11 May 2023 Technically you are

[RoyceNewton]

G'day my ms newbies (newly diagnosed). I am sorry to say YOU and I are now disabled. Note that I said technically, that is by the rules set by governments, and insurance companies. Certainly not by your day-to-day life. After 20+ years I lift daily more weight at the gym than I did before I was diagnosed (Dx'd), but technically by law, I am disabled. Because YOU are newly Dx'd or an oldtimer does not automatically make YOU a feeble invalid, not by a long shoot. Of course, if YOU want to be that is your choice. Do what makes you happiest and fulfils your life. BUT technically my ms sibling we are disabled. Make it not a big deal in your life, just like the colour of your hair.

Be well today, accept what has happened to YOU and make the absolute best out of it that YOU can.

Royce

[starlight5]

I disagree with your interpretation.

MS is a condition/disease that qualifies for disability.

That is certainly not the same as you stated above "the rules set by governments, and insurance companies" saying that everyone with MS is technically disabled.

[RoyceNewton in reply to starlight5]

I am not sure what you mean but 20+ years ago in a foreign country I had ms and was legally classified as disabled. If your experience was different so be it,

[NorasMom in reply to starlight5]

I can understand where Royce is coming from with this, because I frequently use the term "technically disabled" when discussing my life.

During my last 6 years in the work force, I kept switching jobs in an attempt to find something I could still do, because without a diagnosis I couldn't qualify for Disability in spite of getting worse by the day. Once I got those things in short order, I was no different than I'd been the day before, but I was now "technically disabled" and seen in a different light by the government, the insurance companies, and just people in general.

I don't see myself as hopeless or an invalid, so when discussing my life or physical shortcomings, I tend to use "technically disabled" to let others know that I'm not looking for pity and just trying to keep things in perspective.

[twooldcrows in reply to starlight5]

we have to prove that we are classified as disabled as per classified data ....i had to get a lawyer for just because you have MS isn't being disabled...i had all the data before but i had to get a lawyer to prove for me ...took several years of bs...sorry but it isn't easy ...

[twooldcrows]

said it well ...loved it and it is to the point of don't let it label you ...you are still the same person you just have an illness that will not kill you ...just have to make a few adjustments....love and happiness is some great medicine for dealing with it ...lots of laughs ,giggles and any thing that makes you really happy with a big SMILE on your face....take care and enjoy life...

[twooldcrows]

love it ...great way to classify yourself for we don't want pity for it isn't necessary ...thank you for posting this ...

[twooldcrows in reply to twooldcrows]

the second reply was to be sent to nora's mom ...sorry about that ...hit the wrong key ....ahhahahahahha

[Cwright170994]

Thank you for putting this up! 🫂❤️ I wish I had seen this back in 2015, when I was confirmed to be clinically definite 🙃 would have given me more of a push to apply for the UK's version of disability benefits: the dreaded Personal Independence Payments back then. I didn't feel disabled then, and I only had a reason to apply for that when I couldn't work anymore when I had to quit my job in Feb 2019. I had talked myself out of answers, like "are you able to walk 20m independently?" where I answered, "on good days, yes." I had to appeal the government's decision, with screenshot from my 1st MRI when I got my clinically isolated diagnosis, as well of a screenshot of when u got my letter a year later, after having an MRI due to vertigo... I got a large backpay from when i first applied, because the government gave me max points for everything 😁 should have definitely applied sooner 🙄🙃

[Cwright170994 in reply to Cwright170994]

Should have added: I now walk short distances with a stick, longer distances with a wheelchair (manual for going on flat surfaces such as in a supermarket, electric for everything else outside 🤷‍♀️) I'm now able to walk to a toilet with my stick, and I remember having a conversation with a woman in the ladies loos about why I've got my stick, how her husband has MS, walks like he's drunk (obviously isn't) and how he refuses to get a stick or a wheelchair! She cried, and I gave her as much of a comforting hug and knowledge as I could. I still think about her, hoping she and her husband are doing alright ❤️🫂