this post was submitted on 29 May 2025
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disabled

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Welcome to c/disabled, an anticapitalist community for disabled people/people with disability(s).

What is disability justice? Disability justice is a framework of activism which centers disabled people of multiple intersections. Before participating in in this community, please read the Ten Principles of Disability Justice.

Do I count as disabled/a person with disability(s)? "Disability" is an umbrella term which encompasses physical disabilities, emotional/psychiatric disabilities, neurodivergence, intellectual/developmental disabilities, sensory disabilities, invisible disabilities, and more. You do not have to have an official diagnosis to consider yourself disabled.

Follow the Rules:

  1. This comm is open to everyone. However, the megathread is only open to people who self-identify as disabled/a person with disability(s). We center the experiences of disabled people here, and if you are abled we ask that you please respect that.
  2. Follow the principles of disability justice, as outlined in the link above.
  3. Zero tolerance for ableism. That includes lateral ableism. Ableism will result in a ban.
  4. No COVID minimization.
  5. Do not offer unsoliticed health advice. We do not want to hear about the wonders of exercise or meditation, thank you very much. Additionally, do not moralize health or "healthy choices".
  6. If posting an image, please write an image description for our blind/low vision comrades. (If doing this is inaccessible to you, DM one of the mods and we will help.)
  7. Please CW and spoiler tag discussions of ableism.
  8. When it comes to identify-first vs person-first language, respect the language that people choose for themselves. If someone wants to be referred to as a disabled person, respect that. If someone wants to be referred to as a person with a disability, respect that.
  9. Try to avoid using ableist language. It is always good to be mindful of the way language has been used to oppress and harm people.
  10. Follow the Hexbear Code of Conduct.

Let's kick back and have fun!

founded 7 months ago
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Hello everyone! Don't have a lot to say, finally got around to making the new mega.


As always, we ask that in order to participate in the weekly megathread, one self-identifies as some form of disabled, which is broadly defined in the community sidebar:

"Disability" is an umbrella term which encompasses physical disabilities, emotional/psychiatric disabilities, neurodivergence, intellectual/developmental disabilities, sensory disabilities, invisible disabilities, and more. You do not have to have an official diagnosis to consider yourself disabled.

Mask up, love one another, and stay alive for one more week.

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[–] YoBippo@hexbear.net 17 points 1 week ago (2 children)

I haven't posted in here before but today I just needed a place to speak my peace and I hope that is alright.

I am 37 years old. I was a Chef for 15 years. My family was poor and when my father stole the savings we had for college I attended Job Corp to get my culinary degree. Seeing that they have now been defunded kind of made me think about where I am and how I was so grateful for that opportunity even if my body has fallen apart.

I have Porphyria, COPD, Heart Failure, Antiphospholipid Syndrome, Lupus, and Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension. Many of these conditions were unknown to me until my state finally expanded medicaid. Since then I have undergone alot of testing and seem to be collecting new diagnoses like Pokemon.

I had filed for Disability 2 years ago and have many conditions that should qualify me according to their own website. Instead NC has given me the run around for years, denied me twice, i filed again and have now been waiting a year with almost no contact from them despite constant calls and messaging and emails.

Last July I became homeless due to my savings running out and being unable to work. I used the last of my money on a car so that I wouldn't be living on the street. I have been driving for Lyft to stay alive and afford my food, gas, and medicines. Constant doctor visits and hospitalizations have made it impossible to keep up with even those lately and my car is now falling apart as well. No AC with the Carolina summer coming up, a failing transmission, and god knows what else that is keeping me from passing inspection now and unable to renew my registration because of it. Even if I could afford it.

The system is literally killing me and Trump and the Republicans have made it somehow even more unforgiving. This month I even lost my food stamps as NC told me I didn't work enough to qualify.

As i type this I sit here feeling what I think is the beginning of blood clots forming again in my lung and leg and I don't know if I even want to go to the hospital again because I am not seeing a point.

I only keep going for my Partner, my Mother, and my little brother but I really don't feel anything for me anymore. I am so tired and don't see the end of this tunnel like I used to. All i see is the end of the month approaching while i am hospitalized and unable to work enough to pay for the impossible bills that have accrued from Disability constantly delaying my approval.

I see me, on the street because my car is unable to be registered, unable to work to afford my medicines, and still dying here either way.

Sorry for the downer comment but I needed somewhere to vent and I am sure many of you have seen similar struggles and I don't want to feel so alone.

[–] un_mask_me@hexbear.net 9 points 1 week ago

Just wanted to put it out there that you're always welcome here, and I'm so sorry you're being subjected to such unnecessary cruelty. I'm not sure what else to say, other than we're here with you comrade.

[–] gingerbrat@hexbear.net 9 points 1 week ago

My heart goes out to you, comrade, and I hope despite everything that there's a light at the end of your tunnel. I'm sorry it has been such a hard road for you to walk, and I can't imagine how difficult it must have been / must be right now. cuddle

[–] DisabledAceSocialist@hexbear.net 17 points 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago) (11 children)

I'm back to be able to wear shoes comfortably at last. My surgical wounds have pretty much healed and aren't painful any more. The black cloud is my bloody tendon, still inflamed. But at least I'm able to walk around outside for about 5 minutes a time, three times a day. Better than being trapped indoors permanently, but still frustrating. I am so desperate to be able to walk more. But it's thanks to this community helping me get the things I needed that my surgeries are finally over and healed, and my landlady's car is usable again and for that I couldn't be more thankful.

[–] un_mask_me@hexbear.net 8 points 2 weeks ago (3 children)

Glad to hear you're back on your feet comrade, and that you got some assistance with the car. Hopefully things will continue in a better direction for ya.

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[–] gingerbrat@hexbear.net 7 points 1 week ago (1 children)

I'm so happy to hear you got better love. It's never enough, but this is such big progress that I just squealed when I read it meow-hug

[–] DisabledAceSocialist@hexbear.net 8 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago)

Thank you. And I've discovered something else today that might help me. I've been trying to go vegan for ages, but I've developed so many food intolerances that it's been really difficult. I cut out all red meat decades ago, and have developed an intolerance to eggs, so they're gone. But I've still been eating chicken and fish and I really wanted to stop, especially the chicken because I don't want to contribute to factory farming. But whenever I try and replace it with extra vegetables, I get gastric issues. Today I found out about FODMAPs and it turns out I've been eating high-FODMAP veggies like mushrooms and broccoli. If I switch to low-FODMAP ones like carrots and courgettes I might be able to increase my veg intake without getting sicker. And I've been putting my food intake into cron o meter and I think I might just have to give up trying to be totally vegan and accept eating a bit of fish each day to meet my nutrient requirements. At least it's not factory farmed, I suppose. So I'm going to swap chicken for fish and change the veg I'm eating and see if I feel any better. Of course, there are mercury concerns with fish but apparently white fish is OK every day. Sainsburys does bags of frozen white fish quite cheap, I will try those.

I feel a renewed determination to try and improve my health because I've found a "hobby" (not the right word but can't think of a better one) that I want to get into. Many years ago I read The Mists of Avalon and absolutely loved it. It's about Pagan priestesses living on the isle of Avalon together, along with Merlin the Druid, learning magic. Ever since then, I have really wanted to live like that but I thought there was no chance. But I recently found out that there has been a Druid revival and there's a thing called The Order of Bards, Ovates and Druids, and you can literally do a course to become a Druid and join the organisation. I am really keen on this idea, and for the first time in ages I have a bit of hope that I might be able to improve my life at least a little. At least to no longer feel relentless, crushing hopelessness and misery with nothing in my future but su1c1d£.

My mood always goes up and down drastically, I sometimes find myself keen on an idea but then difficulties arise with it or I end up too unwell to go through with it, so maybe I will give up on this but right now I feel really keen on trying to improve my health as much as possible and if I win my benefit appeal I will use some of the backpay to do the Druid course. If only my tendon would heal up and I could walk outside for more than 5 minutes at a time that would be a huge help too.

EDIT: No, I can't do it. I need to find a way to be vegan. Everything inside me is telling me to.

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[–] roux@hexbear.net 16 points 2 weeks ago* (last edited 1 week ago) (1 children)

Sorry I've been afk lately. As I said in a comment below I am ok with adding new mods and having volunteers do the megas. I don't thnk the other still active mods would mind but I don't wanna make that decision solo. I'm gonna try to message them in the mod chat about it.

For me, the reason I'm been pretty quiet on here lately is because I was trying to get my PSL chapter going, then got involved in an anarchist collective and we are working on a few Panthers inspired projects. Last week we spent a lot of time trying our best to provide food, water, medical aid and transportation to a local unhoused encampment since the city decided they wanted to put all the unhoused into a concentration camp. Trying to not get to into it, they used tax money to proved essentially tin cans for the homeless to live in but there are only spots for 50 people and we have well over 100. The encampment got torn down and now we don't have any way to communicate with probably 75% of them and we are trying to figure out next steps. The city funded camp only has room for 50 but also does not let anyone stay there during the day, doesn't allow safe use sites as a safety net, and also only allows a small amount of personal belonging. One couple we were helping had 3 dogs and they only let them take 2. In the end, they also arrested one of them over ancient charges from her past. Essentially the whole thing is an excuse for law enforcement to use violence against the unhoused.

We have a few other things we are working on but that sort of took center stage. ACAB. Humans deserve dignity. Housing and food is a human right and should not be treated as a commodity.

[–] un_mask_me@hexbear.net 8 points 1 week ago (1 children)

You're appreciated and it's awesome that you're helping others IRL, even when it's an uphill battle

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[–] LeylaLove@hexbear.net 15 points 2 weeks ago (7 children)

Received a 40k hospital bill from my time in the ICU today because Medicaid didn't want to cover it. I love America so much

[–] HexaSnoot@hexbear.net 8 points 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago)

Disturbing. I'm so sorry. Are you able to fight the rejection?

Idk anything about how to do that, but after the CEO got shot, I read how people more often receive previously rejected coverage the more repeatedly and insistently they fight with more requests. Because Anthem insurance keeps track of who will cave upon rejection amd who's not worth the time trying to keep rejecting. (Anthem is who privatized Medicaid, right?)

In the meantime, maybe you can set up a mutual aid fund about this.

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[–] TheSpectreOfGay@hexbear.net 13 points 2 weeks ago (4 children)

this month marks a year since i cut out my abusive ex and started getting treatment for depression/anxiety, and im pretty proud of how far i've come with that, so that's pretty cool

[–] un_mask_me@hexbear.net 7 points 1 week ago (1 children)

Proud of you too, congrats on the big milestone!

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[–] gingerbrat@hexbear.net 12 points 1 week ago (2 children)

I am very happy about the new mega, thank you meow-hug

My surgery was quite the ordeal, and I'm still recovering, but I honestly regret going through with it. I just wanna curl up and die. There're moments when I don't feel any pain and think it's fine, and then I just try to move even the tiniest bit and the wound explodes with pain. My doctor told me this was to be expected, but honestly, I don't think it was necessary to do it. Anyway, suffering and recovering over here, hope your week is treating you better.

[–] un_mask_me@hexbear.net 8 points 1 week ago (3 children)

Sending hugs and a speedy recovery comrade, I'm catching up but my goodness have you been through it. Hoping you can get some good rest and maybe sleep through the worst of it.

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[–] DisabledAceSocialist@hexbear.net 7 points 1 week ago (1 children)

Hope the healing goes well and is fast. cuddle

[–] gingerbrat@hexbear.net 7 points 1 week ago (1 children)

Thank you love, I appreciate you cuddle

The feeling is mutual! meow-hug

[–] roux@hexbear.net 12 points 1 week ago (1 children)

I'm just gonna go live in an anarchist commune.

I've basically had free reign to contribute to this group I am organizing with these last 2 days and it's felt so meaningful and impactful. I'm working on a website for a food co-op we are starting, and also working on helping set up a sponsored free breakfast program and it's been so rewarding. I feel like I'm being seen for my skills I'm able to contribute and also being treated as a human. They are giving me feedback and actual meaningful praise that doesn't feel like corpo jargon bullshit. I really hope this co-op takes off and we can create enough surplus that I can possibly quit my job and work for this full time. I'm not sure how NGO's and non-profits manage all that. I might bring it up in our meeting tomorrow evening.

In any case, these last 2 days have been amazing for my mental health and now I gotta go back to my regular job. I'm trying to stay positive about it though.

[–] gingerbrat@hexbear.net 7 points 1 week ago (1 children)

I'm so happy to hear that! You finally got to do something actually meaningful, this is such big and beautiful news Care-Comrade

(P.S.: Also, if you can, take me with you, I wanna help too.)

[–] roux@hexbear.net 6 points 6 days ago (2 children)

If the empire falls, I'm scooping up all the leftists and we are gonna build a place we can all live and thrive together.

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[–] TheSpectreOfGay@hexbear.net 12 points 1 week ago (4 children)

i do not like that unemployment has become a meme thing to make fun of people for lately catgirl-flop

[–] mendiCAN@hexbear.net 4 points 6 days ago (1 children)

where? i ain't seen it but i admit i deliberately avoid most media social n otherwise

[–] TheSpectreOfGay@hexbear.net 5 points 6 days ago (1 children)

i see it pretty much everywhere, but especially in youtube comments

[–] gingerbrat@hexbear.net 5 points 6 days ago

Now that you mention it, I've seen that too, it's been cropping up very recently. I don't get it, tbh, but then again, punching down is easy, so of course people hop on.

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[–] gingerbrat@hexbear.net 10 points 1 week ago (4 children)

I wanted to say that all your kind comments as well as the conversations with all of you really picked up my spirits these last few days. I'm usually a very negative person when it comes down to me, and I tend to lash out at people around me when I'm feeling scared or in pain, often in immensely cruel ways. I had such a moment just this week, and was thinking of how I'm no better than my mother, but then you lot chimed in and really changed my perspective. I'm grateful to all of you, those who needed help as much as those who gave it. I'm just as conflicted as everybody else, I have my horrible moments, but I can also be a good person. So, ahm, thanks comrades, for making me feel human again. meow-hug

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[–] DisabledAceSocialist@hexbear.net 10 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago) (3 children)

I am so sick of having to deal with prescriptions. This month there were more issues. I got my script and struggled to even find a pharmacy that could fulfil it. It took days to find a pharmacy that had the exact thyroid and cancer meds that I need. And it was a pharmacy further away than usual, my landlady drove me there to get it but it pissed her off that she had to help me with yet another thing. Another bother is that i asked the GP surgery - even wrote them a letter asking - that they put my thyroid and cancer meds on a separate script from the other items. But they ignored this and put all the items together. The pharmacy didn't have the other items in stock. This means we have to go back there another day to collect the other things. Why can't the damn GP surgery just do as I ask for once?

And I'm struggling to stay in laundry disinfectant. Because I'm immunocompromised and riddled with infections, I have to wash my laundry in medical grade disinfectant. My skin infections are so bad and so persistent that I've been hospitalised because of them on multiple occasions and of course had multiple surgeries on my foot infections. The laundry disinfectant helps a lot. But it's not provided on the NHS, that's another thing I have to pay for myself. No money of course. I've made about 3 mutual aid posts and two lemmy posts asking for help with this.

And my period has started just 2 weeks after the last one.

I'm so tired, why does everything always have to be a struggle?

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[–] un_mask_me@hexbear.net 10 points 1 week ago (2 children)

Might be a bit redundant, but, as we head into the weekend again I want you all to remember that you matter, you are loved, and you belong! Thank you for being such an awesome community and always lovin on one another; it's lovely to witness. Ya'll inspire this awkward gremlin on the other side of the screen. Care-Comrade

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[–] Edie@hexbear.net 9 points 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago) (12 children)

The disabled comm could maybe use some new mods. Only roux and AshenWolf have posted lately (both 2 days ago). khizuo posted 24 days ago, hexbee 1 month ago, and ReadFanon 4 months ago (and Ivysaur is a deleted account). Some of them may be online, just not posting. But if they aren't, we will be down to only Roux once AshenWolf leaves.

[–] Bruja@hexbear.net 8 points 2 weeks ago

Taking a couple ideas from the trans comm could be beneficial, already copied the fortnightly posting of em_poc mega.

  • Modding more people to distribute load since neurospicy people burnout faster.
  • Sign-ups for megas so people who anticipate having spoons can volunteer, also since scheduling and deadlines can help some neurospicy conditions.
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[–] un_mask_me@hexbear.net 9 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago) (3 children)

I've been reporting companies to the Powers That Be for discriminatory practices during interviews that violate the Civil Rights Act and ADEA and actually had some success in having them investigated with their posts flagged/removed on online job boards. Small victories. comrade-doggo

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[–] dustbunnies@hexbear.net 9 points 1 week ago (6 children)

gingerbrat has taken up the mantle of being a super-supporter of everyone, and that gives me peace ❤️❤️❤️

🫂 thank you for being the kind light that everyone needs meow-hug

I'm sorry I'm not here to echo that kindness constantly, but all of you, please know that I do think of you and do wish endless blessings upon all of you ❤️

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[–] Edie@hexbear.net 8 points 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago) (7 children)

I should be doing chores but I'm completely tired, just laying in bed cuddling blahaj

[–] Edie@hexbear.net 6 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

I did the dishwasher sisyphus

(I was originally going to use a celebration emoji, but I didn't find one when searching :celebrat)

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[–] Keld@hexbear.net 8 points 1 week ago (2 children)

I´m listening back to recordings of my patient interactions for my notes, and wondering aloud why none of my patients have punched me square in the face. My voice is so fucking annoying.

[–] mendiCAN@hexbear.net 8 points 1 week ago (3 children)

we all hate it own voices right? not that they're bad but more that they're wrong. they aren't what we hear normally (from inside our skulls) so the less rich sound throws us off

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[–] gingerbrat@hexbear.net 7 points 1 week ago (1 children)

Did you help your patients as best as you could? Because I'm sure they don't mind the sound of your voice as long as you help them Care-Comrade

[–] Keld@hexbear.net 7 points 1 week ago (1 children)

I like to think I do my best. Although I'm not at a level where I do much besides move people, bring them things, ask questions or get in the way. One of my patients made fun of my accent so they definitely notice.

[–] gingerbrat@hexbear.net 7 points 1 week ago

That's annoying, to say the least. You're working in a non-native language, which means you already do more than most people in their job. That's impressive all on its own. And I too think you're doing your best. Care-Comrade

[–] Keld@hexbear.net 8 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago) (1 children)

sleepy. I would like to be less sleepy. Please fix this.

[–] gingerbrat@hexbear.net 7 points 1 week ago (4 children)

sends you wakey energy Here you go cuddle

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[–] TheSpectreOfGay@hexbear.net 8 points 1 week ago (6 children)

i did something really really hard yesterday, had a meltdown and threw up from the stress, but i did it. and there seems to be this expectation from the people around me, that cos i did it once i can do it again, indefinitely. but it takes me like, a week to recover from this sorta thing, or else i get super burnt out

like in highschool i would throw up from stress every morning and that didn't stop until i started skipping 50% of my classes

i was not built for life i think

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[–] Keld@hexbear.net 8 points 1 week ago (6 children)

One of my neighbours is clearly not well, so she sometimes just screams for several minutes at a time. She sometimes repeats this in intervals over an hour or so. She's not in distress and she neither wants nor needs help. She just screams. It's not that big a deal except when she does it when I'm trying to sleep. She's loud enough that earplugs don't really solve the issue.

I don't really know what to do here. I'm thinking of trying to sound proof my apartment but that feels a bit silly. I could also tell her to duck into her closet when she needs to scream, but I don't know her well.

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[–] keepcarrot@hexbear.net 7 points 1 week ago (1 children)

After quitting this job, I'm not sure what I'm going to do. I definitely don't have 40 hours of anything (except sleep) in me each week, let alone being at a place I hate doing things I don't want to do.

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[–] la_tasalana_intissari_mata@hexbear.net 7 points 1 week ago (4 children)

how can I cope with being hopeless, I don't want to explain my situation, I don't want to be lectured about how I can get out of my situation, I just want to cope without being addicted to some substance.

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