r/disability

I have ME/CFS so I've seen it in groups a lot, people using it to put their thoughts into text when they struggle with brainfog and have little energy. While I generally oppose generative AI for ethical reasons, I can understand that when they're struggling it can become a good aid. But with the recent studies that show frequent genAI use atrophies the brain, and with how easy it is to outsource all your thinking to it to the point abled people fall into the trap, I genuinely worry it might do actual damage.

When everything feels exhausting, having the genAI do all the thinking for you is easy, so you let it do more and more, and you no longer use your brain as much. When you don't use your brain as much, thinking becomes more exhausting and difficult, it's like a skill you have to practice or else you get worse at it. Which would make it seem like their brainfog is getting worse, when really they just aren't engaging their brain enough anymore and making it harder for themselves. I think this could lead to them being in a far worse condition after relying on genAI than what they started out with, and I'm genuinely worried about it because ME/CFS is already a difficult condition to live with.

Got my disability 5 years ago . Already Trial to work period during my wait time of the application

W

Recently got a full time job I enjoyed . But the pay is going to be over 2000 per month .which means I am going to lose my disability . Is it worth it ?

Today I parallel parked a manual car on a hill. One hand. First try. No one was there to witness it and honestly that made me celebrate harder.

I know it's not climbing Everest. But there's something about doing the "impossible" thing on a random Tuesday that hits different. The small wins are the ones I collect now.

What's your latest ridiculous victory? Big or small, drop it below. We deserve to hype each other up!

My mother is getting a total shoulder replacement and is rather big chested, and she wants to get a bra that is easy to put on with one hand and only uses one shoulder for support. She is also considering just using a shirt to cover things. Any tips? Note: I did get permission from my mother to post on her behalf.

I am pretty close to finishing up the exhibits and labeling my evidence for the judge at an ALJ hearing for disability. I am hoping to sum it up to like a note card with an algebra formula or "Theory of Disability" that is then supported by all the evidence. What did it look like for you or an attorney when they presented it at your hearing in order to prove that you couldn't work in an ALJ hearing? Did you have a concise "Theory of Disability" that you could use?

I (28F) am really excited because I’m learning to live independently so that I can move to my dream town in Michigan. I have level 2 Autism, PTSD, and severe depression. After I was hit by a semi truck in 2021, my life was set back a lot. Before I could work full time hours, but now I struggle working 24 hours a week because I get tired easily. I started my own Etsy business to make some extra money.

Even a year ago I couldn’t figure out how to do laundry because I thought it was too complicated. Now I have visuals to help me figure out how to sort things. I’ve been doing my own laundry for 6 months now.

My parents helped me figure out a budget so that I can have spending money, gas money, and some money saved. I’ve been sticking to my budget and saving money.

Before I didn’t take good care of my teeth because I didn’t like the way toothpaste tastes, but my dentist gave me some toothpaste that doesn’t taste like anything.

I used to have trouble holding a job, but I’ve been at this job for a year and I’m sticking to it.

My mom told me that I’m on the path to independence and that she is really proud of me. I’m not sure if I’ll ever be able to figure out taxes or paying bills. I could probably get help for that.

All of this may sound very simple living for some of you, but being able to do all of this stuff is a huge milestone for me.

hi, I’m 20 year old guy with muscular atrophy or dystrophy i don’t know the correct term.

So I had a situation with some friends recently. They asked me to find a game we could all play together. I did that and followed up a few times, but didn’t get responses, and later saw them playing together without me. It made me feel left out, especially because I was looking forward to it.

I talked to another friend about how I felt. They responded in a practical way, saying situations like this are normal, and that I should either speak up directly or not let it affect me so much. They also suggested separating emotional reactions from other factors and focusing on what I can control.

From my side, I think part of why this affected me more is my situation. I have ongoing physical limitations and pain, and I spend most of my time on my phone or laptop. So social interactions like gaming mean more to me, since I don’t have many alternatives for distraction or activity.

I also tend to avoid arguments because I don’t feel they lead to real change and often just make things worse. At the same time, I recognize that I struggle with emotional intensity, and sometimes it feels overwhelming even when I logically understand the situation.

I don’t think anyone involved is a bad person, but I’m trying to understand how to handle situations like this better especially when something small ends up feeling much bigger due to my circumstances.

I know people will say that young people are too glued to their screens and get "brainrot" and consume "AI slop." I get those criticisms. However, I'm asking a deeper question: do people with disabilities, such as me, get lost and immersed in such activities in order to get away from problems and have a moment of peace and tranquility? Some people will say that this type of coping mechanism is wrong and perhaps delusional, but I don't think it's wrong to play a video game or daydream while listening to music in response to suffering discrimination or a failure in an endeavor. Obviously, if such activities cost too much money, take up too much time, take up too much space, or otherwise harm a person, then they become invalid and wrong.

I guess what I'm trying to say is that for a person with a disability, or someone going through a difficult experience, it's natural and understandable to want to be able to deal with the resulting psychological trauma in a subtle, peaceful way. Can anyone else relate to this?

Flying for the first time since my health has continued to decline (Dysautonomia, hypermobility, & ME/cfs are by far the worst culprits..)

What are your go-to‘s to manage before, during, after long-flights? There will also be a time difference of 7 hrs… 🫠🥴 so also trying to manage jet lag.

I built in a buffer so that I can hopefully recover from travel PEM before the big event, but I’d still like to avoid as much of a crash if possible. As such I’ll also be using the wheelchair service.

Any other tried and true methods to manage pain, exhaustion, & dysautonomia?

And how inaccessible every building is.

I (used to) go to the one in Fargo North Dakota. I will never go to Barnes & Noble again.

The doors are wicked heavy. And open outwards.

They have 0 buttons

There is at least a 1/2 inch lip to the door frame.

Getting in the store requires you to be able to hold the door, break the initial opening of the door, wheel back, while also trying to hold the damn door open, while on an angle. The door becomes way too heavy, you can't approach the door head on because of that, you try to do a wheelie over the lip but you're on an angle. So instead you're now stuck half on half off the door frame. No longer able to hold the door open, stuck between the door and the frame, waiting for someone to help. And then you have to take a break in the entry way because you can't breathe from all that work.

Buttons are not necessary according to the ADA. I just know that nobody in a wheelchair was a part of the building process. Not one elderly person, or low vision people. The lip isn't even marked.

So I thought this would be a Fargo problem. I mean, its North Dakota.

But then I started doing some research.

I have found more stores with this set up than stores that are actually accessible.

I have found 2 stores with automatic doors

Ive been through Minnesota, Illinois, and now Kansas (for some reason). No Buttons. Lips. Heavy doors.

Even stores that have been altered when they move in, no Buttons. No smooth entry thats level with the ground.

I have a plan to go to Fargo and do some measurements.

This is absolute insanity. Even new builds don't have Buttons. Still have heavy wooden doors

How in the hell is this issue approached. How many people are missing out on going to the bookstore because they can't even get in?

At least they all say they're wheelchair accessible on their Google review page

🙄

Hi everyone, I just wanted to ask and learn from your experiences. When applying for a job, have you ever encountered discrimination or rejection because of your disability? If so, how did you deal with it?

I’m also curious about what kind of jobs you are currently working in and how you were able to find roles that suit your needs.

I’m about to graduate with a degree in Psychology, and I plan to take a gap year before reviewing for the board exam. During that time, I want to work so I can save money and gain experience. I have mobility issues, so physically demanding jobs are difficult for me, and I also don’t have prior work experience, which makes me feel a bit anxious about starting.

I would really appreciate any suggestions on the types of jobs that might be suitable especially roles that are less physically demanding or more flexible. Advice on how to handle applications, disclose a disability, or request accommodations would also mean a lot.

I’m trying to become more independent and avoid relying too much on my parents financially, although I know I’m still learning how to navigate all of this.

Thank you so much in advance for your insights and support.

So, I am in Melbourne, Australia. A very special production of Phantom of the Opera, a totally different staging to one done anywhere else, is on in Sydney. I have been looking forward to it for months. Planning my trip and allll the moving parts involved with travelling with a chronic illness (you all know how much harder an otherwise simple trip is for us, in various ways and for various reasons.)

It looked like everything was falling into place for me and I was going to pull it off, but I'm just over a week of flying out and my health is looking like it's not going to happen. It's my all-time favourite musical and this just sucks.

I feel like there's a lot of focus on how those of us with chronic illness miss out on being able to hold a job, or study, but also...like...doing fun things is often off the table as well.

Anyone planned a trip or a show or whatever and then haven't been able to go? I don't know what I'm looking for, I think I'm just venting. If I don't go I'll try to treat myself in some other way (perhaps a local movie or something) but yeahhhh.... :( This was a big deal for me. I had been holding off on telling a friend up there that I was definitely going, as I didn't want to stuff him around, and I was just about to tell him and ask to meet up, too.

Tell me your stories?

So I sent my extension form for disability to my doctor and she filled out everything but a couple of areas like “last seen”, etc. I wasn’t aware of this until I actually went down to the EDD office and asked them why my payments stopped. So they told me they’ll have someone call my doctors office and they’ll send form 2547A. My question is, has anyone ever been in this situation? If so, how long did it take for everything to sort out? I’m scared and nervous because it’s SOOOO hard to get into contact with my doctor and her office. Also too I was told that sometimes offices over look EDD mail. So please, someone give me advice? lol

Hey guys! My name is Mark, and I’m a current student at Harvard with cerebral palsy. I struggled a lot with admin paperwork growing up, and this was a major thing I heard from other individuals w/ disability as well. I'm currently working on a solution that can help solve this through software to reduce the amount of time that is spent drowning in paperwork; however, since everyone's experience is different, we need more info/feedback to continuously improve. I would appreciate any opinions or ideas on what specific area to tackle within disability, and I would love to talk to anyone about their experiences. Our first target has been IEP and 504 plans. I’ve attached my Calendly below. Looking forward to meeting with you! https://calendly.com/markli-college/30min

Currently watching it now. It's going really well. Drew and Fatu are matching up. Waiting to see who wins.

Feel free to share interests!

I have been disabled since October of 2022. I am a resident of Wisconsin and have gone through all of the steps of applying, appealing, all the way up through my case going in front of a judge with a lawyer on my side. The judge ultimately ruled "no" because I hadn't worked enough credits. And I know I applied for SSI and not SSDI. I triple-checked.

I have letters from many medical providers advocating for me to have disability benefits. There was no disagreeance in the court that I heard (I was appearing via phone) that I was disabled. The third-party vocational expert said I would not be able to work any of the jobs she had.

After the judge's rejection of benefits and my lawyer quitting, I applied with DVR to see what kind of jobs I am supposed to "adapt to work" (from one of my rejection letters). The DVR categorized me as Category 1 (the most severely disabled), but said there is a wait-list and no estimation of how long it will be for them to get to me.

Ultimately, I don't know what more I need to do to prove that I'm disabled. Everywhere is agreeing that I'm indisputably disabled and unable to work.

I submitted an entirely new application, since my initial case had nowhere else to go other than sue the state (my lawyer at the time told me that we wouldn't win). I got another denial, but with no option to appeal. The letter says that because I am not qualified for disability benefits--due to not working enough credits--they did not make a decision on my case. So I can't appeal if they didn't even make a decision, which I know is administrative BS.

I contacted my local disability resource center and they told me they have one person who can help me apply. This person had also helped me last time. I hate to say this, but she's not very good at her job. She's been ghosting me for 2 weeks at this point, despite saying that she would call me back on Tuesday of last week.

There is a free local legal clinic once a month. I waited in line for 2 hours to get to talk to a lawyer for 5 minutes, who ultimately said that he did not know why I was denied and suggested I call 211, which is insane because 211 suggested the legal clinic.

Idk what to do anymore. I feel trapped in an impossible situation.

Please provide advice, if you can. I would also accept encouragement. I've never felt so defeated while also fighting my own mind and body just to get through another day.

My disabled friend in Atlanta, GA is struggling and I’m reaching out from the west coast feeling a bit helpless.

He’s 58, receives SSDI and is covered by Medicare. He lives alone and doesn’t have anyone in the area to assist him.

He has struggled with depression, anxiety and major chronic pain for decades and is having a hard time keeping up with everything going on in his life right now. He has some new medical issues he’s currently being seen for and does have a car, but because of brain fog and some trouble with his vision, I don’t feel it’s safe for him to be driving himself to appointments at this time.

Unfortunately his doctors have not been coordinating his care effectively and he isn’t getting adequate help with some chronic and new medical issues he’s experiencing. It almost feels like he’s going in and just getting ¯\_(ツ)_/¯.

As you all know, the system is hard enough to navigate for anyone — for him right now, it feels impossible and he feels like he’s drowning.

He is also having a lot of trouble keeping up with things at home — cleaning, laundry, general upkeep — and just feels like he’s drowning.

I’m specifically looking for low-cost or free resources for any of the following:

transportation assistance

advocate to held him navigate health care, and

any home care or housekeeping support available to someone in Atlanta, Georgia.

Even a single resource suggestion or personal recommendation could make a real difference for him. Thank you so much in advance.

Hello again! I'd like to find some thigh high compression socks that feel like non-medical socks and not like pantyhose AND aren't like $100 a pair. I really like sockwell's socks because they feel like SOCKS! I don't have to endure the weird plasticky stretch fabric, which is also pretty impossible for me to comfortably wear with leg hair. I miss wearing thigh-highs, but I have to wear compression, especially as it gets warmer.

I have POTS and day to day usually wear 30-40mmHg or 20-30mmHg knee socks. My symptoms are usually manageable like this, which is good because waist high is not doable for me (the physical experience is unbearable) and thigh highs are very rarely in rotation because I have to completely shave my legs before I can wear them without significant discomfort. There are so many places to look and idk where to start!

Please let me know recommendations for any particular brands (especially links!) that may work. (I do not need general compression garment website recommendations, but youre still welcome to mention them for others who come along).

ty!

Hello everyone!

I'm always talking to my physio therapist during sessions and the topic of working out came up.
My therapist didn't specialise in doing therapy for physically disabled people (and i can't change because no one else is available to me). However, he this "issue" seems to have peaked his interest and since i want to get back into exercising, i'm interested too.

Which is why i ask:
How do you work out as a physically disabled person?
If you've become physically disabled but started out able bodied (like me), what changed?

I'm glad to hear about some general pointers too! I've looked a little bit into Bret Contreras as he did stuff in the past with a person missing their leg (like me). I've also heard about the app AccesserCise, but it doesn't seem to be working.

Edit:
Man, i thought this post got auto deleted! Thank you for your answers so far :D I will read them properly once i got time <3

I’ve been really struggling and feeling stressed at work lately. They keep adding more responsibilities while also getting frustrated with us when patients cancel—as if that’s something we can control. At the same time, they’re taking away our note-writing time and expecting us to somehow find time to complete all of our paperwork.

I had to meet with the regional director yesterday, and it honestly felt like being called into the principal’s office. The focus was on the number of patient cancellations in my schedule, and I was told I need to “fix it.” I’ve yet to find the magic solution that prevents kids from getting sick or ensures that families with financial challenges always have reliable transportation.

On top of that, I have a disability, and the current work environment is taking a real toll on me physically. The stress, lack of support, and constant pressure are increasing my pain and fatigue in a way that feels unsustainable long-term.

This was my dream job. When I was 16, I knew I wanted to be a speech therapist at the same clinic where I received therapy growing up. But now it feels like everything is about numbers and revenue instead of actually helping kids. I leave work feeling completely drained every day—mentally and physically.

Today, I interviewed at a therapist-owned private clinic very close to my house. Everything about it felt right. They share my philosophy on neurodiversity-affirming care, value having time for documentation and parent education, and prioritize continuing education and professional growth. They also pay for scheduled time even if patients cancel and provide mentorship for new hires.

It feels like the difference between two very real choices: staying in a higher-paying position that comes with high stress and expectations that feel impossible to meet, or moving to a lower-paying role that is more aligned with my values and actually sustainable.

The biggest concern is that it would be a significant pay cut for my family. I’m struggling to figure out when a lower stress level is worth tightening our already stretched budget. Because disability isn’t cheap. I’ve paid out of pocket for wheelchairs, car adaptions, home modifications and never feel completely secure in our finances.

I know I haven’t even been offered the job yet, so I may be getting ahead of myself. But I’m wondering—has anyone taken a lower-paying job for the sake of their mental health? Did the financial stress end up replacing the work stress?

Part of me feels like it would be selfish to take a pay cut and reduce the income my family depends on. But at the same time, I worry that staying where I am isn’t sustainable. At the rate I’m going, I could see myself burning out completely or needing to leave the field much earlier than I ever planned.

I’m trying to think long-term—not just about income, but about whether I can realistically continue working, supporting my family, and being present in my life if things stay the way they are now.

I just don’t know how to weigh all of this.