Im Kinda Confused
Hello! I'm Joanne, I'm 15, and I was diagnosed with chronic migrained almost ten months ago. I've had it since I was 12, but it took an unnecessarily long time to get diagnosed.
I've never liked labeling myself as anything, it created unnecessary confusion and stigma for me, but I realise I need to know if this counts as a disability and to know whether I can be labeled as disabled or not.
I know it seems like an easy answer, but every time I look it up it gets more confusing. The internet says it CAN count as a disability but isn't inherently one, which just made me feel... more confused?
I'm on medication and I get migraines around 20 days a month. They're not always that bad but when they are I can't seem to get up from bed and tend to just stay asleep all day. I have a lot of side effects (light/sound/scent sensitivity, dizziness, nausea, random pains in the ear and eye, fatigue, etc) that make it harder for me to live normally. My doctor said I'm at risk of fainting and vomiting but I've never actually fainted in my life and I haven't vomited since I turned 11, I believe. I've had to quit a couple of things I used to like because of my migraines and my migraines haven't been getting better.
I think this counts as a disability but there's still a voice in my head telling me it isn't and that I'm invading disability spaces for no reason. Am I right about this being a disability or..?
Thank you!
@notjoanne
I have an illness that sometimes "counts" and sometimes doesn't because it affect people differently. I am not sure what country you are in or how it works for you in order to get benefits. It can be a long process, unfortunately. I can tell you in my case, they looked at how I was affected by my symptoms. I was evaluated by many doctors. I had to accept that there really was no answer until the case was decided. I was confused until I was awarded benefits. I wish you the best with your situation, and I encourage you to hold on to hope and never stop fighting even if it is confusing. Much love to you. <3
@notjoanne
Everyone is welcome here, by the way. We are glad to have you and support you as you deal with your concerns. Also, I was able to get an accommodation for school, and I have had an accommodation for work also. So, having the diagnosis can help you to get official support for your needs and limitations.
@notjoanne
I have been and am still fighting this notion of disability. I didn't consider it until my uni counted me as a disabled student and I was able to get disabled student support. I had a therapist say I was disabled but I didn't feel it matched to me. I had a doctor mark me as not disabled, but then agreed to the definition of disability. It's really not very clear.
Unfortunately, it's kind of up to you to decide what you consider to be a disability and whether you can identify with that. The label isn't black and white. Heck, I'm sure there's people with missing limbs who don't view themselves as disabled, especially if they have a prosthesis, because they feel it doesn't stop them from living a normal life.
I think if something is impeding on most of your days, stopping you from doing things you enjoy, going to school/work or simply making life harder, it could be seen as a disability. I think it's important to ask yourself how your life would change and what the benefits would be if you did identify as disabled. Ask yourself is it worth adopting this label.
Currently, I identify as someone who has chronic health conditions. I feel that is more accurate and doesn't come with any negative connotations or expectations of people.
@SilentSerenityy
I am glad you are getting the support you need. I would like to live in a world where the word "disability" never had a negative connotation. Why should it? We are the Disability Support Community. I hope to keep this a place where there is no judgment. We are people. Some people live with a disability.
@BlindGrapefruit
I know, it is a shame. After things I've seen online, it makes me scared to even mention my health problems because there's a few that ruin it for everyone else. I would feel that if I told someone I was disabled, they would expect me to beahve a certain way or call me out if I don't act disabled enough 24/7.
@SilentSerenityy
I am sorry to hear you had that experience. It is frustrating when people have expectations and do not have an open mind. I hope that you have many positive experiences in the future.
