Live data from Hacker News

Am I Disabled?

aeon.co

81–90 of 245 posts

Re: Am I Disabled?

#81
"Not really... Maybe... It's classified."

Based on my masochistic choice for projects in past years I think I'll answer "yes" to this question. Something changed in my brain in past years because I started to enjoy projects that are a pain in the proverbial rear while the normal ones just bore me to death. And also pays better.

Re: Am I Disabled?

#82

There are employers are asking this question? What purpose does such a question even serve? Sounds like a lawsuit waiting to happen even to ask.

Lawsuit? Businesses that have contracts with the federal government of the USA are required to ask this question under Section 503.

Re: Am I Disabled?

#83
post #62

What if I wear eyeglasses and have to fork anything from 1% to 10% of my yearly income (in many cases even more, driven up by taxation) just to be able to see properly? It's especially bad if your economies mean you cannot afford to have at least a single backup or have one that is many years old. It affects something so essential, but it's hard for people to recognize it.

Bought my top quality titanium Shiluette "forks" in China for €4 per pair and also bought the repair tools in China for €30. With these low prices there's not even customs tax. I have several backups now. And the quality is even better.

You are doing something wrong.

Re: Am I Disabled?

#84
post #70
post #68

I'm more shocked that the author managed to get a diagnosis on the NHS at the age of 42. In my experience, the NHS won't refer you to a psychologist unless you're on the brink of suicide or complete mental breakdown. It's incredibly tough to get mental help in this country.

Waiting times for ASD assessment services vary, and almost all of them breach the limits, but it's not impossible to get an appointment. Access to IAPT is very good. Latest figures are here: https://digital.nhs.uk/data-and-information/publications/sta... > One of the stated targets of the IAPT programme is that for referrals finishing a course of treatment in the month, 75% enter treatment within 6 weeks, and 95% wit…

Interesting, thanks for the stats. I guess the trick is getting the GP referral in the first place. I am pretty sure as a normal-seeming adult, if I asked for an ASD assessment, my GP would be extremely reluctant. I would have to be very insistent. I'm fairly certain I have Asperger's or some flavor of ASD, and I have found it a real struggle trying to get an actual diagnosis. I even paid for private treatment, but my therapist told me flat out that most psychologists prefer to not label people anymore (unless it substantially impacts their life so they can get disability benefits).

Re: Am I Disabled?

#85
post #68

I'm more shocked that the author managed to get a diagnosis on the NHS at the age of 42. In my experience, the NHS won't refer you to a psychologist unless you're on the brink of suicide or complete mental breakdown. It's incredibly tough to get mental help in this country.

So true. I joked with a friend that the best way of getting access to psychologists in the NHS is to have a TBI or stroke. When it's a "physiological" brain thing they are quick to react. It's a sad state of affairs.

Re: Am I Disabled?

#86
post #65
post #20

Likewise flummoxed by the equivalent “race” question almost always asked on the innumerable forms you’re subjected to in the USA. In the country I was born in there was one correct answer for me (though the question was rarely asked); later that changed. In my mother’s country the legally determined answer is printed on your ID card, which at least removed the need to think about it. In the USA there is a very differ…

I remember Google Campus having a form for filling in before a tech event that was crazy invasive - asked for literally everything: race, gender, sexual orientation, religion and so on.

If there's a write-in option for "race" on these things, I'd recommend putting "human".

Re: Am I Disabled?

#87
post #84
post #70

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Waiting times for ASD assessment services vary, and almost all of them breach the limits, but it's not impossible to get an appointment. Access to IAPT is very good. Latest figures are here: https://digital.nhs.uk/data-and-information/publications/sta... > One of the stated targets of the IAPT programme is that for referrals finishing a course of treatment in the month, 75% enter treatment within 6 weeks, and 95% wit…

Interesting, thanks for the stats. I guess the trick is getting the GP referral in the first place. I am pretty sure as a normal-seeming adult, if I asked for an ASD assessment, my GP would be extremely reluctant. I would have to be very insistent. I'm fairly certain I have Asperger's or some flavor of ASD, and I have found it a real struggle trying to get an actual diagnosis. I even paid for private treatment, but m…

Also you might want to be careful with this; my experience is that once you have any kind of mental record on your file, your GP will try to say every physical problem is all in your head. If there’s no compelling reason to get the diagnosis, sometimes it’s better not to have one.

Re: Am I Disabled?

#88
post #61

Excellent question. As a person with ADHD (but on meds), and a possible CFS, I ask myself this sometimes. While I wouldn't use a disabled parking spot , there are some exceptions from social norms that I allow myself: - segregating trash (keeping an apartament clean and organised is crazy difficult by itself, and I still learn to put things into trash after using, at the age of 36) - getting a sitting space in a crow…

> who doesn't look disabled

My dad said if you were a young man during WW2, walking down the street not in uniform, and did not look disabled, people would spit on you. It was hard on people with invisible disabilities.

Re: Am I Disabled?

#89
post #61

Excellent question. As a person with ADHD (but on meds), and a possible CFS, I ask myself this sometimes. While I wouldn't use a disabled parking spot , there are some exceptions from social norms that I allow myself: - segregating trash (keeping an apartament clean and organised is crazy difficult by itself, and I still learn to put things into trash after using, at the age of 36) - getting a sitting space in a crow…

>segregating trash

Aha, unexpectedly relatable. That's an allowance I give myself as well. I segregate a bit, but give myself a pass after a certain amount, when it makes the difference between living in squalor and not.

Re: Am I Disabled?

#90
post #57

This reminds me abouts Kubecon Europe 2020's survey which had questions like: "what's your race", and "what's your gender". As a European, this was a huge WTF moment (my co-workers had the same moment). Why would you ask something like that ?

My guess is they have to meet some minimum diversity quota among attendees.
Post reply on HN