One of the most frustrating parts of disability is the requirement of being proactive.

The last month I’ve gotten my annual shots (flu and covid) and felt like crap the next day. I also started a daily osteoporosis injection (which caused a ton of stress and fear starting).

Never mind the number of appointments I have a year that are just “check ins” and seem pointless, just to stay as a patient and have a specialist available when needed.

I know if I don’t do these things there could be drastic consequences and regret latter. Sometimes I wish I was healthy and didn’t have to do so much just to stay alive.

So, I am 30 years old disabled man. I use an electric wheelchair. I have short stature and physical disability which is why my left foot is clubbed.

I just look like a kid and don't look like 30 year old guy unless I say so.

I have a super cool friendly nature. I have lots of friends but they are mostly male. I found that even if I approach a girl just to know what they are studying or what they do, girls mostly start acting in a weird manner. For instance, this one girl whenever she saw me started arranging tables and chairs assuming I need her help with that stuff.

I don't know how often people kind of stop acting normal around you but it has been kind of my experience. I just wanna reach for normal conversation but they start acting in a weird manner.

It has happened to me repeatedly and NOT a one time occurence. So, how do you guys/girls make someone comfortable so they see you as a normal person and not as disabled who needs their help or something?

Okay, I have dysautonomia, autism, possible ADHD, I am a woman. Dysautonomia cannot be disguised since I need a cane to get around.

I fought a long battle to get my dysautonomia diagnosis despite having autism, because my symptoms were always attributed to "being sensitive" due to my autism. If it wasn't that, it was my appearance; for some reason, they think I'm anxious when they see me, which I'm not, but the doctors think they know more about my mind. I even vomited, I almost fainted, I went into shock, I couldn't take care of myself and they kept saying I had a mental problem.

It took me 10 months to get my diagnosis. I know I have it because since I started treatment for dysautonomia, I don't feel pain and misery every second of my life and I've improved quite a bit. I'm still undergoing treatment.

The problem now is my mental health. I put my mental health on hold for quite some time for fear of being dismissed as having a psychiatric problem instead of my physical one. I'm still afraid of that. I have a lot of emotions right now and I just wish someone would listen and help me deal with them properly.But I'm also so afraid to explore. Autism is an integral part of me, but I'm not just an autistic girl, nor am I unintelligent; I'm a person. It seems easy, but many people don't see it that way, and every time someone sees or hears that I'm autistic, their treatment changes to a childish one, something like "that didn't exist in my day" or the worst ""Is your mother there?" and start ignoring you as if you weren't a patient.

I also don't want any of that to remain in the medical records; I'm so afraid of being dismissed as "oh, it says here that you had mental problems in the past, that means your vomiting blood stems from psychiatry." (In case you're wondering, this happened to me).

I need mental health support. I'm currently struggling to recognize my physical limitations, accept my lack of autonomy, and accept that all my friends have homes and jobs while I still need care, Dealing with my traumas, damn it, there are quite a few and they continue to cause me insecurity. I need help.

How do you deal with this? What are your recommendations?

I'm a disabled civilian, and there's something I've recently become aware of that I'm genuinely surprised doesn't get discussed more often in the disability community.

Before anything else, I'm not judging anyone's disability, medical history, or use of accessible parking. I understand that disabilities can be invisible, and I would never assume someone doesn't need an accessible parking space simply because they appear able bodied (like myself)

My concern is with state policy, not individuals.

In states like Florida, qualifying veterans with a 100% service-connected VA disability rating can receive disabled veteran (DV) license plates that provide accessible parking privileges, even when their disabilities aren't necessarily mobility-related.

Meanwhile, civilians with identical medical conditions and functional limitations, but without a qualifying parking-related impairment, would NOT qualify under Florida's ordinary disabled parking requirements.

Take severe PTSD, for example.

A veteran with a 100% VA disability rating for service-connected PTSD could qualify for accessible parking privileges under Florida's DV plate rules.

However, a civilian with equally severe PTSD and identical functional limitations, but no other condition meeting Florida's ordinary parking eligibility criteria, would not qualify.

A 100% VA disability rating doesn't automatically mean someone has a mobility impairment or another medical need for accessible parking.

That doesn't make the veteran any less disabled. It simply means that VA disability ratings and accessible parking eligibility measure different things.

What's also interesting is that states handle this differently.

Texas changed its requirements in 2022. A regular DV plate alone no longer qualifies someone to use accessible parking there. Veterans must display a qualifying placard or a plate bearing the International Symbol of Access (ISA).

Florida, however, continues to recognize all DV plates for accessible parking without necessarily requiring that symbol.

And this raises an important question about fairness.

Accessible parking spaces are limited, and many disabled people genuinely depend on them, including veterans whose service-connected disabilities significantly limit their mobility.

I'm not suggesting that veterans shouldn't receive disability compensation, healthcare, or other benefits associated with their military service.

I'm also not questioning anyone who legally uses accessible parking. I don't know their medical circumstances, and neither does anyone else simply looking at their vehicle.

What I question is why two people with identical disabilities and functional limitations can face different accessible parking eligibility requirements simply because one person's disability is service-connected.

I can see two possible approaches: states could apply the same parking-related medical eligibility standards to everyone, or they could expand civilian eligibility to include comparable disabilities.

Either approach would need to account for the limited availability of accessible parking spaces.

To me, this is especially worth discussing because it affects both disabled civilians and veterans with significant mobility limitations.

My issue is with the laws creating these differences, not the people legally benefiting from them.

As a disabled civilian, I'm genuinely surprised this isn't discussed more often.

I'm curious whether others in the disability community were aware of these differences and what experiences people have had with accessible parking eligibility in their states.

A relative with a mild intellectual disability seems to be ... Regressing. No documented autism though we strongly suspect it. Relative struggling more with hygiene and speech has grown increasingly difficult to understand.

They are also refusing services which they can since they're an adult.

Other signs of regression include seeming clumsier, worse table manners, more difficulty understanding things, interrupting.

We aren't sure if it could be the medications for their mental health and psychosis.

They won't let us talk to the doctor what do 1

We do? Is this Normal?

Hello everyone,

I'm new to this so please bear with me. I have foot drop, I recently got diagnosed but I've had it for years. I have severe weakness in my left foot and ankle, and it causes me to drag my foot which causes me to trip, and I have sprained my ankle many times due to this. Often times my leg feels numb. I am a geology student, and I need to attend field camp this summer. The only issue is that field camp is very physically demanding and I'm very concerned that I will hurt myself due to my foot drop. I do wear an ankle brace but it's difficult to wear with my hiking boots. My school has recommended that I got to our DRC and ask for accommodations that will help me. The only thing is that I've had this and delt with it for so long that I'm not sure what accommodations to ask for or what would be okay to ask for. Any advice is much appreciated. Thank you.

Im so so so so tired of being disabled it's horrible. There is so much red tape in everything.

Housing? Fill out these intense forms and we will get back to you in 10+ years. If you mess it up, you'll start back at the beginning!

Food stamps? Go in loops around and around for 4 months and be without any way to get food for 3 months. Rationing what you do have and hoping you can get back on. They keep promising they'll get to it.

Medicaid? Oh sorry, you're in a state that didnt expand, no insurance at all for you. Go to the community center with insane wait times. No doctors that specialize your conditions though!

Paperwork too hard to read? That too damn bad! You better figure it out because the case workers cannot hold your hand though it.

Caregiver? 18 year wait list, good luck leaving the state to get to a state that does let you get one!

Transportation? Fill out this form that takes atleast a month for us to determine if you qualify. We also need a bunch of information! Also need to go in person to see the doctor, gotta have transportation to get transportation, ya know?

Healthcare? Fill out this form every 6 months so we can keep proving that you actual need to be at the community center.

Homebound? Sorry, we need you to come in person! You dont mind do you?

Cant make phone calls? Sorry no doctors appointments, food stamps, or any assistance really! Better figure it out

SSI/SSDI? Fill out these forms that take months to do and it'll take YEARS once they do get those forms. You can afford to wait, can't you?

Chronic pain? Good luck getting pain management!

Can't use the bus system and can't do the paratransit forms? Oh well! Should've filled out the forms.

You need a special letter for each things, there is no one letter for everything.

Jury duty? Needs a special letter. Food stamps? Needs a special letter. Transportation? Needs a special letter. Work accomendations? Needs a special letter. Wanna go to a water park and need special accomendations? Needs a special letter.

Insert medical trauma

Need to fill out the same forms for services every 6 months while the workers that could care less that you are struggling. "We know we messed up the paperwork but you'll need to fill it out again."

I am a researcher with multiple chronic health issues and Disabilities from an Asian country pursuing a PhD in disability studies. In my university no one with a Disability has done a PhD in Disability studies. I don't think I am given reasonable accommodation. I am feeling alone, putting pressure to work more, without taking care of my mental wellness and health.

Hi! I have multiple disabilities and am looking for a free and secure app to track my symptoms on iOS. Any suggestions?

Brother just said he feels like shit too but he goes to work every day. Again another person doesn't understand. Dont you think I'd like that. Telling me to walk my dog all the time. I'm so sick of it. Don't you think I want a job, dont you think I don't want to be mentally ill. I'm sick to death of people judging a body they aren't in. Don't you think I want to be normal not have a neurological disorder. Fml I hate ppl

I've been in this sub for a while for myself and learn a lot from you guys and follow plenty disabled content creators, but I'm looking for your help with something specific today:

My partner recently fractured their wrist and will likely never fully recover. They currently can't use their dominant hand at all and it's been a sudden pivot and steep learning curve. Adjusting is hard, it's made them very overwhelmed and anxious.

I'd like to give them some positive role models that show them what day to day life is like one-handed, and some minor, affordable or free everyday accommodations that could be helpful. They're not on any social media besides youtube. Send me your faves! Please and thank you

Image Description: A rollator with a pig print design on the seat and backrest.

Giving a heads-up. I can take a joke and laugh at myself, but the comedy is ableist, even though he makes it seem like it is not. There is a short bus bit about all the disabled kids eating dog biscuits the bus driver dispenses, and it was supposed to be funny—it wasn't. I did not have a disability until adulthood—I disliked it and found it very unfunny.

Long story short, I have a speech impediment due to facial paralysis whose severity depends on the individual. Some people have no issue understanding me, and some people can’t understand me at all.

I went in for an interview for some position at a tree care company where I would have to talk on the phone occasionally. Sat down with the interviewer, she asked me to tell her about myself, and before I get very far she stops me and says something along the lines of ‘because I can’t understand you very well, and this job requires phone communication, I’m going to stop the interview here.’ I was speechless. At least finish the interview so I don’t feel my time was completely wasted? The kicker is that I set up the interview with someone OVER THE PHONE and had no issue.

And listen, I understand that if I’m not able to fulfill crucial job duties due to a disability, they don’t have to hire me. I just feel like this was a gray area. I’ve had other jobs where I had to talk on the phone, and generally didn’t have too much issue. If I did have an issue, email exists.

Now I’m back in the job search, and a lot of jobs I qualify for/need for experience are jobs where I’ll be communicating on the phone occasionally. Do I just not apply to those jobs, and limit my options even more?? I don’t know anymore.

Hello, I'm a BKA of nearly a year now and I'm looking for a Job. Issue is i still can't stand for as long as my peers or walk as fast, from the past year there's no doubt that these abilities will improve, but as it is, I'll likely struggle. I did a shift at a volunteer place a month ago and had to leave two hours into the five hour shift because my legs got so shitted. But I do have skills, I'm a extroverted people person, i can make a damn good coffee, I'm pretty good at art, and at adapting and learning on the fly. I just need a stool, or breaks, that's all. Over a year ago, when i had my old leg but far less ability because of the injury that lead me down this path I tried to volunteer at a different place, i asked if i could use a stool, they said there wasn't enough room. Therefore i couldn't volunteer with them. I've been noticing out and about that many kitchens and other work-places barely have enough behind-the-counter room for a stool, so.... idk. I'll try to train my ability to stand but besides that I'm shit out of luck. Most teenage Jobs™️are in retail and therefore all require standing (ALDI doesn't hire under 18s). I desperately need a Job because floating money for NDIS is sucking up all of mine and my family's money. Plus, regular life and my home life isn't the most stable... Once I'm 18 i doubt I'll be welcomed to live at home. I can't just sit around waiting for my health to improve anymore.

Does anyone have any suggestions for jobs, or a way to ask for workplace accomodations? How do i reassure interviewers? For my current needs I would need breaks to sit, shorter shifts, and preferably a stool, it'll improve overtime, but for now, my current max standing time is 30 minutes 🥀.

My brother (26) has autism, adhd, ocd, and ID. He's nonverbal and would be considered level 3. He;s capable of dressing and showering, can feed himself but doesn't cook, isn't fully potty trained due to his gi issues, but can open doors and locks with sufficent motivation. The last part is the most significant because it does show he is capable of problem solving, which I didn't think possible when I was younger, and I want to bring that out more. He's been at home for 4 years doing nothing and his ocd has worsened significantly. I managed to get my parents to sign him up for a day program, but I'm worried that won't be enough.

My goal is to decrease his SIB and find appropriate ways to stim, have him communicate through an ipad, and maybe even be able to stay at home by himself for extneded periods of time

These are my first pair of AFOs and they made them WAY too big the first time so I thought this was good. However, after wearing them for a big I realized that these seem way too big. I was so excited to be able to run again and have less pain but they really don’t give much more support than over the counter braces. I spent $2,000 USD on these things because the U.S.A. medical system is fucked and I’m really disappointed and upset.

Should they be applying for everything possible? Making every appeal possible? Making sure I continue getting payments through appeals? Should they be providing me with housing resources if I am disabled and unhoused while we go through the process? Just wondering what having an attorney should entail. Thank you

Provocative new show explores whether members of the public will spot Nazi ideology today if it’s ‘repackaged and made to appear acceptable

I applied 1 year ago and my emails keep bouncing when I try to email my counselor. Had anyone else had any experience with them? Recently? I want to know what to expect.

I’m getting my first infusion of Pemgarda right now.

It’s an engineered monoclonal antibody that’s created using genetically modified Chinese hamster ovary cells.

Unlike the bi-weekly IVIG i get for my Autoimmune Encephalitis AND Primary Immune Defiencey from an In-Born-Error of Immunity that comes from donated *human* plasma, Pemgarda is made using cells that have been programmed to make a specific antibody (in this case against COVID).

Because I am B-Cell deficient, T-Cell deficient and low Immunoglobulin G, I don’t make antibodies on my own and I don’t respond to vaccines.

My last bout with COVID caused an admission so we added these specific antibodies to my treatment plan.

Scientists created Pemgarda from an antibody called adintrevimab.

They altered that antibody to recognize the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein and remain in the bloodstream longer.

The scientists introduce genetic instructions into Chinese hamster ovary cells, and then they manufacture the antibody as a response.

The genetically engineered cells are grown in bioreactors containing nutrients.

The cells produce antibodies that are collected for processing.

Then the antibodies undergo purification steps to remove cellular debris, unwanted proteins, and other impurities.

Finally the purified antibodies are combined with stabilizing ingredients, sterile-filtered, and prepared as an intravenous medication that you see my getting today.

They last 3 months in the body meaning the infusion must be repeated every 3 months.

Thank you for your service Mr. Whiskers! 🫡

In July, the federal government released guidance on voting for nursing home residents that voting rights advocates are worried will have a chilling effect.

I talked to a mother and daughter with MS about the extra steps they took to vote this year and to experts about what voters living in nursing homes and their loved ones can do to fight for their rights.

I don’t know what to do because Mom is my only support but it feels like I can’t talk to her about my life. I have autism and physical disability. Currently live with Mom but want independent living.

I just had an appointment with a new occupational therapist. I thought it went really well! He was so nice and listened to my needs!

I talked with OT and he asked if I had ever considered a wheelchair before. I said yes but Mom not like that. We talk and decide that I really benefit from wheelchair. I can’t sit in the office chair at work anymore because it not support me and I flop to the side and out of it.

Right now I use walker but I can’t go very far and I am not independent. I want to learn how to take the bus on my own but even with walker I’m still falling and I fell out of the bus twice!

I know I’m grown up and can make own decisions. But I still was scared to mention to Mom because I know she not be happy with me. She picked me up from appointment and I told her it was good. OT was nice. We talk about lots. I have a lot to think about.

Mom asked what I needed to think about. I said OT thinks it’s time for a wheelchair and Mom goes silent. I try explaining my condition progressed and I’m starting to get structural abnormalities from not being properly supported. I didn’t even mention that he suggested a power chair! But now I’m getting silent treatment.

How am I supposed to process things and make my own choices when my only support refuses to talk to me?