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Am I Disabled?

aeon.co

101–110 of 245 posts

Re: Am I Disabled?

#101

Why does the first world have the smallest of problems? Everytime i open social media someone has some disease I have never heard of but when googled has the same symptoms of a basic cough. lol. You should come to India. People here are quite chilled out when it comes to physical or mental problems. They dont see a form and go well. This hurts my feelings

Yeah, and depressed/inattentive Indians are just lazy, right? Those who kill themselves were just weak? What about those with heart problems?

But I digress, your problem in this case is that you "open social media" (made up of millions of people worldwide) and seem to compare it against just your own experience. I'm glad you're healthy.

Re: Am I Disabled?

#102

> Do you consider yourself to be a disabled person? > Yes: No: Prefer not to say: ughhhhh.... As a mixed-race ADHDer: Is this box becoming a thing too? I totally get that this is a hard thing to design a database schema for (see https://qntm.org/gay ). Just...oy. This is going to have a UX that reminds me of applying for colleges and trying to figure out if I'm Black or not. We live in a world of trade-offs.

Do you mean the "prefer not to say" box? I'd argue that it should exist for every non-mandatory selection for privacy's sake.

If the question isn't necessary for some reason, it should probably be left off completely, IMO. But I'm assuming they're trying to get stats for something, and some people may be okay with that. But they should still make it obviously optional, which is what that option is for.

Re: Am I Disabled?

#103
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.

You can get referred if you mention that you will seek legal action if they don't comply with your request. It is quite unfortunate, because NHS costs ton of money and they still live off the myth that they are the best thing in the world. If I had not used private specialists I think I would have been dead by now.

Re: Am I Disabled?

#104
To me it's one of those "How heavy is a rock?" questions. In a particular instance, I think anyone can answer it about themselves. But in the abstract, it's a lot harder.

Some people have issues with many or all things, and can easily answer 'yes'. Some people have no real issues and will easily answer 'no'. But there are a ton of people in the middle who have problems with certain situations and it's not an easy answer.

If you could answer "yes" without having to worry about repercussions, I would recommend that anyone unsure just answer that. But sadly, that's not the way the world works.

Re: Am I Disabled?

#105
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…

One time IAPT refused to help me because they believed I will be suicidal if they continue (it makes no sense). I had to pay for private treatment, because they were useless.

Re: Am I Disabled?

#106
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.

You can get help if you start doing subject access requests and hinting at starting legal action due to inadequate help.

Re: Am I Disabled?

#107
Call me pragmatic but I think the answer is simple. If it benefits you to say you are disabled and you have a qualifying disability, medically supported, then say yes, say you are disabled. If it does not benefit you to say you're disabled and the disability is not entirely obvious to others who you don't interact with on a regular basis, then say no. Some might not like it, but if the disability is of the sort that there's some sort of contention on whether to say yes or no, then the line isn't particularly firm.

Re: Am I Disabled?

#108
post #97

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.

They need to know in case they need to make adjustments in the workplace. Or more often, to make sure you don't get hired because you're likely to be more troublesome than healthier candidates :/

This is always hidden behind "cultural fit", if you get refused.

Re: Am I Disabled?

#109
post #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.

It might be that they insisted on lenses. Glasses are a lot more expensive if you opt for the lenses.

Re: Am I Disabled?

#110
The problem is with the word 'disable'. It's the negative form of 'able', and is therefore considered socially to be an inferior condition.

If we had another, standalone, word for people with various conditions and limitations it wouldn't be seen as something to pity, and people would be more open about who they are and what they can and cannot do.

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