Anyone with handicaps, disabilities, or special medical needs?

[Karkat]

I remember back around when I first joined, someone wanted to make this a section, and Mike suggested making a thread, but no one ever did.

So why the hell not, eh? ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Here's basically what qualifies here:

-A congenital condition (meaning from birth), like a congenital heart disorder
-Anything that significantly impairs your ability to function (Mental illness, neurological condition, metabolic condition [diabetes, etc.], and so on)
-Food or drug allergies
-If you're on medication long-term for an illness
-Anything requiring a doctor's permission to skip class, etc. on a consistent basis
-Having to take extra precautions for your health unrelated to common sense measures (I.e. Healthy eating does not count here.)

What doesn't qualify:
-Seasonal illness
-Broken bones/minor injuries
-Self-inflicted malaise (Being too tired because you stay up late every night [unless it's caused by an illness], etc. Basically, if it was choice-induced and not as a result of illness.)


The questions:
-How does being disabled (etc.) affect you?
-How does it make your life different?
-What frustrates you most about your disability?
-What do you wish people understood about what you have to face?

---

My answers:
-How does being disabled (etc.) affect you?

It has pretty much doomed my education, it has made my secular life hell, it has made my personal relationships hard to keep up, it has made me want to give up hope more times than I can count, and generally ruled my life. It's also really hard for me to be or feel like an adult with the way I am. I'm just like an oversized manchild.

-How does it make your life different?

It extremely hinders me from functioning like a normal human being. At al.

-What frustrates you most about your disability?

The fact that it will never go away completely, and it's hard for people to get close to me and understand me. I'm pretty much all alone in life.

-What do you wish people understood about what you have to face?

It's a hell of a lot harder than what they think. I feel so weak, so worthless... All the time. I don't need it rubbed in my face. That's never going to help.

[xXl0sth0peXx]

I could answer this with mental illness, but we all know how mental illness affects, and how much it sucks. So I'll answer it a bit differently.

I have a condition called Reflex Neurovascular Dystrophy. (aka RND, RSD, CRPS, etc.) Basically, it's chronic pain. Basically, when someone touches let's say your shoulder, it's fine. You don't feel pain, it's just a normal thing. But for me, it leads to severe pain. The way my doctor explained it is like this: You have a circuit, and all the electrons travel the circuit until they're told to stop, and then they do. But when there's a malfunction, they don't stop, they just keep going and going. My body doesn't know when to stop the pain signals, so they just keep coming and coming. Sometimes it's because of a touch, other times it's for no reason whatsoever. I'll wake up in pain, it'll develop throughout the day, or it'll be a good day. Some people have pain all over, some have in in just one or two spots, it's different in everyone. Mine's most of my body, but it's the worst in my shoulders, fingers, hands, and hips, but my legs are absolutely affected, but luckily (since I have a job that requires being on my feet all day), it's mild enough that it doesn't get in the way too much.

-How does being disabled (etc.) affect you?

how doesn't it? it sucks to be in pain for no reason. i missed out on having a normal high school experience, i spent time in the hospital, i spend days in bed being unable to move, despite wanting to. i can't write pages of notes or anything without pain. i got shots, injections, and misdiagnoses before actually getting a final diagnosis. i want to cut my joints off most days, they hurt so much. it's the worst thing, and i wouldn't wish in on my worst enemy.

-How does it make your life different?

well, among other things, i have to be careful. if i break a bone or sprain something, i'm at risk for a long recovery, and i always have. everyday, i have to prepare for a random pain flare, because it could happen. sometimes, it's debilitating, other times i can go about my day until i get a chance to relax. i can't give or get hugs the way i'd love to because it just hurts. hands can't be laid on my body, it's so excruciating. it's a complete 360 in life.

-What frustrates you most about your disability?

the lack of cure/treatment. 10 weeks in the hospital trying to treat it failed, no matter how hard i worked at it. sure it's gotten better, but it's also gotten worse. it's unlikely that i'll ever live pain free again. no one understands it though. it's mostly an invisible illness. my shoulders don't look injured, so when you touch it and i scream in pain, you'll think i'm going for attention. it's not the case. it took forever to find a doctor who believed me when i said it hurt and tried to do something. it sucks.

-What do you wish people understood about what you have to face?

just because it's invisible doesn't mean it isn't real. it really hurts and when i ask you to not lay a hand on me or hug me, it's not because i don't like it. i love hugs so much. believe me when i say you don't want this, and that it really hurts.

[Karkat]

I could answer this with mental illness, but we all know how mental illness affects, and how much it sucks. So I'll answer it a bit differently.

I have a condition called Reflex Neurovascular Dystrophy. (aka RND, RSD, CRPS, etc.) Basically, it's chronic pain. Basically, when someone touches let's say your shoulder, it's fine. You don't feel pain, it's just a normal thing. But for me, it leads to severe pain. The way my doctor explained it is like this: You have a circuit, and all the electrons travel the circuit until they're told to stop, and then they do. But when there's a malfunction, they don't stop, they just keep going and going. My body doesn't know when to stop the pain signals, so they just keep coming and coming. Sometimes it's because of a touch, other times it's for no reason whatsoever. I'll wake up in pain, it'll develop throughout the day, or it'll be a good day. Some people have pain all over, some have in in just one or two spots, it's different in everyone. Mine's most of my body, but it's the worst in my shoulders, fingers, hands, and hips, but my legs are absolutely affected, but luckily (since I have a job that requires being on my feet all day), it's mild enough that it doesn't get in the way too much.

-How does being disabled (etc.) affect you?

how doesn't it? it sucks to be in pain for no reason. i missed out on having a normal high school experience, i spent time in the hospital, i spend days in bed being unable to move, despite wanting to. i can't write pages of notes or anything without pain. i got shots, injections, and misdiagnoses before actually getting a final diagnosis. i want to cut my joints off most days, they hurt so much. it's the worst thing, and i wouldn't wish in on my worst enemy.

-How does it make your life different?

well, among other things, i have to be careful. if i break a bone or sprain something, i'm at risk for a long recovery, and i always have. everyday, i have to prepare for a random pain flare, because it could happen. sometimes, it's debilitating, other times i can go about my day until i get a chance to relax. i can't give or get hugs the way i'd love to because it just hurts. hands can't be laid on my body, it's so excruciating. it's a complete 360 in life.

-What frustrates you most about your disability?

the lack of cure/treatment. 10 weeks in the hospital trying to treat it failed, no matter how hard i worked at it. sure it's gotten better, but it's also gotten worse. it's unlikely that i'll ever live pain free again. no one understands it though. it's mostly an invisible illness. my shoulders don't look injured, so when you touch it and i scream in pain, you'll think i'm going for attention. it's not the case. it took forever to find a doctor who believed me when i said it hurt and tried to do something. it sucks.

-What do you wish people understood about what you have to face?

just because it's invisible doesn't mean it isn't real. it really hurts and when i ask you to not lay a hand on me or hug me, it's not because i don't like it. i love hugs so much. believe me when i say you don't want this, and that it really hurts.

Holy cow, I didn't even know that existed :( I have serious problems with my joints, but I can't even IMAGINE what you must go through.

[CosmicNoodle]

Let's just say my emotions don't work, that's an easy way to explain it, that comes with multiple medications and pills they seem to love pumping me full off.

Also, CONSTANT ringing in my ears, 24/7. Forget the name of what causes that.

[Daracon]

Let's just say my emotions don't work, that's an easy way to explain it, that comes with multiple medications and pills they seem to love pumping me full off.

Also, CONSTANT ringing in my ears, 24/7. Forget the name of what causes that.

I think it is called Tinnitus? I don't know if this is considered a disability but I have Asthma. I always had trouble catching my breath after simple physical activities, I had to go to the emergency room a couple of times because I had a hard time breathing. But it is not so bad, especially compared to what you guys have, I feel like I can't complain when others have it wayyy worse, especially in the lung department.

[Karkat]

I think it is called Tinnitus? I don't know if this is considered a disability but I have Asthma. I always had trouble catching my breath after simple physical activities, I had to go to the emergency room a couple of times because I had a hard time breathing. But it is not so bad, especially compared to what you guys have, I feel like I can't complain when others have it wayyy worse, especially in the lung department.

I'm asthmatic too, and it's no walk in the park. I feel for ya.

[Babs]

Does epilepsy count? According to the internet it's a disability.
-How does being disabled (etc.) affect you?
Not as horribly as full seizures might. I have complex partial seizures which don't affect the entire brain, but part of it. The seizure itself doesn't hurt me, but if I get them while crossing the street or while driving, I'm fucked unless I have someone with me. For example, I'll have a seizure while cooking or something and when I snap out of it, I realize I've burned my hand or something and I can't even remember how, when and how long I was touching something hot.
It also sort of makes people pissed off at me, I guess, even though I can't help it. It happened while I was walking along the side of the road (luckily my sister was there) and a driver ended up cursing me out.

-How does it make your life different?
I have to be extremely cautious. I'm not driving yet and I scarcely go out alone because I'm currently without medication.

-What frustrates you most about your disability?
Everything about it. How disoriented I feel. That I have no memory during the seizures. That I have no idea how much time has passed after it's ended (it feels like hours sometimes, but it's likely no more than a few minutes) and the injuries from being unconscious.

-What do you wish people understood about what you have to face?
That it's not fucking funny. Stop fucking laughing at me when I make a funny face or hum something while having a fucking seizure.

[Karkat]

Does epilepsy count? According to the internet it's a disability.
-How does being disabled (etc.) affect you?
Not as horribly as full seizures might. I have complex partial seizures which don't affect the entire brain, but part of it. The seizure itself doesn't hurt me, but if I get them while crossing the street or while driving, I'm fucked unless I have someone with me. For example, I'll have a seizure while cooking or something and when I snap out of it, I realize I've burned my hand or something and I can't even remember how, when and how long I was touching something hot.
It also sort of makes people pissed off at me, I guess, even though I can't help it. It happened while I was walking along the side of the road (luckily my sister was there) and a driver ended up cursing me out.

-How does it make your life different?
I have to be extremely cautious. I'm not driving yet and I scarcely go out alone because I'm currently without medication.

-What frustrates you most about your disability?
Everything about it. How disoriented I feel. That I have no memory during the seizures. That I have no idea how much time has passed after it's ended (it feels like hours sometimes, but it's likely no more than a few minutes) and the injuries from being unconscious.

-What do you wish people understood about what you have to face?
That it's not fucking funny. Stop fucking laughing at me when I make a funny face or hum something while having a fucking seizure.

Absolutely counts. I might be narcoleptic, actually. I have small seizures, and my mom has terrible ones that land her in the hospital sometimes :(

I hate that people think seizures are a joke. I think sometimes it's a jerk-reaction because they don't know what to do- which doesn't excuse it, but that's better than being an asshole

[Babs]

Absolutely counts. I might be narcoleptic, actually. I have small seizures, and my mom has terrible ones that land her in the hospital sometimes :(

I hate that people think seizures are a joke. I think sometimes it's a jerk-reaction because they don't know what to do- which doesn't excuse it, but that's better than being an asshole

Oh dear! That sucks. :(

Also, the person who mainly laughs at it is my sister. It's been happening as long as I can remember, she knows exactly what to do, which is just to keep me away from knives or fire for a brief period, but she sort of takes advantage of my being unconscious and claps my hands together and things like that. She's just kind of an asshole.

[davidsp]

I think this counts but I, and my little brothers too, have enuresis. My dad had the problem too so he says it runs in families. Dad said it went away around 14 or 15 for him.

I hate hate hate hate it!! It's soo embarrassing to talk about. Even on here.

-How does being disabled (etc.) affect you? It's just really embarrassing. but I guess most people don't know.
-How does it make your life different? I get teased if friends find out. It's really embarrassing and a hassle to wear pull ups every night and clean up in the morning. Sometimes I have even wet myself if I get really surprised or laughing too hard. :( It is a real problem for sleep overs and camping with scouts.
-What frustrates you most about your disability? What I said above and feeling like a baby cos of it.
-What do you wish people understood about what you have to face? That it's really nothing I can help and it doesn't mean I'm a baby. And please don't call them diapers.

I can't wait till it goes away. I hope it happens sooner than it did for dad. I'm just sick of it. I also feel bad I guess cos lots of people on here have other things that won't be getting better or going away.

[Karkat]

Oh dear! That sucks. :(

Also, the person who mainly laughs at it is my sister. It's been happening as long as I can remember, she knows exactly what to do, which is just to keep me away from knives or fire for a brief period, but she sort of takes advantage of my being unconscious and claps my hands together and things like that. She's just kind of an asshole.

How mean! :mad:

I think this counts but I, and my little brothers too, have enuresis. My dad had the problem too so he says it runs in families. Dad said it went away around 14 or 15 for him.

I hate hate hate hate it!! It's soo embarrassing to talk about. Even on here.

-How does being disabled (etc.) affect you? It's just really embarrassing. but I guess most people don't know.
-How does it make your life different? I get teased if friends find out. It's really embarrassing and a hassle to wear pull ups every night and clean up in the morning. Sometimes I have even wet myself if I get really surprised or laughing too hard. :( It is a real problem for sleep overs and camping with scouts.
-What frustrates you most about your disability? What I said above and feeling like a baby cos of it.
-What do you wish people understood about what you have to face? That it's really nothing I can help and it doesn't mean I'm a baby. And please don't call them diapers.

I can't wait till it goes away. I hope it happens sooner than it did for dad. I'm just sick of it. I also feel bad I guess cos lots of people on here have other things that won't be getting better or going away.

Ah yeah, while I don't have that, what I do have (possibly autism-related?) is neurogenic bladder... I can't tell when to 'go'. I used to wet myself when laughing/etc. all the time, and I was so ashamed of myself.

[queenofcontrariety]

I was diagnosed with dysgraphia when I was little and my parents never told me. The only way I found out was my 6th grade teacher let it slip after I freaked out over a writing assignment and was in tears.

Dysgraphia is a difficulty writing because of brain injury and it's sort of the inverse of dyslexia. Like I'd forget entire words while writing because my brain goes faster than my motor skills. I went for pt during school when I was little and still have serious writing anxiety. It's kinda funny considering I'm in AP English now, but I still freak out when my teacher tries to fix like the core of how I write. I mean I'm pretty solid now it's just the residual issues with confidence in my writing. I also tend to flip back and forth between print and cursive but that seems somewhat normal.

[Owen727]

I think this counts but I, and my little brothers too, have enuresis. My dad had the problem too so he says it runs in families. Dad said it went away around 14 or 15 for him.

I hate hate hate hate it!! It's soo embarrassing to talk about. Even on here.

-How does being disabled (etc.) affect you? It's just really embarrassing. but I guess most people don't know.
-How does it make your life different? I get teased if friends find out. It's really embarrassing and a hassle to wear pull ups every night and clean up in the morning. Sometimes I have even wet myself if I get really surprised or laughing too hard. :( It is a real problem for sleep overs and camping with scouts.
-What frustrates you most about your disability? What I said above and feeling like a baby cos of it.
-What do you wish people understood about what you have to face? That it's really nothing I can help and it doesn't mean I'm a baby. And please don't call them diapers.

I can't wait till it goes away. I hope it happens sooner than it did for dad. I'm just sick of it. I also feel bad I guess cos lots of people on here have other things that won't be getting better or going away.

Sorry to hear that man! it'll get better i am sure, and don't worry about what other people think. everyones got their own problems!

[Luminous]

I think this counts but I, and my little brothers too, have enuresis. My dad had the problem too so he says it runs in families. Dad said it went away around 14 or 15 for him.

I hate hate hate hate it!! It's soo embarrassing to talk about. Even on here.

-How does being disabled (etc.) affect you? It's just really embarrassing. but I guess most people don't know.
-How does it make your life different? I get teased if friends find out. It's really embarrassing and a hassle to wear pull ups every night and clean up in the morning. Sometimes I have even wet myself if I get really surprised or laughing too hard. :( It is a real problem for sleep overs and camping with scouts.
-What frustrates you most about your disability? What I said above and feeling like a baby cos of it.
-What do you wish people understood about what you have to face? That it's really nothing I can help and it doesn't mean I'm a baby. And please don't call them diapers.

I can't wait till it goes away. I hope it happens sooner than it did for dad. I'm just sick of it. I also feel bad I guess cos lots of people on here have other things that won't be getting better or going away.
Wait... this is a real thing? I wet myself when I laugh and sometimes with too much physical movement like running or jumping jacks. I use the bathroom more often than I need to because I'm scared of wetting myself but it happens anyways, nearly every day sometimes. I thought I just had horrible bladder control.

Besides the mental illness part which I don't want to go into, I don't really have any disabilities except for acid reflux if that counts at all which isn't bad.

[davidsp]

Sorry to hear that man! it'll get better i am sure, and don't worry about what other people think. everyones got their own problems!
Thanks, bro. :) I know everyone's got there own problems but I get really scared of getting teased for mine. If guys at school found out I would never live it down. I can't imagine the nicknames they would come up with for me. Well, I CAN imagine, and it ain't pretty. :(

[Karkat]

Wait... this is a real thing? I wet myself when I laugh and sometimes with too much physical movement like running or jumping jacks. I use the bathroom more often than I need to because I'm scared of wetting myself but it happens anyways, nearly every day sometimes. I thought I just had horrible bladder control.

Besides the mental illness part which I don't want to go into, I don't really have any disabilities except for acid reflux if that counts at all which isn't bad.

That's a lot the way I am/was

It got better with time, so maybe when you get older it'll get a little better for you.

Yeah, I have bad acid reflux/general stomach problems as well. I'd say it counts.

[eli_w]

Also, CONSTANT ringing in my ears, 24/7. Forget the name of what causes that.

As a musician/guy that wants to build a career off of music, tinnitus is my #1 fear haha, mostly just caused by hearing impairment from loud sounds for long periods of time. Sometimes it's just an age/genetics thing though

[Leprous]

Not sure if this counts but having severe allergies to grass, certain bushes we have at our home, but also types of metal. All these cause extreme rash and itching. I'm also allergic to meds I got to make the rash go away, and believe it or not, the pills gave me more rash.

[Karkat]

Not sure if this counts but having severe allergies to grass, certain bushes we have at our home, but also types of metal. All these cause extreme rash and itching. I'm also allergic to meds I got to make the rash go away, and believe it or not, the pills gave me more rash.

Ugh, that sucks so much. Sulfa drugs do that to me, and I have seasonal allergies, but most of them aren't too bad.

[Leprous]

Ugh, that sucks so much. Sulfa drugs do that to me, and I have seasonal allergies, but most of them aren't too bad.

Mine are actually pretty bad, I'm kinda used to it by now though, but yeah, not fun.