I wanted to share something positive with my experience regarding disability.
The disability process isn't easy, to put it lightly. It is long, it is stressful, often those who need it are experiencing a level of illness that makes keeping up with jumping through all the hoops downright difficult, if not impossible without additional assistance and/ or legal aid. The struggle doesn't stop just because you get approved.
This last year has been a struggle for me being on disability. I think all of us can probably share in the sentiment that none of us planned on needing to apply for, let alone be receiving disability assistance. The social stigmas attached run deep. At first, I thought I was broken, my sense of self-worth had been completely demolished by the time I was finally approved.
It's challenging - knowing something is needed but wishing it wasn't. It is exhausting coming face to face against the stigmas. The fight doesn't stop with approval.
I have learned disability is not a symbol of inadequacy or lack of worth, if anything to me, it is a symbol of the diversity that exists within humanity - and the differing nature of everyone's needs. Disability helps me meet my needs, it does not limit my worth or do the work for me. It is not a free ticket.
I wanted to share with the group what's given me some peace of mind regarding my disabled status. The above sentiment has revived me in many ways. I never imagined I would still be needing disability now. I thought I would be off of it within 6 months. I thought I could not give back, could not engage, could not participate in my community like I wished as long as I was on disability - not true. My ability to participate in life and my local community has increased since receiving disability. It has not devalued me, but given me an opportunity to exercise my full worth without exhausting my diverse limits. I hope this view might give those who are wavering the courage to move forward in the process, and those on disability the perspective that disability is not a negative, rather an opportunity.