Tag: Physical Disability

Things that are inaccessible to you if you rely on benefits.

On By Katy DalyIn BlogLeave a comment

Anyone reading this who thinks that people choose to be on benefits can keep their opinion to yourself.

I will probably always rely on benefits, this has something that has taken me a lot of time to come to terms with, and I’m still working on it honestly. I have tried to get a job, but despite my qualifications my disability seems to be a massive barrier that I’m not sure I will ever overcome. Even if I were to get a job there would be certain benefits I would still receive and rely on. But that’s not the point of this post.

I write this post, with a little shame towards the jealousy I feel that fuels it. As I’m unable to get a job, there are many things in life that will remain inaccessible to me.

I will not be able to buy my home.

I will not be able to decorate the home I do have in a way I actually like.

I am unlikely to be able to go on holiday.

Or have any experiences that cost money.

Essentially being unable to work means I will always be on a low income and then have to live by that income.

Though I don’t like it, I understand the economic motivations behind this. The fear would be that if you gave people a comfortable life that they could enjoy on benefits, that no one would want to work. Therefore working is a motivator for a more enjoyable life.

And while I don’t feel that this is the case, even if it were true, it doesn’t consider those who are unable to work. Therefore those who are unable to improve there life in any way.

Now don’t get me wrong, my life isn’t bad. And I am relatively comfortable. But I am frustrated by the fact I am stuck in this life and unable to improve it because working is inaccessible to me.

Eating is hard.

On By Katy DalyIn My Disability TruthLeave a comment

There are many reasons eating can be difficult for someone. For me it’s quite clearly the physical aspect of eating.

I have been staring at my burger for several hours now and haven’t eaten it. I will eat it, and I’m already annoyed that it will be cold, and that that’s my fault.

But I cannot muster the strength or focus to eat.

It’s like my brain is ignoring that it needs to happen.

Whatever you manage to acomplish today, I’m proud of toy for it.

I’m not feeling well.

On By Katy DalyIn My Disability TruthLeave a comment

For me feeling ill is a weird one, because it feels like it changes nothing for me and everything for me at the same time.

I don’t feel a lot worse than I normally do, but I’m just ill in ways that are difficult to deal with.

Put it this way, no one talks about incontinence and sickness plans until it’s to late, not even me.

When you think someone should get it and they don’t

On By Katy DalyIn My Disability TruthLeave a comment

I’m incontinent,

If I had to pick a part of my disability that makes me the most uncomfortable, I would say this is it. So for that reason I try to be as open as possible about it, to not let it win.

Now having grown up disabled, this lovely part of our soecity called exclusion, pushes me to be in the same circles as many other disabled people. A lot of people think that this is actually inclusion, but from experience they don’t actually care what disabled children have in common, the fact there disabled is enough. And pushing is together is easier than creating more accessible inclusive spaces where we just get to be, but now I’m getting a little disstracted here.

As a result of this exclusion, I happen to know a lot of disabled people, simply because they are disabled. Now while this can sometimes be useful, as we have a lot of shared experiences, not everything about us or what we believe is the same, simply because we are disabled. So this can make for some interesting friendships to say to least.

Some of these friends are also incontinent, and this is something that I personally am thankful for that we have in common, due to how I still emotionally struggle with my incontience. Anyway, I was with one of my friends the other day, who pointed out that as a result of incontinece there was a certain smell in the area. Now where she this could have come from many people, but I’m pretty sure it was me. Lets just say she wasn’t very nice about it,

I hope the way I’ve explained this makes sense as I’m still pretty upset by it so I may have been vague, let me know if it doesn’t.

What I don’t understand is no matter who was responsible for the smell, why they had to make a big deal about it.

It’s not like anyone is incontinent by choice, or making a smell by choice, and it could just so easily be them. I think that’s the part that really gets me, I’ve known it to be them before and I have never said anything. Normally I don’t care about things like this, but given who they are and the specifics of the issue, there reaction is really bothering me.

I guess just because you have a certain issue, doesn’t mean you will have respect and understanding for people who also have that issue.

Sleeping.

On By Katy DalyIn My Disability Truth, Writing Prompts1 Comment

What are your favorite physical activities or exercises?

I love a good nap, and to be honest I think most people feel the same.

The perk of having a physical disability is that you don’t put the same pressure of physicality on yourself that able bodied people do.

Often I see people push themselves into over exertion, doing something to keep themselves fit, because they think they need to.

I’m not talking about being healthy or doing what you love. Both of these things good things to do and can both involve physical activities. But it’s important to remember that these things mean different things to different people. That physical activity looks different for everyone.

Picking up a cup to drink a coffee it’s still physical act, and yes I’m saying that as a reminder to myself to drink the coffee next to me now. But don’t let anyone make you feel bad if this is all physical activity you can manage or even that you want to do.

It’s your life you’re living, not anyone else’s.