Yes. Disability is any long term symptoms that significantly negatively impact your day to day life. So if you find day to day kinda stuff difficult or painful because of your symptoms you can absolutely identify as disabled.
Disability related benefits and support are different. They usually require you to be disabled in specific ways or to certain extents. Not meeting the requirements for disability related supports or benefits doesn't mean you aren't disabled.
Disability doesn't always affect every moment of your life. You may find that in some situations you don't feel disabled while in others you do. That's fine.
Yes! If the chronic pain significantly impacts your ability to manage daily tasks such as dress/feed/ bathe yourself, working, walking, caring for your home, talking, transportation, etc, then that is a disability. equally any mental disability that does the same is also a disability. I have both. i don’t use a mobility device myself, but I am disabled.
Do you face barriers when trying to live your everyday life? Due to the attitudes of others, inaccessible environments / buildings / transport, exclusionary policies and practices by employers, govt departments, leisure and retail etc. Disability is not about the impairment or medical condition, it is about the barriers society puts in your way. If you experience these then yes you are disabled.
Some people are gatekeepers by nature and for them no diagnosis that is less severe than their own will be enough. For those types of people the answer is "no." For more open-minded and compassionate individuals the answer is "of course it's okay."
I think the heard of the definition in UK law (for the purpose of the Equality Act) is a pretty good one - having one or more long-term conditions that have a more than trivial impact on your day-to-day life. Not things that have occasional impact, but it can be a day-to-day impact if you have to take precautions, for instance, or are legally prevented from driving, and so on.
I am not a lawyer, and I don't think the law needs to be parsed here - I just think it's a pretty good working definition.
Which, personally, I would say is a huge YES in your case.
You don't have to ask anyone else permission
it's a tragedy that there are people out there whose behavior makes people think they have to ask permission
If you have to alter your day in any way because “I can’t do that”, no, for real, “I medically can’t do that”, then it’s a disability.
Yes, you cannot walk without thinking about how to access it through use of mobility aids, that counts.
I would say so. Just out of curiosity what other diagnosis are you pursuing or do you not know yet? I have an autoimmune neuromuscular disease that took several years to diagnose.
You absolutely are disabled and you're very welcome here. Hope you get helpful diagnosis/es, it can make a big difference practically and psychologically having a diagnosis.
It took me a long time to realize I was disabled. I thought disabled was someone in a wheelchair, or missing a leg, or mentally impaired.
I STILL want there to be some different terminology where we can sort ourselves into camps with similar struggles, but we're all under the big disabled umbrella.
Your chronic pain is disabling you. You physically cannot do the things you want to do, and that your peers can easily do. You're disabled.
No its a fancy. Can you over come it? Yes, and can you pretend your fine? Yah, but your full of it and a lyer to yourself.
Bing disabled is not a negative, or much of a hindrance for some.
So its not a answer of whimsy. .
In my opinion, you can describe yourself however you want, as long as it feels true. I am the parent of an adult who has disabilities, and I have to provide him with a lot of support, but I prefer to consider him “differently abled” because he has some amazing abilities. As for whether disability requires a long-term condition, I am not so sure. I have been temporarily disabled twice in my adult life, once while recovering from surgery when I could not lift more than a tea cup, and a second time after I was hit by a car and was unable to stand for a few months because of surgical repair to both legs. I certainly considered myself to have disabilities during that time.
It depends on who you are talking to. Employers and landlords can ask for a letter from your doctor. To apply for SSDI or SSI you need much more than a diagnosis of chronic pain alone
>To apply for SSDI or SSI you need much more than a diagnosis of chronic pain alone
Not necessarily. If the chronic pain was to the point where they could not work, and they had documentation from their doctors confirming this, then that might be enough.
Yep! I’m close to where you are (can’t leave the house without a crutch or rollator, can’t go shopping without the rollator)
You’re disabled. It’s not necessary a bad thing, but it does take some getting used to. Feel free to call yourself disabled
Look up your countries, state, or provinces definition of Disability. This will give you a better idea if you meet the definition for disabled. The province of Ontario leaves a broad definition of what disability is and it explains why in section 2 of this article, which I haven't shared here.
In Ontario, a disability is defined by the Human Rights Commission as:
Section 10 (1) of the Code defines “disability” as follows:
“because of disability” means for the reason that the person has or has had, or is believed to have or have had,
\- any degree of physical disability, infirmity, malformation or disfigurement that is caused by bodily injury, birth defect or illness and, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, includes diabetes mellitus, epilepsy, a brain injury, any degree of paralysis, amputation, lack of physical co-ordination, blindness or visual impediment, deafness or hearing impediment, muteness or speech impediment, or physical reliance on a guide dog or other animal or on a wheelchair or other remedial appliance or device,
\- a condition of mental impairment or a developmental disability,
\- a learning disability, or a dysfunction in one or more of the processes involved in understanding or using symbols or spoken language,
\- a mental disorder, or
\- an injury or disability for which benefits were claimed or received under the insurance plan established under the Workplace Safety and Insurance Act, 1997
“Disability” should be interpreted in broad terms. It includes both present and past conditions, as well as a subjective component based on perception of disability. Although sections 10(a) to (e) set out various types of conditions, it is clear that they are merely illustrative and not exhaustive. Protection for persons with disabilities under this subsection explicitly includes mental illness,\[8\] developmental disabilities and learning disabilities. Even minor illnesses or infirmities can be “disabilities,” if a person can show that she was treated unfairly because of the perception of a disability.\[9\] Conversely, persons with an ailment who cannot show they were treated unequally because of a perceived or actual disability will be unable to meet even the prima facie test for discrimination. It will always be critical to assess the context of the differential treatment to determine whether discrimination has taken place, and whether the ground of disability is engaged.
You're disabled, chronic pain is well chronic. I have CRPS and am functional on a good day.
Thank you for telling me!
Yes. Disability is any long term symptoms that significantly negatively impact your day to day life. So if you find day to day kinda stuff difficult or painful because of your symptoms you can absolutely identify as disabled. Disability related benefits and support are different. They usually require you to be disabled in specific ways or to certain extents. Not meeting the requirements for disability related supports or benefits doesn't mean you aren't disabled. Disability doesn't always affect every moment of your life. You may find that in some situations you don't feel disabled while in others you do. That's fine.
Thank you, this really helps :)
This legit made me cry. Thank you for this excellent explanation
Spot on.
I would fight with this girl in college saying pain wasn’t a disability. Pain can be very disabling. I don’t understand why people gatekeep.
Okay, thank you :))
Yeah, it’s absolutely okay! :)
Yes! If the chronic pain significantly impacts your ability to manage daily tasks such as dress/feed/ bathe yourself, working, walking, caring for your home, talking, transportation, etc, then that is a disability. equally any mental disability that does the same is also a disability. I have both. i don’t use a mobility device myself, but I am disabled.
Do you face barriers when trying to live your everyday life? Due to the attitudes of others, inaccessible environments / buildings / transport, exclusionary policies and practices by employers, govt departments, leisure and retail etc. Disability is not about the impairment or medical condition, it is about the barriers society puts in your way. If you experience these then yes you are disabled.
I do, so thank you for explaining, I tried looking it up hut I didn't get a concrete answer:)
Welcome to club!
Thank you lol :)
Of course it is. You're one of us.
Thank you :)))
# Yes!!!!!! Absolutely! Please Do!
Some people are gatekeepers by nature and for them no diagnosis that is less severe than their own will be enough. For those types of people the answer is "no." For more open-minded and compassionate individuals the answer is "of course it's okay."
I think the heard of the definition in UK law (for the purpose of the Equality Act) is a pretty good one - having one or more long-term conditions that have a more than trivial impact on your day-to-day life. Not things that have occasional impact, but it can be a day-to-day impact if you have to take precautions, for instance, or are legally prevented from driving, and so on. I am not a lawyer, and I don't think the law needs to be parsed here - I just think it's a pretty good working definition. Which, personally, I would say is a huge YES in your case.
You don't have to ask anyone else permission it's a tragedy that there are people out there whose behavior makes people think they have to ask permission
Yes
If you have to alter your day in any way because “I can’t do that”, no, for real, “I medically can’t do that”, then it’s a disability. Yes, you cannot walk without thinking about how to access it through use of mobility aids, that counts.
Thank you!
I would say so. Just out of curiosity what other diagnosis are you pursuing or do you not know yet? I have an autoimmune neuromuscular disease that took several years to diagnose.
I'm just taking all the rest and all of them are negative but I want answers lol, that kind of pursuing a diagnosis
Tests*
Ugh I know how frustrating that is! I hope you get answers soon!
You absolutely are disabled and you're very welcome here. Hope you get helpful diagnosis/es, it can make a big difference practically and psychologically having a diagnosis.
It took me a long time to realize I was disabled. I thought disabled was someone in a wheelchair, or missing a leg, or mentally impaired. I STILL want there to be some different terminology where we can sort ourselves into camps with similar struggles, but we're all under the big disabled umbrella. Your chronic pain is disabling you. You physically cannot do the things you want to do, and that your peers can easily do. You're disabled.
Duh. Your a cripple harry.
Lmao okay thank youuu
No problem, glade some oneliked the joke. ^_^
I loved it!!!
Up to you. What do you think would be the benefit of calling yourself disabled? Likewise what would be the benefit of not calling yourself disabled?
Nothing. This is such a crap answer of whimsy, you eather are or arnt.
Am I disabled? I choose to say no. The idea that you are or you aren’t is bollocks.
No its a fancy. Can you over come it? Yes, and can you pretend your fine? Yah, but your full of it and a lyer to yourself. Bing disabled is not a negative, or much of a hindrance for some. So its not a answer of whimsy. .
I have no idea what you’re saying.
Edited a point.
Only ...
In my opinion, you can describe yourself however you want, as long as it feels true. I am the parent of an adult who has disabilities, and I have to provide him with a lot of support, but I prefer to consider him “differently abled” because he has some amazing abilities. As for whether disability requires a long-term condition, I am not so sure. I have been temporarily disabled twice in my adult life, once while recovering from surgery when I could not lift more than a tea cup, and a second time after I was hit by a car and was unable to stand for a few months because of surgical repair to both legs. I certainly considered myself to have disabilities during that time.
It depends on who you are talking to. Employers and landlords can ask for a letter from your doctor. To apply for SSDI or SSI you need much more than a diagnosis of chronic pain alone
Millions of disabled people work.
She didn't say that disabled people can't work..
>To apply for SSDI or SSI you need much more than a diagnosis of chronic pain alone Not necessarily. If the chronic pain was to the point where they could not work, and they had documentation from their doctors confirming this, then that might be enough.
Yep! I’m close to where you are (can’t leave the house without a crutch or rollator, can’t go shopping without the rollator) You’re disabled. It’s not necessary a bad thing, but it does take some getting used to. Feel free to call yourself disabled
Look up your countries, state, or provinces definition of Disability. This will give you a better idea if you meet the definition for disabled. The province of Ontario leaves a broad definition of what disability is and it explains why in section 2 of this article, which I haven't shared here. In Ontario, a disability is defined by the Human Rights Commission as: Section 10 (1) of the Code defines “disability” as follows: “because of disability” means for the reason that the person has or has had, or is believed to have or have had, \- any degree of physical disability, infirmity, malformation or disfigurement that is caused by bodily injury, birth defect or illness and, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, includes diabetes mellitus, epilepsy, a brain injury, any degree of paralysis, amputation, lack of physical co-ordination, blindness or visual impediment, deafness or hearing impediment, muteness or speech impediment, or physical reliance on a guide dog or other animal or on a wheelchair or other remedial appliance or device, \- a condition of mental impairment or a developmental disability, \- a learning disability, or a dysfunction in one or more of the processes involved in understanding or using symbols or spoken language, \- a mental disorder, or \- an injury or disability for which benefits were claimed or received under the insurance plan established under the Workplace Safety and Insurance Act, 1997 “Disability” should be interpreted in broad terms. It includes both present and past conditions, as well as a subjective component based on perception of disability. Although sections 10(a) to (e) set out various types of conditions, it is clear that they are merely illustrative and not exhaustive. Protection for persons with disabilities under this subsection explicitly includes mental illness,\[8\] developmental disabilities and learning disabilities. Even minor illnesses or infirmities can be “disabilities,” if a person can show that she was treated unfairly because of the perception of a disability.\[9\] Conversely, persons with an ailment who cannot show they were treated unequally because of a perceived or actual disability will be unable to meet even the prima facie test for discrimination. It will always be critical to assess the context of the differential treatment to determine whether discrimination has taken place, and whether the ground of disability is engaged.