I am considered to be ‘disabled‘ (although i don’t like labels being applied to anyone). I qualify from the perspective of having both a physical disability and a mental health condition although i am fully aware that there are numerous other categories which belong under that banner. I am by no means the minority in today’s society.
I have a rare condition whereby the nerves to my spinal cord are deteriorating which causes a multitude of physical symptoms.There is, as yet, no treatment or cure for this but they are hoping to do more research into stem cell transplants sometime in the future. As for my mental health condition, i have BPD (Borderline Personality Disorder) which i intend to write more about in a future blog. Discrimination still goes on and as i quoted in an earlier post, and some people that either haven’t met me aren’t aware of the facts, think that i have a green tail and purple ears! I would much rather be thought of as a ‘normal’ woman with a reasonable amount of intelligence and a wicked sense of humour!
I am an amateur writer although i have had two modest books published thus far thanks to my trusted laptop. Writing is my passion (amongst many topics). I have in the past, written poetry of a very simple kind such as the following three verses:
The prognosis for my disability is pessimistic
The outlook, quite possibly grim
I could weep tears and sink into the pit of depression
Which is always there and waiting to consume me
But I will stand firm, as well as I can on shaky legs
And I will not be defeated; I will not be disheartened
I have come too far on my journey to give up now
I owe it to myself to look to the sun and ignore the clouds
I will greet every day with a smile and try not to frown
I will not give in; I will not surrender my life
For the sake of yet another label that I do not desire
I am who I am and have learned so very much through surviving.
I do obviously get frustrated and cross at times, particularly if i am in a lot of pain physically or struggling mentally, or often in the face of ignorance such as a question being directed at my carer whilst looking over my head and asking the classic phrase “Does she take sugar?”! And yes, when it comes to discrimination such as a few members of my own family and friends who have metaphorically ‘dumped‘ me over the years; and lack of access etc in public areas.
I’ve only just, literally covered the bare bones of this subject from my point of view. I could go on but i will leave you with this image which i like because it completely sums my attitude, ‘except on bad days’! I’d be interested to hear your take on disability, good or bad.
Essentially Ellie 