Question for you all!

[Jesmcd2]

Do you consider yourself disabled? 🤔 Yes no why why not? Just curious...

🤗💕🌠

[DM0329]

Great Question! 🙂

As I will be "celebrating" my 25th Anniversary of starting Avonex on September 27, 2021, I only recently began considering myself as "disabled." I was dx with MS at age 25 over Memorial Day weekend of 1994, and there weren't any tx back then (Betaseron dx via lottery in US). But, I've faithfully stuck with Avonex for 25 years now (and yes the "stuck" pun is intended. . .gotta love the pin-cushion-club, right?).

Fatigue and cognitive dysfunctionon (along with re-structuring at the University as my employer), spurred my application for SSDI back in 2012 (age 45ish). So, I worked 20+ years (earned both my BS & MEd while working full-time too). So, SSDI considers me "disabled." But, I cried like a baby (even though I wanted it as I really couldn't work full-time anymore). But denial can be a girl's best friend too, eh?

Disabled (is kinda like Multiple Sclerosis too) in that it tends to "wax and wane" and is rarely a "clearly-defined state" especially with INVISIBLE DISABILITIES. So, I guess, I am DISABLED (legally, physically, and SOMETIMES mentally---as in identity---not cognition.

Sorry, I don't have a "short, clearly-defined answer" either. But, as a person living with MS for nearly 30 years now, I have seen how my life has changed (for both better and for worse).

Thanks for opening up such an interesting thread, too!

😉👍

[kdali]

I’m not disabled, as I can work, but I could not go back to my former work. I was slightly impaired then and it was enough to drive me nuts.

[jimeka]

You're disabled under the Equality Act 2010 if you have a physical or mental impairment that has a 'substantial' and 'long-term' negative effect on your ability to do normal daily activities.Now, I had to look this up, as what is classed as normal, daily activities.

I have a hard time saying to anyone that I am disabled, I can still walk, talk, look after my grand dog, I may need to walk with a rollator, but I still get around.

I think you are as disabled as you feel, and some days, I feel like h-ll! 😂

[falalalala]

It really depends on the day.

[greaterexp in reply to falalalala]

Amen!

[carolek572 CommunityAmbassador in reply to falalalala]

I agree

[RoyceNewton]

when it suits me, is advantageous to me, yes of course otherwise no.

[Hidden]

well I'm disabled from the last job I had. In reality I share the same "wax and wane" invisible symptoms... my biggest deal is trying to live with it. Some days are better than others I'm thankful for what I have 👍🙂

[NanaCC]

I don’t have a handicap parking pass, I can still get around but there’s that side of MS that hits and runs makes you feel disabled wait a day or two then you are okay. I don’t want to always feel badly but it’s hard to explain to anyone especially for work. I have a challenging job been with same company over 35 years and I often feel I can no longer do it. I cry a lot which I never use to cry my depression is awful. That is disabling. We have a crisis hotline for work I’m considering calling but what do I say. I’m afraid once I make that call I will be labeled and considered not a good worker. So yes I am disabled.

[Kenu]

I’m I disabled, yes. I have a hand that use to work great and now almost useless. I have a leg now that requires an AFO to get around and drive, without it would be big problems. Also have two herniated disc’s, bulged disk, and seven bone spurs. Not to mention numerous effects from ms like fatigue etc. Have had cancer ♋️ twice and first time 27 years ago with lung 🫁 removal and a stroke during surgery. Many other things have happened on my journey of life and I think 🤔 Now I can justify being disabled. I still feel very fortunate that I am stubborn and able to do what I do with my higher power in charge. Most of my friends understand the invisible disabilities also so I am very fortunate. Can I do what I use too, no but I have accepted it and cuss myself when I attempt too😆🤣. Laughter makes your disability much easier to handle. So Yes I am disabled and accepted what’s going on 👍🙏😉🤗🤪☺️ Ken 🐾🐾🐾🐾

[agapepilgrim]

Since the definition of disabled is "to have a physical, or mental, or social condition that limits movements, senses, or activities," I am definitely disabled. I have had MS, according to the neurologists, since I was 17 and had temporary blindness. I fought many disabling conditions over the years, to the point of diagnosis of adrenal fatigue. Went to many doctors and received many diagnoses, even the big "C" hidden somewhere, just a matter a time. Because there was no chronic or critical diagnosis, I kept pushing myself, never once considering myself disabled. One day while working as a paralegal for disability lawyers, I noticed several clients had the same diagnoses, taking same medications, and complaining of same symptoms, and awarding federal disability income. After surviving a head-on collision, and being put in a mental health floor of hospital for Anxiety Disorder, I applied for Disability and was awarded Disability based solely on my 4 doctors' records. I cried that day. I thought, "I can finally stop pushing myself, stop walking in spite of pain, stop thinking in spite of cognitive dysfunction causing migraines, etc., etc. I was actually disabled. I wasn't a hypochondriac. The more I started resting, the less often I got pneumonia and flare up of my chronic bronchitis. Finally, in 6/2016, a curious doctor collected all my records and decided to send me for an MRI. In the follow-up visit with neurologist, I was sitting on table, and she walks in room (a stranger), and says, "so, you are here for a follow-up on your MS?" I said, "No, I don't have MS." She said, "According to these MRIs you do, and have had it for a very low time, with old activity and new activity." At that moment, all I could think about was my cousin Susan, same age as me, and slowly dying from MS over 10 year period, at age 58. That day, I was 70. At that moment, I knew I was truly a disabled person for the rest of my life.

[jimeka in reply to agapepilgrim]

Great to see you back on the forum 👍 🤗

[Amore55]

I know that I am disabled. I have no doubt that I can no longer work and accomplish many things I would like to do. But I am also doing great, better than I have in many years.

[Jer29-11]

Interesting question! I don’t consider myself disabled, but I was taken back when I applied for a job and it asked if I had a disability. On the list of examples, MS was one. I was like do I say yes or no..? It was optional, so I just skipped it, lol! But, I’m going to hang on to “not disabled” for as long as I can! 😊❤️

[CV97 in reply to Jer29-11]

I came across the same question a few days ago on a survey and it took me a couple minutes to decide what to mark. I marked the "yes" checkbox because it wasn't anything significant. I'm certain I won't mark it on a job application, because I don't feel I'm at a point it needs to be disclosed on an application.

Do I consider myself disabled? No.

Do I have a disability? Depends who's asking, lol!

[Jer29-11 in reply to CV97]

Right, I found it hard to answer! It said the answer wouldn’t be disclosed, but that it’s part of an inclusivity attempt for people who are disabled. They’re striving for a certain percentage of people who are disabled working for the company. Still skipped over it, lol!

[erash]

Disabled? Hmmm…I definitely have different abilities than I used to. But then most people’s abilities change over time whether they have MS or not.

Someone else said it depends on the day. I agree. Disabled is a frame of mind. And believing I’m disabled is very disabling

[ahrogers]

I am dis-abled in the sense I am not as able as I once was. Even with an AFO my walking is affected and can't walk as far at one time. Luckily my job is a mix of walking and sitting. I can still work 2 jobs, 50 hours per week and do household chores. I have not requested a handicap placard yet but am sometimes tempted to because walking long distances us difficult. I feel like I can help my employers say they hire disabled people 😊 there are some things at work I have to say I can't physically do anymore.

[cindyrn68]

I don't consider myself disabled because I am still able to work and (mostly) do as I want to. I have some issues that make life harder, but I'm grateful to function as well as I do.

[palomino27]

Yeah I'm pretty sure I am. I'm progressive MS now in a $24k class 3 wheelchair since I broke my hip in December. I fell to the floor on Sunday and even with my brother-in-laws help I couldn't get back in the wheelchair. I'm 6'6" tall with severe spasticity in my legs. Straight as steel beams...lol... My strength used to be able to overcome the spasticity, but not even close anymore. Had to call 911 to get me up. So yeah I'm disabled...not saying so has cost me quite a bit over the years!

[goatgal]

Yeah, but I don't dwell on it. It's more on a level of self-awareness (like age, a bad haircut, etc) but, yes.

[lemtouni]

My son does not condider himself disabled. Nor do I. I look at him different from how he was before

[Brindisi1]

What beautifulpowerful testamonies

[JTZES]

Yes.Because I'm not allowed to work. Can not do what I want.

[sashaming1]

Yes. Not everything on me works perfectly. Nobody has everything that works perfectly. So, everybody's disabled in some way - either physically or mentally. We have to learn how to deal with our individual situation.

[DIsneyQueen]

I’ve read all the comments and actually agree with all of them. I am retired now and didn’t retire because of MS. Very limited now in my physical ability due to progression of PPMS, but really don’t consider myself disabled. Although I often refer to myself jokingly as the “ little disabled girl” My family gets annoyed with that though. They say I can do whatever I want, sometimes we just have to make adjustments. Disability is really a frame of mind, and I have chosen not to be disabled

[CrazyCatWom]

August I celebrated my 26th yeardancing with MS. I have finally come to terms with thefact that, yes, I am disabled. Not thrilled with the idea, but when I to thinking, "Ain9heat't nuthin' wrong with me!" Somethung can come along and slap me upside my headto remind me that no, I cannot do what I used to do. Sometimes that can be downight annoying (heat making me walk weird) or really scary (leaking annurysms when carrrying a broken 50 pound microwave to the curb for trash pick up).

[mrsmike9]

It depends. If my legs are not working as well as normal and I'm using my cane, yes. If not, no.

[BlanketTime1]

i think of myself as a crip or if i'm talking to an older person i'll say disabled. at this point i can't separate my illnesses from who i am as they impact everything i do. even standing up i have to be careful. i have part of a thigh that's either numb or feels as if someone's stabbing me, i am often dizzy and i have weak limbs that also often hurt. add the ataxia and i'm lucky i don't fall more.

[Tazmanian]

Yes I am disabled I was a firefighter for a long time I did not consider myself disabled but as time went by I retired on a disability pension, not necessarily by my choice

[Sandydemop]

No because I work full time from home not eligible for SSD. Yes because I take a dozen meds every day and I have an incurable disease that keeps getting worse. My mindset? Good days and not good days.

[cljones]

Yes I use a rollater. That makes me disabled

[CalfeeChick CommunityAmbassador]

A great question. I actually became classified as "Disabled" when I was 50 and Osteoarthritis took away my ability to do my job that I'd been doing for 22 years.. I worked hard and overcame much of that but still could not return to work. After 2 back surgeries, a knee replacement and hip replacement, all because of the arthritis. I am now looking at a third back surgery because the 6-7 vertebrae above the last surgery have curved into "scoliosis," it's safe to say I am disabled. My first back surgery was in 1999. I am doing "Chair-Yoga" and "Silversneakers" twice a week at the local gym. MS was added to my list of Disabilities when I went numb 5 years ago.