Do you dream yourself with a disability?

euanfranklin

Hi everyone,

Quite new here, and this is my first time posting. I have bilateral spastic cerebral palsy, only affecting my legs.

I was quite curious to realise that I'm very rarely disabled in my dreams. It happened once, a few months ago, after deciding to learn more about the disabled community. I'm just wondering if others have encountered the same, or whether it's dependent on how impaired a person is? It could be internalised ableism, too, where my perception of everything around me relies on a nondisabled perspective? 

Just curious to know

Cheers,
Euan

Sandy_123

Hi  @euanfranklin welcome to the forum,  an interesting post, I've got to say, disability doesn't follow me in dreams. Strange that isn't it. 

Richard_Scope

Hey, @euanfranklin, how are you?

Great question! In my dreams, I'm always in my wheelchair, which I can remember anyway. I've never actually thought about it before!

cupcake88

Hi there in my dreams I don’t have mental illness . 

janer1967

Hi there great question in the majority.oc my dreams I have no disability. I can only remember one dream where I was in my wheelchair and never dreamed with issue if severe visual impairment.

I have been disabled 5 years so could relate to having spent most of my life not being disabled 

Ross_Alumni

Very good question, honest answer is I am not sure. I don't notice my sight loss in my dreams, but equally I don't notice not having it if that makes sense.

bexter73

I only developed mobility issues last august and now need walking sticks or frame and can’t walk far. In my dreams I run, jump and dance. I wake up a bit upset to be honest x

Alex_Alumni

I'm sorry to hear you feel a bit upset when you wake up @bexter73 I can understand those feelings, especially when the changes in your mobility are still very recent. Do you have loved ones and/or friends you can chat to about how you're feeling?

Part of the process of adapting to this change is almost like grieving I suppose, like any big change in life. I think it's a natural thing, and these feelings might evolve and change as time passes.

Dreams are funny things, totally unique to each person. The brain's way of tidying, organising and processing all the thoughts and feelings we've had during the day. I think it's a really interesting question to ask @euanfranklin and not one I've thought about before. 

I think, as far as I can tell I'm on my feet in my dreams, but I'm not impaired or impeded. There's not a focus on walking, I just sort of glide or appear everywhere without taking in how I got there! 

bexter73

@Alex_Scope I have the best family supporting me. I have found I feel like I’m grieving the old me. I used to be so physically active and fit. I’d spend lots of time playing and having adventures with my grandkids. But I’m very limited now and it’s making me frustrated. I start seeing a clinical psychologist as part of my treatment plan in the next couple of weeks so I’m sure that will help me. 

Alex_Alumni

Thanks for explaining @bexter73 that's so positive to hear you've got a good support network around you And I'm sure your grandkids will love spending time with you regardless, but it can be frustrating when we feel limited.

And that sounds promising yes, do keep us up to date with how you get on if you can.