Accepting your disability

csno01

Hi everyone,

I hope you are all keeping well.

Have you ever found it at a time, where, you have struggled to come to terms with / accept your disability? 

When I was younger, especially in my early teens and 20s, I found it really difficult, although now I am finding it easier to navigate and ask for help.ETC.

There’s that saying, if you don’t ask, you don’t get.

on another note, I have recently come across a podcast called Disabled and Proud, which I have found helpful. :-)

CSno01

Sandy_123

I think sometimes you get fed up of living with a disability, I have lately, but there's nothing to be done, just got to keep on going.  
Excepting a new disability can be tough going for people. Glad you can access support @csno01

claregrace

I find it hard to accept my limitations. The hardest thing is going to my local shops. Even though I need a wheelchair I can't bring myself to use mine in case I bump into somebody I know.  I know its stupid but I worry about having to explain. I am happy to use the wheelchair at places I don't know anyone. Its as thoughi am embarrassed that I now need a wheelchair, which is stupid. How do I get over that? 

csno01

Thank you at Sandy 123, yes I bet it can. Bad days are acceptable, I have been there myself.

Disable them proud  is One of many resources and  I hope to find more. 

I can totally relate to your situation atclairegrace. Have you seaked counselling, or spoken to your GP about your concerns? 

That would probably be your best first point of call. Good luck. 

SueHeath

I am still coming to terms with my own disability, i have always suffered with my back, but just took the tablets and got on with it. This last movement in my spine as really taken it out of me, i can not just get on with things now, i find it very frustrating and its made me fell old before my time.
I can associate with you @claregrace i have walking sticks but i struggle mentally to use them out side, it makes me feel vulnerable, to the point were i no longer go out without being with some one.

bg844

I still can’t accept it 100%. I always feel people are worse than me.

I understand myself much more now compared to 2-3 years ago (I have a lifelong disability). I’m waiting for that moment when I am at my worst and maybe then my mindset will change.

SueHeath

I understand what you are saying @bg844 i was diagnosed quite young in my life and my condition is degenerative but because i went through my life thinking i got this, it's nothing, i can cope, so when i had another disc die or another movement of my spine i would bounce back after 6 months. Not this time tho, but i still think i am so lucky to get to 65 and worked up until 64. I always think there are a lot more people worse of then i am, and i have a great deal of empathy towards others x

Karen7788

My biggest fault is trying to ignore mine, when they ask me to select one of those faces on the pain scale at the hospital I always pick the end one which has the biggest smile, a trainee nurse once told be that I was the only patient she’d seen who chose that face. 

I’ve ended up with injuries with not being careful enough, which resulted in having to have surgery and being off work to recover.
There are an awful lot of people in a worse situation than me, so I’m lucky really.