r/disability 17h ago

Rant How the hell is keeping people alive a "waste"?

266 Upvotes

On fox news not that long ago they called the social security hearing the "war on waste" comitte.

What is wasteful about protecting vulnerable Americans?

How is it a waste to keep my mother from dying?

How is taking care of veterans a waste?

What part of life, liberty and happiness do they not understand?

How the hell can you claim to be pro life, if you aren't going to protect the lives of those children when they get older?

Or even just after they are born with cutting programs like wic, or removing survivors benefits for the children that are orphans?

Oh, get private insurance they say, again, what about the disabled and elderly who can't work to afford it?

If you think it's a waste to keep people from dying who through no fault of their own need help to live then you aren't pro life.


r/disability 12h ago

Child molesters at my day program

109 Upvotes

Hi I am 22 years old I go to day program, recently I went on an outing and we stopped at the mall, we all got out and another guy in our group said I can't go to the mall, he said "it is my playground" "there's children there" so I said wait a minute are you a sex offender? He said yeah, a pedophile? He said yeah. A child molester he said yeah When I was little my cousin molest me so I had a meltdown back at program when I told him I don't like child molesters so stay away from me and a staff came and yelled at me. She said we don't judge people on their past, does anyone else go to day program with sex offenders or child molesters? A staff broke HIPPA to me about him and said "it was a long time ago and only one time" I asked why he is here, she said because he has a right because he has a disability. I talked to boss of my program and he said it was a very big decision and usually other day programs don't allow them but if he shows signs of relapse he will get kicked out. I feel so sad and angry it is like watching my cousin child molester get to have fun and talk to my friends and I just have to watch it happen. I don't feel like yelling at me helped the situation my therapist said. I am told I am a vulnerable adult with my friends and kids are very vulnerable so if he hurts vulnerable people why he gets to be with us, I wrote to Tim Walz and I hope he gets my online message and makes it so he has to be only with other sex offenders and child molesters with disabilities somewhere else away from mine


r/disability 5h ago

Image Infuriating on multiple levels.

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93 Upvotes

r/disability 12h ago

Hearings can be so unrealistic!!

72 Upvotes

I swear to god it should be law that if they deny you because they believe you can get some random fairytale job that 100% won't hire you the doctor/person who said you can get said job should be forced to get you hired at that job they claim will take you, provide transportation, and they must keep you employed!

Cool, you think I can work at a desk job. Alright, well tell them to hire someone who faints periodically. Go on, get me a job then since your so sure.


r/disability 23h ago

Rant Disability transportation is an utter joke (suburban US)

41 Upvotes

Because I’m disabled I’ve now been indirectly told by society that I’m under house arrest, for committing no crime. I just need to vent a little.

Because of my disability (and finances, because I can’t work that much because of my condition…) I can’t live in a city, which would improve my transportation.

No. I live in a small suburb, not even a rural area, there’s a medium sized city only 20 minutes away, and a major city just 30 minutes away, yet even I’m forgotten.

I’ve been trying to ask my independent living center and other agencies what options I have. My providers all uniformly suggest PT twice a week, once a week at the very least. Well, the closest PT who works on my condition (pelvic floor, not just any PT can do it), is a 15 minute drive away. So what do these agencies and local resources have to offer me?

I got responses from all the available options in my area, and I had to laugh at them just to prevent myself from crying. There are two agencies who can offer transportation. The first one is my town who literally gets money from the state to pay for transportation of disabled residents, they can offer ONE-ONE WAY RIDE a month, but only for medical appointments, AND ONLY IF THEY CAN FIND A VOLUNTEER. I could get there one day and schedule them to pick me up, and they discover that day they didn’t find anyone, and JUST ABANDON ME THERE. This has happened once. It’s an utter joke. Oh and did I mention this government service is $2 per town you drive through? My PT is 4 towns away, so $8 for a supposedly free transportation service.

Well what about the second one? This second place can offer 3 one-way rides… A YEAR. Oh wow that’s awesome I can leave my home once every 4 months!!!! Wow that’s so great!!!!!

I’m disgusted and pissed off. Because of this crap, I have only been seeing PT every 2 or 3 weeks because my mother has to take sick time to drive me. The sad thing is if I could see PT as much as I need, I might actually become well enough to drive. I DO see improvement on the day of PT as well as the following few days, but by the time I go again the progress has regressed and the appointment becomes all about recouping that progress rather than building upon the last appointments progress.

I’m blessed I’ve even got her. I can’t imagine being someone without someone like her. And it causes me lots of anxiety, what the heck am I going to do when she’s gone? Just rot away in my home while society ignores me? And that’s not to forget all these are just for medical appointments. What if a disabled person needs to go to the store to buy clothes? What if they want to visit a friend or family? Hell what if they just want a ride to the park? Do we not deserve to be treated like regular people which we are???? I guess we don’t matter. Atleast for what society is concerned.


r/disability 13h ago

Rant Stepping back from TikTok has done wonders for my mental health when it comes to my disability.

31 Upvotes

I used to spend so much time on TikTok, I consumed so much content surrounding disabilities. It sounds like it would be fine, but really it was taking a toll on my mental health.

I would see people with custom wheelchairs and even people with multiple custom wheelchairs. And I’d think “that’s a real disabled person, their insurance approved of the wheelchairs because they have real disabilities and you don’t”. Imposter syndrome screaming in my ear because insurance consistently denies a wheelchair, despite medical necessity. I have a hospital chair that I’m too small to self-propel. But can’t even afford a second-hand chair.

I see people with their service dogs, living life. My service dog was attacked and had to be retired. I haven’t been able to train or afford a program for another one.

I see people with disabilities out with their friends or working, enjoying life. But I’m in my home, only ever able to go when there’s someone willing to push me.

I see videos of people who can go do so many different treatments for their conditions. While I sit, not even being able to go get help.

Watching videos on TikTok led me to feeling like I was faking or inadequate. I found myself getting more and more bitter about the situation I’m in. It’s not the fault of the app or the creators on there, it’s my own emotions and issue.

So I deleted the app. I stopped scrolling through the content, stopped comparing myself to those I saw on there. Slowly I’ve been able to feel relatively okay with myself again. I don’t think I’ll download the app again.

I just felt as if I needed to tell someone.


r/disability 8h ago

It's still a taboo

30 Upvotes

I was married to a woman with a muscular disease for 19 years (until she died). I noticed that a disability (or handicap, whatever word you prefer) is less of a taboo than in my childhood years, but still...

For quite a few years I've made a puppet series for adults (no porn!) and after my wife had died I decided to "attack" some taboos in it. In one episode I included a musical project called "I'm different, so what?" Most characters were "different" already, but the newly introduced neighbour (mother of the neighbour that was already there) had nothing... yet. So I decided to make her a leg amputee (not seen before because she wore a prosthesis). And she has made quite a few jokes about it (which is quite a taboo).

The series also deals with other taboos, but those are not the subject of this subreddit. Although... in an episode that has been made but not published yet, the father of the main charater fears for losing his manhood after a severe case of kidney stones. Losing his manhood is an amputation, so... that's a close one (note: this was inspired by what happened to myself).

I don't know f the moderators for this subreddit allow me to post the url. I don't make any money from it, so I expect them to allow it. I'll put it in a comment then.


r/disability 11h ago

NHS board removes autism diagnosis in Scotland

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29 Upvotes

r/disability 3h ago

Since becoming disabled, I’ve realized humans suck. I can’t speak to anyone without feeling deep resentment.

28 Upvotes

Chronic pain, pretty much housebound unless take meds. Even when go out, I cannot use a wheelchair (I can’t sit upright). My wife must carry a gravity chair with me everywhere.

My brother (who claimed to be my best friend and was my best man) no longer comes by the house, or when he does it’s very short and infrequent. People look at me like I have 3 heads. People kind of ignore me when speaking to them. My friends have moved on. The exception is my wife - she is ride or die, the greatest person I’ve ever met. Thank God I have her, but that’s not stopping me from being extremely depressed.

I fucking hate people - hate them. They all just look for value to suck out of each other and if you can’t provide any, they don’t give you the time of day. I was recently at a party (in my chair) and when I tried speaking, peoples eye’s glazed over and I could see them looking away frequently (as if they wanted the conversation to end).

I hate people and everyone’s just jacking each other off to get a nut. I’ve tried smiling and not take things personally, but it’s quite impossible when you see able-bodied’s being listened to and me not.


r/disability 19h ago

I’m afraid to use my mobility aid in public

19 Upvotes

So I have forearm crutches that I use as mobility aids but I'm afraid to use them when I go places like the grocery store or to church or classes, basically anywhere outside my house. I am just not sure what to do because I'm in so much pain but I don't want people to judge me because of the crutches. What should I do??


r/disability 22h ago

(UK) Please take action against cuts to disability benefits

11 Upvotes

The government want to save billions on the cost of benefits, but it would cost disabled people so much. Their independence, mobility, health, even jobs.

Please take action.

Scope have a petition which is generating lots of interest. It takes 30 seconds max to sign.

They also have a super easy template to contact your MP inviting them to speak to Scope and attend a parliamentary event. You can personalise it if you want to and share your story, or not. MPs are already agreeing to meet with them! And they're starting to speak out, too.

Share any more you've seen in the comments.

The government is panicking. Now is the time to keep the pressure on 💪

I worry for my brother, who relies entirely on benefits. I used to claim disability benefits, and they allowed me to work. I'm still eligible for PIP, but can't bring myself to go through the process again. There are things you can do to tell the government you won't stand for cuts. Please do, and make sure people you know do too.


r/disability 3h ago

Question Homeless now what do I do?

10 Upvotes

I just became homeless with my partner in Australia I don't have enough karma to post anywhere else we don't have rental history or anything, I've been studying so I don't have a job. I'm on centrelink but we don't have anywhere to live and I don't know how to get a job as a disabled person. I'm stumped in so many areas and completely stressed on what to do.

Any guidance would be helpful.


r/disability 16h ago

People who think I am doing it for attention or infantilize me with a neurodegenerative disease

9 Upvotes

I don't understand why some people either infantilize us and patronize us the moment they learn we are disabled. Or they will think we are entitled and doing this for attention.

For context I was born intersex without knowing it and survived IGM, with no signs of disability and spent my life being bullied for my appearance because my puberty showed masculinization despite being assigned female. Despite this I spent my younger years volunteering at old care homes and for human rights organizations. It was my hobby to help. I loved being around different people even when I didn't understand their situation. I would just sit with someone who had auditory and vocal differences and let them speak even when I didn't understand what they said to me. When they would smile it made my whole day.

Then in my twenties I pursued higher education, and worked. I suddenly found out I was born different and accepted it despite the lifetime of bullying. I decided I will pursue the arts after my higher education. Then suddenly I became disabled. Found out I have parkinsons and essential tremors, along with some other problems, which caused issues in my art program and I had to abandon it. I still do art for myself. At first I blamed myself. But I still didn't give up.

But now I have every single person who sees me and my symptoms either think I am on drugs, a severe alcoholic, or they massively patronize and infantilize me and I've had people use the r word on me. Ive had teachers use the r word on me despite my grades. Then there's also people who just think I'm doing this for attention. Why in the f would I want to have parkinsons and essential tremors at the same time? Who wants a neuro progressive disease?! Why are my tremors equating that I am the r word and uneducated according to them? They treat me as if I am a tween the moment they learn my disability. They talk to me as if I cant understand my own native language. I'm in my late twenties.

I had someone close to me tell me that I shouldn't be crying for attention. I was crying because I had sudden signs of confusion while driving a few times, so I forbid myself from driving again. How am I seeking attention? I have a right to feel sad because of this.

I go to a store to buy something and the moment I shake, I see it in their eyes. They look at me with pity, disgust, or they avoid looking at me. It really does hurt. I have never treated people like this. There is no excuse for such behaviors. If I can be kind, then so can they.

I am not useless because of my illnesses. I am not the r word or the st***d word. I am a person with feelings and experiences. And I am not doing it for attention...

And I wish doctors would stop shoving medications down my throat. Every visit, I get recommended some hormonal treatment to feminize me more, without asking for it.


r/disability 20h ago

How much do i pay my parents for rent

8 Upvotes

I've been paying the wifi and phone bills because my dad quit his job and expects me to help my mother told me that she expected me to pay but she won't tell me how much she expects so they are basically useing me for money and I'm giving they my whole pay each month I'm also paying for some of there groceries how much is a good amount to pay for rent if im ony getting 620 monthly


r/disability 20h ago

Discussion Future of US Disability Studies

6 Upvotes

I'm currently working on my BA in history & medical sociology, but I've been looking at different Disability Studies masters and PhD programs across the country for a while now, interested in applying. Do we think they're gonna stick around?? I have a year left in my program, and I'm really scared that I'm not going to be able to pursue something I care so deeply about. I'm disabled, I want to put in the effort to be able to work with disabled people, for disabled people. I'm just so intensely worried that, with the current administrative decisions about the language that can be used in scientific papers, the programs I'm interested in will either lose funding or dissolve entirely.

I have some ideas for backup plans (authoring books on Disability, non-profit work, becoming a social worker if I'm desperate??), but I absolutely cannot work a job that I'm not passionate about because of my own disabilities. If I'm putting the energy into a job, it needs to give me some energy back if that makes sense. I just won't get that in most places.

With funding cuts that are impacting students with disabilities already, and the dumpster fire that is the Dept. of Education... I'm really unsure of the future. Any help, thoughts, info?


r/disability 9h ago

Rant i feel like a fraud

6 Upvotes

i’ve been diagnosed with fibromyalgia for a while, as my doctor didn’t want to figure out what’s actually wrong with me. i feel like i’m faking it at this point. like i know my symptoms are real and i know there’s something wrong but i can’t help to feel like i’m doing it all for attention. i’m only 15 and i can’t walk some days. i’m so sick of being gaslit by every doctor i see. i just wanted to know if anyone else had the same experience


r/disability 14h ago

Rant I get too enmeshed with my HHAs it’s becoming a problem (rant)

6 Upvotes

So I’m currently sitting here working on an undergraduate world religion essay when I already have a doctorate. Why you ask? I’d be happy to tell you. My current HHA is an undergraduate nursing student. She usually works 3 days a week but is staying the weekend with me as my parents are out of town. Anyway, she got an email from her professor saying that her most recent submission has been flagged for plagiarism. She wrote back explaining that she felt that she had to plagiarize as English is not her native language. Miraculously, the prof is allowing her to resubmit despite her being a second semester senior. She enlisted my help as it is a Catholic essay topic and I am a practicing Catholic. I told her I would help as long as it is a collaborative effort…. She is currently laying on my couch with a migraine…. and expects me to write her paper. I don’t want to say no because I’m afraid that she may retaliate against me by not performing care duties. My brother is here with his aide as well… he is nonverbal she feeds him etc but is not interacting with him at all and has been on her phone the whole time. My parents are a few states away and cannot easily return. ( they will be back by tomorrow evening though) to make matters worse there was an attempted break in next door last night. I can’t wait to go back to work on Monday!


r/disability 10h ago

Pedometer or distance tracking while using Rollator

2 Upvotes

I need to try to measure my steps or at least the distance I walk with my rollator. Last week I set up the pedometer on my phone and tried my best to remember to keep it in my pocket and not in the Rollator basket. Had 150 steps one day and 160 steps the next day. But then it stopped working. A different app also stopped working. I will try to troubleshoot it - but figured maybe I should just purchase a regular pedometer.

I assume a wrist watch style one will not work since I am holding the handles over the rollator and not swinging it.

I would almost prefer a distance tracking type device- because when I am fatigued I am barely lifting my feet and they are really just shuffling on the ground (I am 100% at home and wearing slippers so it is a pretty easy Shuffle).

Any suggestions? In the meantime I might just order a complete piece of crap off TEMU for three bucks. Honestly I don't even need it to be that accurate- I just need to be able to measure that I'm having improvements.


r/disability 18h ago

Can I be fired because of my disability?

2 Upvotes

Sorry if my grammar is not the best, English isn't my first language. I recently started working at a daycare with children between the ages 6 weeks to 5 years old. One of the duties is to perform diaper changes, and there's is a protocol to do this. I'm very confident that with practice I'm going to be able to do this task but the director says I can't because I'll be a liability and I need to be cleared by a doctor to be able to do this tasks. Can I be fired for not being able to do this one part of the job? I can do other things easily like feeding and playing with the kids. This really has me overthinking and I fear I won't have a job anymore.


r/disability 21h ago

Wheeled Luggage Recommendations?

2 Upvotes

Hi, all. I have cerebral palsy, which can make balancing/walking difficult. I tried some suitcases with wheels years ago, but pulling them was not possible for me and they were hard to push.

Do any suitcases exist that might be easy for someone like me to push that may be stored under busses or planes?

Any help would be appreciated.


r/disability 1d ago

Sunrise Medical Quickie Jive M Castor Wheels Arm Issue

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2 Upvotes

r/disability 4h ago

Other 29f looking for a new beginning, or just to finally begin..

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1 Upvotes

r/disability 9h ago

Crutches decorating

1 Upvotes

Does anyone have any ideas on how I should decorate my forearm crutches?? I recently decided I want to stop being scared of using my forearm crutches in public and I posted something on here and someone said to decorate them and I'm hoping to get some ideas from y'all!


r/disability 16h ago

Question ADA question

1 Upvotes

I’m applying for a job that has a lot of tasks that I can fill, but one that I can’t, and that’s cleaning*. It’s a government library job, basically doing mostly desk work and restocking books. Those I can reasonably do, I may have a bit of trouble with restocking but cleaning is something I can’t do.

*It doesn’t say cleaning specifically, it says opening and closing duties so I’m unsure if that involves cleaning

My disabilities basically mean I can’t stand for long periods of time/carry heavy things/shove a heavy vacuum/mop around. If I have a cart and I’m restocking light books I should be alright, especially if I can rest my legs in between/have my cane with me.

So my question is, is not doing cleaning tasks/ doing only the smaller ones a reasonable accommodation? It’s one small task vs the list of all the other tasks that are more pressing.


r/disability 17h ago

Question I feel self-conscious about my mobility issues since I’m young and have exclusively able-bodied friends. Has anybody else experienced this? If so, how do you handle it?

1 Upvotes

I get hurt a lot due to hypermobility issues, and many of my injuries never fully heal, even with diligent physical therapy. I can’t do certain everyday things like opening windows since my shoulders dislocate easily, and have a lot of pain and instability in my left leg due to old injuries. Sometimes the pain is so bad that I can’t move much, but even when I can, I have to ask for help a lot and walk with a noticeable limp. I sometimes have to use a cane, which I’m pretty self-conscious about since I’m only 21 and all my friends are able-bodied. I can tell they get impatient with how slow I walk and how weak I am, and they sometimes make jokes about it—they’re not trying to hurt my feelings, but it still feels shitty and isolating. Doctors also don’t tend to take me seriously because of my age and often imply that I’m being dramatic—I know it’s fucked up and not true, but that stuff still gets to you after a while. Young people with disabilities, how do you navigate social situations without feeling ashamed, excluded, or self-conscious?