This blog post is different from what I normally post. This is just a free form write up on how having multiple disabilities affects my life. Having a disability means fighting everyday to prove why you’re worthy of receiving services. Having a disability means fighting insurance, social security, and medicaid to prove why you need services. Having a disability means having to explain what it is, what it means to you, and how it affects your life. Having a disability is answering the same questions over and over again. Having a disability means I may get judged just for having autism. Having a disability means I have to protect my health especially in the season of COVID-19. Having a disability is deciding whether or not to disclose your disability to a friend or not. Having a disability is deciding whether or not to disclose a disability on a job interview. Having a disability is deciding when I need to mask my autism and when I don't. Having a disability means when I mask my autism I pay for it later. Having a disability means the employer can decide to pay me less or to not interview me at all based on my application. Having a disability is worry about if I’ll secure housing when I’m older. Having a disability is worrying about if I’ll be able to provide for myself when I’m older. Having a disability means having an ABLE account. Having a disability means signing over power of attorney at age 18. Having a disability means my parents have to sit in on IEP meetings through kindergarten to twelfth grade. Having a disability specifically autism is having scripted language so you don’t stumble on words when I speak. Having a disability specifically autism means I prefer to have text communication over spoken communication. Having a disability specifically autism means social communication is exhausting for me. Having a disability specifically autism means having backup communication like text to speech in case of a meltdown or medical emergency where I’m unable to speak. Having a disability means I’m unable to drive long distances. Having a disability means time flies by or it goes super slow. Having a disability means I be hyperfocused on a task for a long period of time. This blog is also posted on Photography through Autism Blog.
2 Comments
10/10/2023 03:51:21 am
Thank you for sharing. It is very informative and helpful.
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Emman
5/28/2024 09:04:12 pm
I’ve seen firsthand how challenging it can be to navigate the complexities of insurance and social services. It’s tough constantly having to prove your needs.
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