#disabled enough

[red-erroring]

I’ve got sight issues hearing issues mental health issues. What’s it gonna take for me to actually acknowledge that I’m not making this up and am actually maybe a little bit disabled???

[teenspoonies]

I'm really struggling on whether I want to get an assistive device or not. I can walk well for several hours at a time without one, but I'm in pain the entire time so I get irritable and don't really want to go places, even though I'm able. I still feel selfish about wanting any sort of assistive device though, because I CAN walk so therefore I shouldn't need one.

Lex says:

If you’re in terrible pain the entire time you’re walking, and using an assistive device improves that in any way, then you have every right to get one! I think a lot of spoonies fall into this trap of feeling like they need to live up to what other people think they “should” be able to do, but you are where you are in terms of your symptoms and ability. You don’t need to meet any specific benchmark in order to “qualify” for a mobility aid, if it helps you even a little, then you should feel able to get and use one. You shouldn’t have to feel selfish for wanting something that will improve the quality of your life!

[alicornmoonstar]

[alicornmoonstar]

I guess I don't understand...

To me, CP isn't something you deal with, it just is. It's a part of me like eye color...

While I was born 3lbs 6 oz which is 'big' for a too soon baby now or some such, it was 1983 and my lungs weren't totally finished. Most of the babies died of oxygen poisoning and my CP was caused by a lack of air and a blood vein braking when a doctor wasn't careful..

I could have just as well died so I figure there is some deeper reason for me being alive :)

I have the whole story memorized like a speech and I will tell any stranger if they ask because I am just as open about it as eye/hair color and answering why the sky is blue...