How Do You Explain Your Disability?

doydie · 03-21-2011, 11:05 PM

As an RN whose passion was educating patients, families and fellow coworkers I was never hesitant to tell anyone about what MS is. And as far as the statement about 'that gravy train', they don't deserve an answer if they say that to you. I do get statements about why I have a handicap placcard. I just tell them that if they are willing to trade me their worst day for my MS that it does come with the sticker to use. I'm just forever grateful that all of my family understands. Of course most of my family have some ind of auto immune disorder so all of us understand anyway!

ewizabeth · 03-21-2011, 11:14 PM

I don't even try to explain it anymore. There are those I work with who call off work or have various complaints for one thing or another. I sometimes think I could ask for exceptions for my various disabilities but I don't worry about it anymore. If it becomes a problem I will, but most people don't want the hear about my limitations anyway.

KajunButterfly · 03-22-2011, 04:39 PM

I'm with ya Wiz..I never try to explain anymore.

ginnie · 03-22-2011, 07:06 PM

My cousin has MS. All you have to do to see her life is spend a day with her. People I think arn't so kind because they just are not educated. I hope and pray for a cure and admire the people here who try so hard.

ginnie

J FITZ · 03-28-2011, 02:19 PM

I know how you feel, i have ms and have been dealing this problem since i was 45, i am 67 now. One day at a time.

Quote:

Originally Posted by kitty

how do you explain ms to those who don't have it? How do you explain why you have so many limitations when they aren't always apparent and obvious?

The reason i'm asking is because of a comment someone made to me in an email. I haven't seen this person (a family member) in a long while so they aren't familiar with my daily struggles and limitations.

After i explained that i no longer work and am living on ssdi they wanted to know how they could "get on that gravy train".

I haven't responded and won't until i'm a little less offended. How can folks be so clueless? I really don't owe them or anyone else for that matter an explanation. But i always seem to have trouble describing my condition to those who aren't familiar with it. It would take all day to go over all the different sx i deal with.

legzzalot · 03-28-2011, 03:17 PM

I had someone ask me "what's it like?" I replied it was like being in prison, but not as much fun. There is torture, but at least in prison you have hope of escaping and someone else do cook your meals and do your laundry.

She never asked me about it again.

NurseNancy · 03-28-2011, 04:27 PM

if i'm asked outright i give the short but accurate explanation about MS being a non curable, progressive neurological disease of the CNS; brain and spinal cord. they usually don't ask me much after that.

the thing that bothers me about my MS is my short term memory loss. i can't remember names and don't want people to feel they're not important or that i don't want to bother with them. i will more often say that not remembering is an MS thing.

i talk very calmly, like i'm in my educate mode.

please don't let this person upset you. it's ignorant and rude. let the thought go into the clouds.

legzzalot · 03-29-2011, 06:17 AM

Names.... it's not just me!

I was on the way to the lawyer the other day when I ran into the truck driver I used to see every day when I was working. A very sweet man, who's number was memorized. I can remember his truck is yellow and his name is on it but I could not (and still can't) remember the man's name.

it's frustrating.

azoyizes · 03-29-2011, 11:46 AM

Kitty, I think what you said about not answering the email was the best idea. Especially since you haven't heard from this cousin in a long time.

With a service dog, I get all kinds of questions. One man actually looked at me and asked, "can you see?" I said "yes"! I had the manager of a restaurant come over to the table and say, "I see you have a guide dog. We just got in these Braille menus and I was wondering if you would like to have one". I explained that Monty was not a guide dog but a service dog, and that I was not blind but I fall down a lot. That one was comical.

One thing I love about having Monty with me is that people usually focus on him and not on me.

Kitty · 03-29-2011, 11:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by azoyizes

One thing I love about having Monty with me is that people usually focus on him and not on me.

Well, if they could train cats to be service animals I'd be in luck! LOL!

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Beginning the process of disability/disability retirement/SSdisability	gramE	Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD and CRPS)	17	12-01-2010 02:02 AM
Rates of People on Disability are going up: This tries to explain why.	Mari	Bipolar Disorder	2	11-18-2010 03:58 PM
Trying to explain....I am not well.	bizi	Bipolar Disorder	55	10-22-2010 05:37 PM
Can you explain what this is?	Debbie D	The Stumble Inn	12	01-25-2010 09:11 PM
Beyond Disability.. Introduction to disability etiquette	BobbyB	ALS News & Research	0	09-22-2008 08:30 AM

Site Navigation

NeuroTalk Online Support Groups

How Do You Explain Your Disability?

NeuroTalk Forums