My disability
I was born with cerebral palsy which caused me inability to walk and general muscle weakness. I got my first electric wheelchair when i was 4. When i became adult, i developed osteoarthritis and osteoporosis as my bones and joints didn't get enough exercise as i couldn't walk.
I have got a caregiver who cares for me, helps me transferring from bed to electric wheelchair and from electric wheelchair to bed, dressing, cleaning, personal hygiene (transferring from electric wheelchair to toilet or to bath, etc), cooking, bringing heavy groceries home from supermarket, reaching high shelves in supermarket, etc. I also need a lot of rest as i haven't got as much energy as other people around me have. I do everything more slowly than expected from many people around me.
@gentleSun78 When I was younger I had a friend with cerebral palsy. What I saw of her disability was pretty much what you described. She lived with her parents and they did all of those things for her, bath her, transfer her from bed to wheelchair or wheelchair to car. I'm sure that it is hard to have to depend on other people for what most of us take for granted and it must feel like it is not fair.
@adventurousBranch3786
Yes, it can be very hard if you are dependent on others for things other people take for granted. But i accepted myself as i am and i no longer feel any hardship when someone needs to help me. I am very happy, glad and thankful that i have got so much help and care. Positive affirmations, positive self talk and gratitude helped me a lot in accepting myself as i am.
@gentleSun78 I am glad to hear that positive affirmations and gratitude are helping you. Those things are helping me to accept the things that I can't do due to disabilty also.
@adventurousBranch3786
It is awesome. Do you feel comfortable telling which disability do you have and how do you cope with it?
@gentleSun78 Hi I have osteoporosis and osteoarthritis also. I also have heart disease. My disabilty is hard for me to talk about because it has a lot of stigma attached to it. I have chronic fatigue syndrome and dysautomia. I am very tired most of the time. I can only do mild intermittant activity with frequent rest periods. Any prolonged activity causes debilitating fatigue,generalized weakness and sometimes confusion. I cope with it physically by pacing and restricting my activities. If I have to walk a long distance like at the grocery store I use the electric cart. Taking a shower leaves me exhausted so I wash a little bit a time each day. I also get dizzy spells for which I lay down in bed. About ten years ago I got depressed due to the illness so I did start taking a medication which helps me cope a lot mentally. Coming here also helps. I am also listening to positive affirmations and gratitude videos.
@adventurousBranch3786 thanks for your answer and trust. I appreciate your positive approach to coping with your disability. Which of the disabilities you have got is attached with strong stigma? Do you feel comfortable writing something about this stigma?
@gentleSun78 Hi It is the chronic fatigue syndrome that has the strong stigma. Many people do not believe that It is a real illness/disability. I have been given a hard time about it,so I just don't talk about it very often anymore.
@adventurousBranch3786 Sorry to hear it. It must be very tough for you.
@gentleSun78 Thank you , I don't get to talk about this subject often.
@gentleSun78 Hi was feeling a little down yesterday about feeling so tired and worn out after doing very light activity that would not affect other people so much. Sometimes it gets to me. But fortunately I'm in much better spirits today.
@adventurousBranch3786 Thanks for sharing. Thanks for opening up. You did an amazing job.
@gentleSun78 Thanks for opening up about your disability. I know it is hard sometimes to talk about it. But you did an amazing job.
I have a learning disability and I also have some CP as well.
I walk with a cane do to having foot operation,a few years back.
I use it for balance.
My coordination at times is not good.
I do not drive.