I can't say what would be the worst in the future, but in the past I think that the effect my illness had on loved ones and colleagues was the worst part of disability. I spent a long time without a dx, and came under considerable suspicion because of that. Seeing people doubt you are "real" is hard, but of course that taught me what I could really rely on. It
was a great growth event in my life, over many years. Because of what happened to me, I tend to be compassionate toward ALL people, for no one knows what they are really going through or why they are as they are. I believe there is only a small sliver of
our lives which we have real control over, to change or direct, and the rest of it is all
"given". But that small sliver of something we can change or direct is the essence of our soul.