I have never considered myself to be disabled

jilla

I have never considered myself to be disabled.  However,  as I have got older my problems and health issues have increased and I have  been unable to work for the last 18 months as a result. I am now at a point of thinking that perhaps I need to be accepting the possibility that I may not be able to return to work in my previous role and need to look into where I go from here.  I need to look into the financial implications along with how to improve the quality of my life.
I would be grateful for any advice and information from people who have been through this or are currently going through it.
Many thanks.

Alex

Hi Jilla,

Welcome to the community. Scope have put together an introduction to the world of disability on our website. It's called Becoming disabled. It gives a very brief introduction to things like benefits, coping with work and adapting your home. I hope that's a useful start.

If you have any questions about any of that, feel free to ask us here.

steve51

Hi @jilla

A very very good mourning to you & welcome to our online commuinty.

Yes I had to go through this process a few years ago now.

Please please let me know if I can help ??????

Thanks.

Geniedebs

Hi Jilla. I was born physically disabled but did not feel as if I was so in my teens, twenties and thirties. It has only as I have aged, 57 now, that on a practical, logical level that I accept more limitations with my body. I cannot walk as far or stand for so long. I can now only work in jobs with the minimum of walking or standing.

mikehughescq

Being disabled is very subjective and we all have our own journey to that point if we get there at all. It often has nothing to do with getting worse and it’s always educational to hear other people’s stories. You may find it helpful to think less in terms of whether you are now disabled and more about the services, aids, appliances and people who can help you regardless of how you define yourself. 

It is also good to talk to others, regardless of whether they have the same issues as you. Look for national support groups and meetings. See if there’s anything local and go from there. Support from others is the bit most medical professionals miss.