Peoples acceptance of disability/illness

Trialia

GlasweJen wrote: »

not any more you can't, IB is closed to all new applicants and has been replaced with ESA.

Right, but you know what I mean: the equivalent without needing NI contributions.

GlasweJen

there is actually an income based version of ESA which negates the need for the old complications caused by the incapacity in youth rules.

Indie_Kid

I can't believe I've just had someone on here tell me I'm "lucky" to have my particular disabilities. Yes, I know I'm lucky I'm not blind; but am in no way "lucky" that I get tired quicker than everyone else.

Vicky123

whoops, I do that one myself, when my husband is in super low mode about the kids autism and consequent difficulties I am forever pointing out they could have been born with a life limiting condition.
I always get the same reply "Just because someone else's child is worse off than mine doesn't make me feel it's OK then" or "Is that supposed to cheer me up".

seven-day-weekend

'Welcome to Holland' always cheers me up when I think about the difficulties my son with Aspergers' Syndrome has, especially when he was growing up (he's now rapidly approaching 30).
http://www.our-kids.org/Archives/Holland.html

NEH

Because mine varies (fibromyalgia) it's very hard for other people to understand....one day I can manage a whole day out but they don't see what I am like the day after so it's just not understood..

Unfortunately I all too often get the well what's that and the but you looked ok yesterday and I get to the point that I just don't have the energy or I just get tired of explaining all the time...

and quite often people will tell me I am looking good but those who know me know I am quite poorly that day...

My illness is one of those grey areas, it's not immediately obvious and neither is it well known....

wannabepennypincher

Not many people get mine either- I suffer from panic attacks and currently trying to get over agrophobia. Currently I'm really struggling to get out the house every other day as its my 'homework' to take a 5 minute walk into town, visit 2 shops and come home. It kills me, I always come home in a state and takes me about 3 hours to recover from a 30 minute trip. All anyone sees though is someone getting "free" money from the DLA even though there is 'nothing' wrong with me and someone even threatened to report me for faking. It makes you wonder why you bother.

Even my mum has said in the past that I just need to pull myself together.

Indie_Kid

wannabepennypincher wrote: »

All anyone sees though is someone getting "free" money from the DLA even though there is 'nothing' wrong with me and someone even threatened to report me for faking. It makes you wonder why you bother.

Even my mum has said in the past that I just need to pull myself together.

This is why I don't tell anyone about what benefits I do & don't receive. I made that mistake, and someone tell me I'm not disabled. Oh, and he has no idea what my disabilities actually mean - but thinks he does. And that's coming from someone who claims "I am virtually unable to walk"; but walks a lot better than I do. (I'm a bit wobbly)

lolly1981

y son is in the preocess of being diagnosed with ADHD..i knew it was a possibility he would have it as his father and uncle do...its amazing how many times i have heard "its not a alillness its just a way to xcuse badly behaved children' most of the time this is not he case...i hate the thought that my son is now going to be 'labelled'....i would never use ADHD as an excuse for his behaviour but it will give me some understanding in why he behaves the way he does.
what really annoys me bout the whole situation is the number f people with unruly cildren who says 'my kid has ADHD'...youre like oh really has he been diagnosed or you een a doctor about it...oh no but i read about the symptoms online...or my friends kid has it and mine behaves the same way (which i have happened to me) so they must have.
this in turn gives actual sufferers less credibility...as everyone has it now a day!!. as a parent of an ADHD child i know for a fact it isnt as simple as saying oh the doctor thinks my child has it or i read about the symptoms....it is a very long drawn out process under psychiatric care...with tons of assessments in the school by teachers....before they will entertain the fact your child might have ADHD...plus parents of children with ADHD tend to go to the parent as a last resort due to the fact that they tend to feel like bad parents (especially the mother) and it is something theyre doing wrong or that authorities might take your child away because they are unruly....its is usually when you are at the end of your tether and you just cant see a break or a light at the end of the tunnel that you will go to the doctors not just a passing ' oh the internet says so'
it has been one of the most heartbreking things coming to terms with the fact my son will be excluded for being hard work...at 3 yrs old i was asked in no uncertain terms to not take him back agan....because his concentration and focus was poor...he was 3...if thats how he gets treated at a dance class were they are meant to be hyped up whats in going to be like in other situations.

first thing peoplesay now is oh you'll be able to apply for DLA as if that is the top of my priorities...my priority is giving my son the best start in life possible...give him the skills he needs to lead a 'normal' life.
and yes that sound OTT but if you met my son or a child who genuinly suffers ADHD you would know exactly what i mean lol

Indie_Kid

lolly1981 wrote: »

first thing peoplesay now is oh you'll be able to apply for DLA

Comments like this really do annoy me. I do know people who get diagnosed with disabilities and the first thing they ask is "can I claim anything?" or their friends say "you could claim DLA". Yeah, I know it's there; but this does really annoy me.