Hi, my name is Obadiah!

Obadiah

I'm already signed up as a Disability Gamechanger. I have Dilated Cardiomyopathy and Arthritis.

ofme

Hi, I hope you keep well ?

Ami2301

Hi @Obadiah welcome to the community!

Would you like to tell us a bit more about yourself?

Obadiah

Erm? I'm 70, diagnosed with Dilated Cardiomyopathy at 58, having been retired by BT at 55. Became a House Husband as my wife became a Deputy Headteacher. Son of a Pharmacist, ex St John Ambulance, now mainly a House Husband, but try to keep up with matters medical and technical.

Ami2301

I apologise, I have not heard of Dilated Cardiomyopathy before, would you mind explaining what this is?

Obadiah

Sorry! Dilated Cardiomyopathy is a weakness in one of the chambers of the heart. Symptoms are things like breathlessness and lack of energy. I have an implanted pacemaker to regulate my heart.

Ami2301

I have just searched around the forum and it appears that you are the first member to mention Dilated Cardiomyopathy, so I looked elsewhere and found CareiomyopathyUK which may be of use to you.

Do let us know if we can be of any assistance!

Obadiah

Thanks! Been a member of that group for years. As son of a pharmacist, long term first aider, ex St John Ambulance I’ve done a huge amount of research.

Sam_Alumni

Welcome to the community @Obadiah

Obadiah

Thanks! 

cheniserowenaknox

I like your name, is that your real name? I met a child once called cornelius, I like to meet people with names unusual like mine ? what is a disability gamechanger?

Obadiah

No, I’m really a rather boring John. Obadiah was the name I adopted when I used to do English Civil War re-enactment. Disability Gamechanger is a new campaign started by Scope for people who are prepared to help raise the profile of disability and help to make people understand and accept us.

cheniserowenaknox

Oh haha! It’s still a good name, the bad guy on iron man 1 is obadiah; but that sounds good, I think there is a long way to go in getting people to recognise the barriers faced with disabilities, and also the amount of strength/effort it takes to function within the parameters of every day society, especially when you’re not visibly disabled, some of the looks, questions and comments I personally get are very invasive and suspicious. It doesn’t help either when being autistic I find it very difficult to explain it, and having my particular mental health issues am inclined to be terrified of people thinking I’m a mess that cannot cope! 
P.s sorry for going on 

Obadiah

No problem! My wife teaches special needs, so I know the world of disability quite well, apart from having heart failure myself! It would be a very sad world if we couldn’t support each other, as well as trying to explain what our world is like.