits and all of that. They knew I was more vulnerable but I always was mad at them thinking it was as being helicopter parents.
At teen I was very rebellious. I experienced a lot of things relationships, drinking, dancing if there was a party. And, once more I realized. My parents even that I experienced more than many adults in all their life's in my teens. I realized that I did not had the same experience as others.
I could not run as they did, sports as they did. I was clumsy, I needed to stand in the whiteboard. I could not comprehend mathematics as the visual part. I got lost constantly and I started fearing what would happen.
At 16 I had an accident, I almost died. And in those years I thought that when my leg would be better. All would be the same. And no, it was not like that. Until I was eighteen I had never gone out alone in my life.
My right eye is blinded. Is without pupil, it looks of a blue color. And that tormented me so much. As a child they did called me constantly horrible names like, monster, Picasso painting, phantom of the opera (Not to bad but yes) The eye does haves the sense of asymmetry and shame.
And how I behave as my body language. And naturally so. Many had suggested autism in the way. But I act so strangely as my parents had me so isolated most of my life that my social interactions and how to behave where learned in theater, operas, literature and history. That is very true. I act strangely and with my blind eye even if being profesional and polite or even never speaking. They realize.
I had been denied by seeing me being blind, with my cane and my eyes even being lifted by busses and taxis. When I use my weelchair. Someone else needs to make the taxi stop. At works that I can have are call centers that are impossible for me to keep as my neurology and visual impairments. As a writer, my commissions are so low that no one can live with just 150 USD of pensión (Again. My country is like that. Is what they gave you every TWO months if you are disabled and nothing else with less than 30 more that I can have writing. And pension I refer disability benefits)
In perspective I have 75 USD a month when for living the average woild need at least 500 to 1000 USD for living.
I have an associate degree in law. And the worst is. They can call me from a job offering that is in the best offices of my city. México city. And say I am just the right person.
As I mostly had done anything else ro do but write and study, I had done all those works, I had been a tutor, edior, professor and translator and self directed learned all my life. They are impressed at that profile so young. Meaning they would absolutely hire me, they had seen Inmediatly interested. Even just a call in the same day for me to go there. But when I go, suit and all. They seem so uncomfortable. With my gait even more so.
They say politely that my profile doesn't adjust to their needs, even that I was called immediately! In others I had passed all and even recueved the offer in the office in their automatic system. But when I accept they tell me that my profile, either psychological (Which did was passed through as the system internally offered the application as you know, call centers) Or any reason. Or that 'They fear I will be in jured or harmed ' For saying no.
I had applied everywhere. McDonald's from cinemas to all. And they say either I am 'Over qualified ' They told me tdt after I send a resume saying I just had middle school and knew English as work experience for having a chance.
When I go out, I am lost. I need assistance for the street crossing. And turning left and right. And to follow directions and moving in the city. I had been robbed if I have bills because I am confused of nor seeing them.
If my parents would die, as I still live with them and still studying furthermore. I would be left without anything. My sister can make a normal life. But I need support.
I am thinking in political asylum, my father was being offered the Canadian citizenship at the eighties. But as you needed to give up the Mexican one. My father did not do so. Or Europe. Or US. Anywhere. When I tried living alone in writing and pensions and credits. I was starving to death in less than a month.
My country does not give any support if you are disabled. They trust the family will take charge. But that if course is stupid! My sister will never accept me in her home if I need her. And I don't have any family or friends that can provide me in a home or support.
I fear my future. Before this. I saw myself as a successful author. That people loved my works for modest as they where. That I was intelligent. That I had love and friends and, a future. I realize that all that doesn't secure anything. I am left alone. And as in news. Most of disabled people in my country are in homelessness if they donr have their families.
What should I do? For being all honest. And yes. I had seek applying for jobs in other countries. But visa sponsorship jobs are very rare and most will not offer it. And without that you cannot go there and work.
My only thing. As I had told, is ghat if I have asylum of any sort. I will work. I will live. Knowing I will have support if anything should happen. I had worked all my life and tried to pretend I am able bodied without realizing that I am not. And life it is indeed so nuch hard now. And even if I would sue my parents. Which I don't want to, they would not be able to give me a single cent as all we are in the verge of only surviving.
Hi, I'm going to preface this by saying I'm a teenager and am very confused about many things.
So, I struggle with balance and getting dizzy a ton. My knees also hurt very often. The Internet tells me to drink more water to help, I, unfortunately, really struggle with remembering to drink enough water.
If anyone has advice on better water drinking habits (I'm also AuDHD fyi) or if I should just get forearm crutches, please lmk
Edit: thanks for your insight, I'll go see a doctor as soon as possible (even though they're scary). I was really tired when I posted this so not a lot of thought was there
I think I traumatized my sister even more than she already is from the last several years. A little background l- over a span ranging from 2016-2022 we lost several immediate family and one very close one almost every year with a break between 2018-2022. In that span we lost our sister in law to breast cancer in 2016, our dad to suicide in 2016, our aunt two weeks after our dad due to pneumonia, our uncle to complications of copd in 2018 and finally our mom to complications from a perforated colon. She was the one who actually found my dad when we bother were looking for him that fateful early evening and this has unsurprisingly stuck with her all this time later.
Anyways I am disabled due to multiple (4) fractured vertebrae, multiple spinal surgeries, and the complications from them both. I went through a period of a few years where I was searching not only for the right drs, but also the right concoction of medicine to help me just get through the day. Nowadays I’m on a heavy dosage of Oxycodone mixed with hydromorphone from a pain pump located in the flank of my torso. Recently as ridiculous as this may sound I think I developed some sort of trauma or very mild ptsd from being dumped by my primary care physician. With everything going on with me it has become increasingly harder as I get older to make these appointments on time especially while having a severe gastrointestinal disease to suffer from that can hit me at moments notice out of nowhere. Due to me having to call the same day and having to reschedule or cancel my appointments he finally decided to terminate my relationship with that clinic even though it was without a 30 days or any days notice for that matter (highly unethical I know but I don’t have the energy to do anything besides complain to the state board of health. Anyways, like I said I’m screwed up severely with a new form of pts due from dealing with the fallout from above.
Recently though I’ve been having issues regarding communication with the clinic that I see that manages the meds and pain pump. I’ve become to fear, somewhat irrationally I hope, that the issue that I dealt with for my pcp will happen again with the clinic which would be just about the worst possible outcome I can imagine for me to deal with as this is medicine I cannot do without. I’ve already felt what it’s like to have to struggle with severe unrelenting pain due to the wrong dr under prescribing the pain meds or given the wrong ineffective meds entirely. I’ve told my sister, as she is also my surrogate and poa that if my fears become real and I’ve become burdened with not having my clinic supply the meds I need that I will have no other choice but to consider ending it all before going back and acing to suffer from debilitating pain I know all to well from before.
I hate to put her in that spot and I told her this, but I I’ll be damned if I’m going to willingly put myself through all of that again!!!!! Anyways, no help needed as this is much more of a rant than anything else really.
I work as a special education teacher. At my school I have noticed that, while there are meetings and trainings that talk about topics such as student safety, parent teacher communication, individualized education plans, and classroom management, there is not nearly as much discussion about data collection and how to navigate online curriculum resources, and a lot of times i end up having to ask colleagues for support or try to figure it out myself. And as a special education teacher who happens to have a documented learning disability, I am currently in the process of getting re-evaluated so that i can hopefully get work accommodations, but meanwhile I still feel frustrated at work. I try to speak up but sometimes I get nervous or scared and I struggle to communicate which makes it harder for me to get the support that I need. Is there anyone out there who can relate or offer advice?
My wrists have been killing me since I started using my wheelchair daily. Does anyone know any good wrist braces that I can still push my chair in? Also I know the pain is bc my chair sucks, so pls don’t mention it bc I can’t get a different one!!!
I visited my aunt I hadn't seen in almost 20 years. I kind of look up to her because she is successful. We went to a butterfly exhibit, where there was an very large enclosure filled with trees, plants and hundreds of butterflies. There was a winding path to walk and seating. We spent over an hour there.
There was a group of maybe 8 people, mostly in wheelchairs and 2 people accompanying them. The disabled people seemed on the higher needs side, but really enjoying the experience. Sometimes one of them would have a loud verbal outburst, probably in excitement, which could be heard loudly through the entire exhibit. It wasn't often, but a few times.
My aunt said after one of these outburst that she could do without that. I have worked with disabled people for the last 3 years and that made me feel uncomfortable. I didn't say anything to her.
From working with disable people, I look at them, like normal people, just like everyone else, except they have a disability. Their disability disappears once you know them.
I don't know if I should have said anything.
I (34f) have had chronic fatigue for about 5 years now. After being single for over a year, I am anxious to meet someone special, and hopefully find my forever person.
Its exhausting though, and even on my days off of work, I don't have the energy to keep up a conversation with someone new. On top of all of that, I'm autistic with ADHD and struggle with getting to know people, and sharing parts of my life.
I'm also worried that I don't have enough to offer a partner, in exchange for the type of support I am desperate for in a partner. It all feels so hopeless and lonely.
Anyone in relationships have advice for me?
We're long distance and he's dealing with a myriad of health conditions, mostly his heart. He cannot walk long without him getting short of breath and his fingers turning blue, went to the hospital a few weeks ago for a suspected heart attack. He also seems to have chronic fatigue.
The doctors keep on dismissing him, they imply he's crazy or drug seeking or whatever else, because he has a BPD diagnosis (he doesn't even have BPD ffs, if anything I'm the unstable one between us lol). He keeps getting rejection letters and being denied help from health professionals.
I'm doing all I know I can do, letting him talk as much as he needs about it (it seriously never bores me), helping him wake up when he needs to, not being upset when he needs to sleep more than usual, trying to give him hope of a better future.
I'll begin working again in a couple months and I'll surely be helping out as much as I can then as well. If we were living together I wouldn't mind doing chores for him, I'd do anything. But rn, because of the distance, it's hard to actually do stuff.
What else could I do to help?
I was in a group on a different SM site, and someone said that LTD insurance company was peeking in their windows; trying to get evidence of no disability (or something like that).
Is that even legal? Has anyone experienced that?
I have a large home and many windows, and I often push myself harder than I should, because I have kids and 0 help.
I don’t want them to see me taking care of my kids, and think I’m not struggling to breathe the whole time. Or that I’m not in significant pain.
I had to stop working because I simply couldn’t do both, as I was running myself into the ground, due to my disabilities (mental and physical).
I really need this time off to heal or get to a better baseline - and an effective pain treatment plan 😩
Im on ssdi and have a part time job, I was hired 4 years ago and it was a 10-15 hour a week job, now it is a 20-25 hour a week job because they can't keep people.
I have reasonable accommodations but refusing to work extra hours isn't one of them, they will just let me go. Even though it's THEIR fault they have no coverage because I'm not responsible for them not hiring people
But if I quit or they let me go, we will struggle really bad... we are already struggling. My husband works up to 60 hours a week to take care of us and I feel guilty that I barely contribute.
But I'm getting worse... and getting so many hours is going to start affecting my ssdi payments.
But I can't imagine any other job that will accommodate me the way this one does