Hi, my name is SOPHS!

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SOPHS
SOPHS Online Community Member Posts: 3 Listener
Hello I joined here because I have been struggling with my disabilities during the lockdown and would like to connect with others. My disabilities are invisible which I find harder to explain to people because they do not understand how seriously I am struggle because as the say "you look fine to me, you don't look disabled" I don't feel there has been much support for disabled people during the lockdown. has anyone else experienced this? 

Comments

  • Tori_Scope
    Tori_Scope Scope Posts: 12,468 Championing
    Hello and welcome to the community @SOPHS, we're glad you've found us :)

    You've definitely come to the right place to connect with others and share your experiences.

    I think a lot of disabled people, and many of our members, have felt unsupported during lockdown. I recently made a post about an article where a woman with a visual impairment said that she had 'never felt so blind before', and @Cher_Scope made a post about socialising now that lockdown is easing off in most places. 

    You might like to have a look around the Coffee Lounge, as that is where most of our casual conversation takes place. You can also have a look through the specific categories of discussion we facilitate by clicking on the 'helpful groups' link on the front page. 

    I'm sorry to hear that other people say that you don't 'look disabled'. That must be frustrating and invalidating. Do you feel comfortable sharing more about your disabilities? This will help other members experiencing something similar to find you.

    Please give us a shout if you need any help finding your way around the site, or with anything else!

  • SOPHS
    SOPHS Online Community Member Posts: 3 Listener
    Hello @Tori_Scope. I will read that thank you. I have just started a process of complaining to my local MP about not providing adequate toilet facilities. I have been refused in shops even with a valid disability card because "i don't look disabled" 

    I suffer with Complex PTSD with Disassociation which causes a very rare form of Non epileptic seizures. ME and Fibromyalgia, all a result from child abuse and neglect.  
  • Denise11
    Denise11 Online Community Member Posts: 99 Empowering
    Hi Sophs  Welcome aboard.  I'm sorry that people don't understand that you have a disability and what a struggle it is for you!  I hope that you will find friends and support here. We are a friendly bunch. Tell me a little about yourself.  What do you like doing?  Or what you would like to do, if you could?  Do you get tired easily, so you can't manage a lot!  It is so hard when one can't do things because of getting so sleepy.

    Denise11



  • Tori_Scope
    Tori_Scope Scope Posts: 12,468 Championing
    That's terrible @SOPHS! I'm sorry you've had that experience. I hope you have some luck with your MP.

    One of our members started a support thread recently for people with PTSD, so you could read through their experiences there and make a comment if you feel comfortable.

    Are you accessing any support for your PTSD, seizures, ME, and Fibromyalgia at the moment? 
  • chiarieds
    chiarieds Online Community Member Posts: 17,099 Championing
    Hi @SOPHS - welcome to this friendly & supportive community. I'm sorry about the many difficulties you're facing, which can't be easy to deal with. I hope you find this a good place to be, with many people that have an understanding of your issues. :)
  • steve51
    steve51 Online Community Member Posts: 7,121 Championing
    Hi @SOPHS

    Good Evening & Welcome it’s great to meet you today ?

    I am one off the Community Champion’s here at Scope.

    Yes my “Disabilities” are also “Hidden”
    which can also be very hard to prove.

    Please please let me know if you need any help getting around?

    @steve51
  • davegregson40
    davegregson40 Online Community Member Posts: 81 Empowering
    Welcome to the community 
  • janer1967
    janer1967 Online Community Member Posts: 21,922 Championing
    Hi @SOPHS Welcome to the community glad you have joined us here

    UI hope from all the links you find some useful information and I look forward to seeing you around here

    It sounds like you have had some hard challenges to deal with but we are here to offer any support we can
  • Chloe_Alumni
    Chloe_Alumni Scope alumni Posts: 10,506 Championing
    Welcome to the community @SOPHS, so lovely to have you with us. I'm really sorry to hear about your experiences. I hope you find talking with others helpful. 
  • Cher_Alumni
    Cher_Alumni Scope alumni Posts: 5,714 Championing
    Hello @SOPHS

    How are you today? It's lovely to meet you  :) Do you have much planned for this weekend?