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Am I Disabled?

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Re: Am I Disabled?

#91

Post by aethertron »

Causality1 wrote: post #71

The neurodiversity argument always seems to me a misguided one. It argues that these neurological identities/configurations are not inherent problems but just differences which are only made to have negative effects on the person's life by societal preconception and bigotry. Those things do make it much worse and need to change, but I would argue that doesn't stop these brain-states from being independently troubleso…

Did you know there are folks out here arguing for an even stronger version of this position? The 'social model of disability' is the name for the wider notion that includes the neurodiversity argument/paradigm to which you refer, and applies to all other disabilities. On this view, all the problems you mention are only problems because society doesn't give affected people enough support (ETA; to clarify (or rather, to give my best interpretation of the position I don't actually hold): material support. Not just lack of 'societal preconception and bigotry').

It's an ethical/political (and maybe economic?) position.

Edit: noticed SM is mentioned in the article.

Re: Am I Disabled?

#92

Post by therealx »

I really appreciate this post. I'm reevaulating what it means to be disabled. I still don't know how to answer, as I have learned to manage them very well, but I do still change my life based on it, and more improtantly, I think my life would have been very different without them.

Now that I've added a lower back injury to the list, I think it's tipping toward yes. Does anyone know if you say no on this form and then ask for an accomidation for something, like, say, a chair - is that okay?

Re: Am I Disabled?

#93

Post by justinclift »

jfk13 wrote: post #86
kolinko wrote: post #65

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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".

Oh, definitely "Jedi". ;)

Re: Am I Disabled?

#94

Post by Macha »

In my early teens, I was diagnosed with dyspraxia. I have issues with fine motor control, which mostly affects writing (it's often illegible, and writing for an extended period of time (40 minutes plus) is painful) or actions like cutting up food and depth perception/co-ordination which sometimes ends up with me walking into tables etc. The one accommodation I did accept for it was to type rather than handwrite my college exams (pride did not allow me to do so for my end of school exams).

In the software industry, it doesn't really affect me, apart from occasional embarrassment at a team dinner where an attempt to cut up food results in some going astray, and I consider myself lucky as most people with dyspraxia (I can't remember the exact number currently, but like 70%) also have to deal with dyslexia, something I do not have. I take notes on vim in my laptop rather than on paper like most of my colleagues so that I can definitely read them when I no longer remember them, and shrug off the occasional dropped item or overestimated doorway as clumsiness.

Consequently, most of the time, despite having an actual diagnosis, I answer "no" to this question most of the time. Like the author, the conversation of "but you don't seem disabled" is one I usually wish to avoid, and when you start saying dys- people automatically fill in dyslexia and ignore what you actually said.

Re: Am I Disabled?

#95

Post by bserge »

nvarsj wrote: 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.

It's not any easier in the rest of Europe.

And I have to add, it's many times harder if you're a foreigner.

Re: Am I Disabled?

#96

Post by majewsky »

rurban wrote: post #80
dagmx wrote: post #27

Earlier quoted context omitted.

As a current epileptic (spinal injury, recovered partial paralysis) I still have to deal with the fact that I'm in fact, disabled. Working at a FAANG in silicon valley really highlights that. My commute is 4 hours a day because I have to take public transit, and working late hours is a bigger burden than unaffected people in similar life situations. I'm completely dependent on others to take me places, even for groce…

Why don't you just live in the parking lot? 4 hours is insane

I know you're probably suggesting this in good faith, but this being among the first solutions to be suggested might be one of the most Silicon-Valley things I've ever seen.

Re: Am I Disabled?

#97

Post by bserge »

kube-system wrote: post #10

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 :/

Re: Am I Disabled?

#98

Post by bserge »

callinOutLiars wrote: post #15

It seems society sucks at helping cripples. I’m in constant pain while walking, but while wearing shoes (covering up the noticeable deformation) I have been yelled at many times for parking in handicap spaces. I have had people and family tell me it is no big deal and I need to deal with it (if you can walk, but still crippled no one actually considers you crippled).

> people and family tell me it is no big deal and I need to deal with it

How do you deal with them after hearing something like this? The resentment and/or feelings of guilt are too much...

Re: Am I Disabled?

#99

Post by varispeed »

Beautiful essay. I know I am on autistic spectrum, but I decided to not get officially diagnosed because of the issues mentioned in the article. I fear that if I disclose autism I will limit my chances at getting jobs. I could imagine someone would have reservations putting "mentally challenged" person in charge of their data or infrastructure, despite my impeccable track record.

Re: Am I Disabled?

#100

Post by wccrawford »

kolinko wrote: 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…

Or if they are but don't like having it pointed out, they feel angry and sad and ashamed, and you've made their day worse by once again making assumptions about them.
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