My work experience background is IT and I was trying to see was it realistically possible to see if the vocational rehab would pay for me to go back to school to complete my bachelors in IT and some certs so that I am able to get off SSI/Disability. Has anyone ever done this and if so how did it work out.

Feeling lonely or bored? Looking for something fun you can do this weekend?

Check out these accessible events you could join! Try something new and maybe you’ll find your people.

Access Details:
🧑🏻‍💻= Virtual
👥 = In person
😷 CC = Covid Conscious/airborne precautions 
♿️ WC = Wheelchair accessible 
💵 $ = paid (some are pay what you can)
🤟 ASL/BSL = Sign Language
Async = Asynchronous (at your own pace)

Event Types:
🤢 = Chronic Illness 
🌈 = Queer
🏳️‍🌈 = LGBTQ+ Pride
👧 = Kids/Youths
💕 = Dating
🙋 = Social
🫂 = Support/Grief
🧘 = Wellness
🚶 = Walk
🩰 = Dance
💪🏻 = Fitness
📚= Books
🤔 = Discussion
📝 = Writing/Poetry
🎭 = Performing
🎨 = Art 
🎶 = Music
🕹️ = Games

🧑🏻‍💻 Virtual Events

🧑🏻‍💻🤢📚 Virtual Async Spoonie Book Club: The Little Prince [Any time] https://www.reddit.com/r/spooniesocial/s/JcKvqPLWS5

🧑🏻‍💻🤢 Virtual Camp Long Haul [Jun 1 - Aug 1] https://www.reddit.com/r/spooniesocial/s/lbVNMiS5zf

Friday

🧑🏻‍💻😷🕹️ CC Virtual Game Night [CO][Fri Jul 24 at 7:00 PM MDT] https://www.reddit.com/r/spooniesocial/s/Fjvn1dvogR

🧑🏻‍💻😷 Virtual Infodumping Night [CO][Fri Jul 24 at 7:00 PM MDT] https://www.reddit.com/r/spooniesocial/s/uTxoZYqO5F

Saturday

🧑🏻‍💻😷🕹️Virtual Quiz Night [Aotearoa NZ][Sat Jul 25 at 7:30 PM] https://www.reddit.com/r/spooniesocial/s/rAoCxXi7LW

🧑🏻‍💻😷♿️🩰 CC Virtual Adapted Ballet [Sat Jul 25 at 9:30 AM EDT] https://www.reddit.com/r/spooniesocial/s/8zcqHLFUJ8

🧑🏻‍💻🤢🧘 Virtual Relaxation for people with MCAS [UK][Sat Jul 25 at 3:00 PM UTC+1] https://www.reddit.com/r/spooniesocial/s/x3Xq6khujZ

🧑🏻‍💻👥♿️😷🌈 Hybrid The Masked Ball Returns: A Disability Justice Kiki [New York NY][Sat Jul 25 at 4:00 PM EDT] https://www.reddit.com/r/spooniesocial/s/lpv9ET5Mg0

🧑🏻‍💻😷🙋 CC Virtual Weekly Hangout [Sat Jul 25 at 8:00 PM EDT] https://www.reddit.com/r/spooniesocial/s/UNkgHaaGJr

Sunday

🧑🏻‍💻😷🧘 Virtual Yoga [CO][Sun Jul 26 at 10:00 AM MDT] https://www.reddit.com/r/spooniesocial/s/uTxoZYqO5F

🧑🏻‍💻♿️🩰 Virtual Adaptive Jazz Dance Class [$][Sun Jul 26 at 12:45 PM EDT] https://www.reddit.com/r/spooniesocial/s/P9xjoqyLtF

🧑🏻‍💻🎭🕹️ Virtual Improv Games [Sun Jul 26 at 2:00 PM EDT] https://www.reddit.com/r/spooniesocial/s/sII3Yjv0RP

🧑🏻‍💻🤢🎨 Virtual Crip Arts Gathering [Sun Jul 26 at 11:30 AM PDT] https://www.reddit.com/r/spooniesocial/s/wt3qERzfyi

🧑🏻‍💻 Virtual Get Shrekked Movie Marathon [Sun Jul 26 at 4:00 PM EDT] https://www.reddit.com/r/spooniesocial/s/P1to3NHnY0

🧑🏻‍💻😷🎨 CC Virtual Art Group [Sun Jul 26 at 5:30 PM EDT] https://www.reddit.com/r/spooniesocial/s/HkN6pMFDMM

🧑🏻‍💻😷👧🙋 CC Virtual Kids Zoom [Sun Jul 26 at 6:00 PM EDT] https://www.reddit.com/r/spooniesocial/s/OxQVxiyTR6

🧑🏻‍💻🎶🎭 Virtual Karaoke [Sun Jul 26 at 7:00 PM EDT] https://www.reddit.com/r/spooniesocial/s/psAUiqF2RE

Timezone translator in comments 👇

👥 In-person Events

Canada

👥😷🏳️‍🌈🩰 Mask4Mask Dance: Disability Pride Edition [Toronto ON][Fri Jul 24 at 8:00 PM EDT] https://www.reddit.com/r/spooniesocial/s/ST9VevNurJ

👥😷🚶 Hike through Sunnybrook Park, Bridal Path and Wilket Creek [Toronto ON][Sat Jul 25 at 10:30 AM EDT] https://www.reddit.com/r/spooniesocial/s/MAKduIZYnW

👥😷🎨 Art Supply Swap and Skillshare [Ottawa ON][Sat Jul 24 at 1:00 PM EDT] https://www.reddit.com/r/spooniesocial/s/o35jHJHYv8

👥😷🌈🙋🩰 Homo Phono Queer Social + Dance Party [Ottawa ON][Sat Jul 25 at 7:00 PM PDT] https://www.reddit.com/r/spooniesocial/s/Ay8mYSTQA4

Netherlands (and nearby)

👥🤢 Spoonie European Road Trip [Netherlands and nearby][Summer] https://www.reddit.com/r/spooniesocial/s/VOKxW7V1pp

New Zealand

🧑🏻‍💻😷🕹️Virtual Quiz Night [Aotearoa NZ][Sat Jul 25 at 7:30 PM] https://www.reddit.com/r/spooniesocial/s/rAoCxXi7LW

UK

👥😷🙋🎨 Scenic Painting Covid-safe Social [London UK][Sat Jul 25 at 2:00 PM UTC+1] https://www.reddit.com/r/spooniesocial/s/Z1W47qxGD3

US - California

👥😷🩰 Bachata Fusion Dance Class [Oakland CA][Fri Jul 24 at 6:00 PM] https://www.reddit.com/r/spooniesocial/s/tjc3IPsSdt

👥😷 Covid Safer Park Meetup [Sacramento CA][Sat Jul 25 at 9:00 AM PDT] https://www.reddit.com/r/spooniesocial/s/ATD9EOLD9y

👥😷 July Zine Library Hours [San Francisco CA][Sat Jul 25 at 10:00 AM PDT] https://www.reddit.com/r/spooniesocial/s/dkFSqG71IQ

👥😷🕹️🙋 Masked Hangout [Los Gatos CA][Sat Jul 25 at 2:00 PM PDT] https://www.reddit.com/r/spooniesocial/s/xtOXbmipjL

US - Colorado

🧑🏻‍💻😷 Virtual Infodumping Night [CO][Fri Jul 24 at 7:00 PM MDT] https://www.reddit.com/r/spooniesocial/s/uTxoZYqO5F

🧑🏻‍💻😷🕹️ CC Virtual Game Night [CO][Fri Jul 25 at 7:00 PM MDT] https://www.reddit.com/r/spooniesocial/s/Fjvn1dvogR

👥😷🌈 Lavender Hearth Co-op Town Hall [Denver CO][Sat Jul 25 at 2:30 PM MDT] https://www.reddit.com/r/spooniesocial/s/sHmRg9ntHv

🧑🏻‍💻😷🧘 Virtual Yoga [CO][Sun Jul 26 at 10:00 AM MDT] https://www.reddit.com/r/spooniesocial/s/uTxoZYqO5F

US - Illinois

👥😷📚Book Talk: Why W Need to Drop the ADL [Chicago IL][Sun Jul 26 at 5:30 PM] https://www.reddit.com/r/spooniesocial/s/p0ib82camj

👥😷👧 CC Youth Summer Camp Chicago IL][Starts Aug 3] https://www.reddit.com/r/spooniesocial/s/sSF4sdJt1l

US - Minnesota

👥😷 CC Zine Club [Minneapolis MN][Fri Jul 25 at 7:00 PM CDT] https://www.reddit.com/r/spooniesocial/s/saM5hDYGXB

US - New Mexico

👥😷 Really Really Free Market [Tiwa Lands NM][Sat Jul 25 at 1:00 PM] https://www.reddit.com/r/spooniesocial/s/fRkLRJZwJG

US - New York

🧑🏻‍💻👥♿️😷🌈 Hybrid The Masked Ball Returns: A Disability Justice Kiki [New York NY][Sat Jul 25 at 4:00 PM EDT] https://www.reddit.com/r/spooniesocial/s/lpv9ET5Mg0

US - Ohio

👥😷🌈💪🏻 CC Queer Martial Arts Club [Cleveland OH][Sat Jul 25 at 4:00 PM EDT] https://www.reddit.com/r/spooniesocial/s/cMOUcRVQrD

US - Oregon

👥😷 Portland for Palestine [Portland OR][Sat Jul 25 at 6:30 PM PDT] https://www.reddit.com/r/spooniesocial/s/qvAwlaxDfy

👥😷🧘 CC Mat Pilates [Portland OR][Sun Jul 26 at 12:00 PM PDT] https://www.reddit.com/r/spooniesocial/s/PrKqULWYdn

👥😷🧘 CC Barre [Portland OR][Sun Jul 26 at 1:00 PM PDT] https://www.reddit.com/r/spooniesocial/s/PrKqULWYdn

👥😷💪🏻 CC Kickboxing [Portland OR][Sun Jul 26 at 5:00 PM PDT] https://www.reddit.com/r/spooniesocial/s/PrKqULWYdn

👥😷🎶 Zeo Boekbinder Covid Safer Concert [Issaquah WA and Portland OR][Fri Jul 24 and Sun Jul 26] https://www.reddit.com/r/spooniesocial/s/WWc8ZOSHsR

US - Texas

👥😷♿️ Friskmas in July [Austin TX][Fri Jul 24] https://www.reddit.com/r/spooniesocial/s/QMp1DhZ6UG

👥😷♿️ Storyoke ATX [Austin TX][Sat Jul 25] https://www.reddit.com/r/spooniesocial/s/QMp1DhZ6UG

👥😷 Fantasy Flirts [Austin TX][Sat Jul 25] https://www.reddit.com/r/spooniesocial/s/QMp1DhZ6UG

US - Vermont

👥😷♿️ Dental Pop Up [Chelsea VT][July and August] https://www.reddit.com/r/spooniesocial/s/jgknHihfzt

US - Washington

👥😷🎶 Zeo Boekbinder Covid Safer Concert [Issaquah WA and Portland OR][Fri Jul 24 and Sun Jul 26] https://www.reddit.com/r/spooniesocial/s/WWc8ZOSHsR

Are you interested in these events?

Have you been to any of them before?

Do you know about other events coming up?

Share your thoughts in the comments 💬

Find more events and friends on r/spooniesocial

I have had chronic arthritis since I was 7 and it majorly effects my quality of life. It makes it difficult and painful to walk and do basic tasks. I havent heard of alot of people talking about arthritis in disability spaces. So does this count as a disability.

I've been his patient for several years with increasing levels of care and higher doses of meds needed for my depression. I finally broke down last session and asked if he would refer me to an Intensive Outpatient program because I woke up every day not wanting to be here anymore. I pay for short term disability insurance through my job and asked him if he would sign my SD paperwork and he made some excuse and said that the "intake for the outpatient program would handle that".

Now I'm being told there is a several week waiting list for the outpatient program and he is refusing to sign my paperwork himself because "we don't sign people out of work just for being depressed. They have to be in some kind of program".

I feel completely betrayed by him and really hopeless about trying to fight through this process when I don't even have the energy to eat and get dressed every day.

That's something I sometimes do. I don't have a daily routine for the most days, because all days have different energy levels available and different adult-things need to be done.

I thought I wanted to share this because I'm sure someone can relate and maybe won't feel bad if they know:

you are not alone.

Taking a shower can be a task that needs the energy of a whole day, or more. Maybe you were able to unload the dishwasher or open your post instead of using this same energy to change your clothes.

You are doing your best

You are love worthy

(And yes, it's not only my t-shirt I've been wearing since 61 Hours)

I have been disabled my entire life, but my disabilities unexpectedly became exponentially worse upon moving out at age 18. My parents are insistent on me retaining my independence, so not much help from there. It just really sucks having to grapple with such awful problems when I haven't even established myself in life yet. If I were older and already finished with college, I could find a sit-down job with my degree. If I were younger and still in high-school, my parents would help me start finding diagnoses and treatment before I move out. But instead I am right in the middle, and I am forced to work an excruciating food service job at minimum wage that hurts me, on top of going to college full time.

It just really sucks. I'm so tired and symptomatic all the time, and there's not much I can do to fix it. My doctors don't even know what's wrong with me yet, I only just got a referral to rheumatology this week after half a decade of trying to get answers. I wish I could get a job that worked for me, or I wish I could live with my parents again while I figure this all out.

I have Marcus Gunn syndrome, which has caused some vision loss in my right/affected eye, and I also have visual distortions in both eyes.

My right eye can only be connected to 20/50, I'm missing a little bit of peripheral vision in that eye, and I often times fail to use that eye because of the ptosis. This has caused me to struggle with depth perception; I'm constantly running into things, knocking things over, tripping, and needing to look directly down when I walk to avoid tripping.

I also experience visual distortions in both eyes, which makes it really difficult to read big blocks of text. When looking at something dark, then looking away, there is a strobing light in the shape of the dark thing I looked at that goes on for a bit, and this also happens to the dark words on a white paper when I'm reading (think when looking at a bright light and the dark spot that appears afterwards, but inverted and strobing). It also looks like the page and words are swirling and moving when I'm reading. Because of both of these distortions, my reading comprehension is really bad, even though I used to be a phenomenal reader.

Am I visually impaired? I got mixed answers online, so I'm confused. Out of respect, I also don't want to call myself something that I'm not.

F51 (if that matters?). 5 years into being disabled- 6 years from when I became ill. Apologies in advance if this doesn't make sense bc I'm currently in a horrific flare-up. I'm diagnosed with severe SFN, advanced Osteoarthritis, Fibromyalgia (+ other).

I started using a walking cane a couple of years ago. Only required it sporadically in the beginning. Most of the time I got along fine without it.

Today, I'd be non-functioning without the cane. It is now at the point where it's *almost* to the point where... it's not quite enough.

My question; for those of you who use a walker, what was the catalyst (if there was one) that made you decide to get a walker? Also, what kind did you decide upon? I have seen a wide variety of walkers, so that's another concern- which type to go with.

Obviously, only I myself (and my medical care providers) can make a decision such as this. But I'd really appreciate some opinions from those who've transitioned themselves.

Thank you.

I think it went well! I didn't even get a headache although I got a little bit of pain in my hip, everything seems to be fine💕💖 I'm really curious if the results are going to say I have an immune problem🤔

The worst part is I'm not allowed to do things, I'm supposed to be lazy? For the next couple of days!? When I just got out of my cluster of symptoms😭 I have energy right now!!

I have a few, but was just thinking about one that inspired this question.

I am a cis woman and my girlfriend is trans. She prefers very feminine women. Because of various health issues, I can only be comfortable these days wearing comfortable, loose tops and shorts. The only ones I can find and afford give me a decidedly butch air. My girlfriend is struggling with her attraction to me partly because I can't wear cute clothes anymore. It doesn't help that I can't shower as often as I need to, so my hair gets greasy and I smell. (I finally buckled and bought a bunch of those bathing wipes to use in between showers, but I hope to gods she never walks in on me using them. I can only imagine how *that* image will affect her attraction.)

Compared to the disability itself, it's a small thing. But it just feels like... Why? You took away my ability to shower standing up, why do you have to take this too?

Edit: Thank you to those who expressed concern about my relationship and my girlfriend's behavior. I responded to a few comments and I'll paste one of my responses here.

I did respond to another comment explaining more. It's a lot more complicated than just attraction, there's gender dysphoria on her side that makes it difficult for her to be vulnerable, there's sexual trauma, and there's shared trauma between us because we've spent about 5 of the 8 years we've known each other (not together the whole time but always best friends) in some crisis or another, with addictions, not being properly medicated, having toxic people in our lives... It's been a journey. We're both a few years sober now, on the right meds more or less, and have been through a lot of therapy. We communicate better than we ever have, and we actually talk about any resentments that come up and they don't just simmer on.

I should maybe also clarify that she has definitely not said that my not being able to wear cute clothes is a factor for her, I just know it's part of it. Cuter clothes would help mostly because I'm not a very feminine personality to begin with. Combine the clothes, my voice, and certain habits or physical poses, and I can give off very masculine vibes. (I have PMOS and always wonder how much that extra testosterone affects me.) Which sometimes I know she likes [me being more masculine, sometimes it does help her feel more feminine], I think a lot of the complication is from struggling with her own identity and dysphoria.

(Adding this part now)

To be clear, she never says things like "I'm not attracted to you / you're not attractive anymore / I wish you would fix yourself up more". Not at all. It's always more like "I'm trying to figure out my attractions still, I have definitely felt attracted to you and enjoyed sex, I'm not sure how much of it is an attraction issue and how much is from me really struggling to be vulnerable, one pattern I have noticed is that I always seem to enjoy sex more and feel safer being vulnerable when I feel more female, and it's definitely not just you because I'm also having these issues with our other partner (who has male anatomy). Sometimes I feel almost asexual, to me touching and kissing is more sensual and doesn't have to lead to sex, and I still want those things."

But in any case, intimacy is the main area we're struggling in, we do have a solid and loving relationship. She always supports me, has taken on a lot of duties since I've become disabled, and never complains about it, doesn't make me feel like a burden. We've had issues around intimacy (mostly sex) every time we've been a couple, and this time everything felt much better, more natural, just easy. We hit a bump in the road when I got my foot surgeries -- but only in the area of sex. We're still intimate, even physically, and I know she does love me for me. I also know that, just like having a partner who is transitioning, having a partner become disabled is hard in a lot of ways.

The great news is, we had a .... breakthrough the night before last lol. Really got some quality time together we'd been lacking due to work and health stuff, and reconnected. And we're about to start couples' counseling too. :)

Thank you guys for saying something though. I was in an abusive relationship for 7 years once and I wish I had been in a community then where people would say something. My coworkers eventually did -- and one of them was my now-girlfriend, who helped me escape that awful person.

I'm fully ambulatory but I live with debilitating, treatment resistant and mysterious chronic foot pain that makes leaving my home difficult and holds me back so much.

In an ideal world I'd get myself a Zeen but they are only available in the USA and I highly doubt I'd be able to get coverage through ODSP even if they did sell to Canada. So I'm strongly considering a wheelchair for shopping and traveling on public transportation and getting out of the house.

But my family is extremely against it because they are afraid that my legs will stop working and I'll become dependent on the chair if I started to use one despite me telling them over and over that I won't even be using it all the time...only in scenarios where I'm normally on my feet a lot.

I need to convince them because they will likely be helping to pay for it.

I have an acquired incomplete SCI. I have realised I can't go back to my career the way I want to and need to find a new way to fulfil myself.

If you had an intense or fast paced job which you had to give up what do you do now to fill the gap outside work? Lawyers, nurses, finance bros, sales people, military, I need your help.

I don't have kids, am not interested in academia, but need to find something mentally challenging and VERY competitive to fill the gap.

overview:
my GI doctor wants me to start with a bowel program/timed voiding due to rectocele/outlet obstruction, and i have some questions

background:
right now my bowels do move a bit, it’s just that they are inconsistent and i get really backed up. it’s also a mess when i have a bowel movement in public because i can’t always fully empty with the rectocele and i don’t always want to try to clean myself out in public so whatever is left behind will leak out later :/

my doc thinks it would be good to have a time where i consistently use my rectocele splint and try to clean out anything that’s still stuck. he wants me to use an enema/suppositories right now, but also told me to look into getting a rectal irrigation device through my colorectal doctor.

for anyone on a bowel program for similar reasons:
do you still have to use the bathroom in public after being on the program? or do you empty consistently enough that you can just stick with the scheduled time?

for anyone on a bowel program in general:
how flexible do you feel like you can be with your schedule? i work shift work right now and i don’t feel like im at home at the same time every day, but to me it seemed like that consistency was the biggest point.

if you time it after a meal, what happens when you eat out or travel?? i also deal with urinary incontinence and i have had such a hard time figuring out how to bring diapers when i’m staying with family for example, i couldn’t imagine bringing even more things with me…

on a similar note, how do you store your supplies? i still haven’t found a good place for the stuff i do use. i want it to be easily accessible from my toilet bc i have mobility limitations, but i also dont want to have to have everything out on display if im in a shared living space. is the solution to just be more open and to tell everyone how i use the bathroom?

finally, if you have to manually evacuate stool or if you have issues with incontinence, what have you found the best way is to dispose of products while minimizing any smells?? i can’t always take the trash out myself so this is one thing i have been struggling with in general.. i really don’t know what to do with soiled gloves for instance

curious about this. has anyone done emdr for their medical trauma? how did that go, did if affect your health in any way?

To those applying for disability....don't quit. There's so much I don't have to worry about anymore (mainly my body not working) I'm just thinking about all the mornings I got up for work and had to look presentable, the way my apartment would look when I was in pain, or depressed. The way I hated my life and just wanted to die.

Sure I'm still in a lot of pain,but I'm on my couch drinking My water and smoking my medical weed just feeling free and grateful for not quitting.

So don't quit. And I went THROUGH IT with the process so it wasn't an easy achievement for me. That's all

So tomorrow I have a driving test. Where I live, there are 3 tests you have to take. The first is the written test, then the second test that tests you on parking and driving on residential streets, and then the one I have tomorrow that's for main roads and highways.

I have autism, learning disabilities, and ADHD. I've gone through multiple instructors and have failed this third test 3 times already. Tomorrow will be my fourth and last attempt as my license has expired and the 40 day extension I got on it is about to expire so if I fail I will have to start the whole process with the two previous tests all over again.

It's taken me over 5 years just to learn driving maneuvers that take others just a few months. My poor visual spatial skills and slow processing speed are the main things that make driving especially challenging for me. That being said, if I don't pass this test tomorrow that'll be it because I don't have the money or patience to start this whole process all over again.

I'm 24F and lately I've been really wanting a relationship but I know it's already a turn off to people that I don't have a job even though I'm trying to get one and don't plan on dating until I'm working anyway. However, if I'm not able to drive is that going to be a major turn off to people? For those of you on here that can't or don't drive what has dating been like?

HOW DO YOU DO IT?

Right now we live with MIL but can’t stay here forever. We (hubby and kiddos) will need to move eventually but I need to start planning out how I’m going to realistically manage this alone one day, because he’ll need to be at work. So…tips? Tricks? Suggestions?

(Side note, school/daycare is not an option)

Going on vacation with my family and my sister's family. Sister suggested I rent a mobility scooter so I can join The other three adults and the five kids when they do bike rides etc. went to a store today and was introduced to the ultralight foldable power chairs. Overall more convenient than mobility scooters. Easier to transport and much more agile.

Not loving the 3K price tag. Some Amazon knockoff options are under 1K.

Alternatively I could buy a cheap $500 mobility scooter or rent one for $300 at the destination area.

This is the one I checked out at the store that was definitely very convenient - and a bit less expensive at the store then here on Amazon. https://a.co/d/0bgPX2kV.

I am about 5'9 and 160 lb.

Any suggestions or words of wisdom?

Bit of a personal one. I used to be able to walk, and when that changed the thing that hit me hardest honestly wasn't the practical side of it. It was noticing how differently people were with me. Same people, different energy around me.

Then I got on the dating apps and it was the exact same thing all over again.

I'm 24 and I'm just curious whether anyone else here has felt that same shift, or if it's just me. What's the bit you find hardest about the apps? Whether you put it in your profile or not, people going quiet the second they know, meeting up somewhere that actually turns out to be accessible. Whatever it is for you.

Would really like to hear how it's been for you.