General attitude to lockdown having a negative effect on disabled mental health

[Disillusioned4now]

Apologies posting in AIBU as can’t find the Covid topic.

As a disabled person I am beginning to struggle with the general population (and mumsnet) attitude to lockdown. Whilst I understand that it is a huge adjustment and not a nice experience to have usual life curtailed for so long, it is upsetting to see how difficult people are finding it.

Lockdown has not massively changed my life, although I do seem to have deteriorated, as my illness has meant for years that I am unable to do what I want and leave the house, even when things are open. I am lucky if I am able to have a shower and go for a ten minute walk each day. It is often a real struggle and sometimes I can’t even manage to watch TV so as you can imagine life can be rather dull. I had just started coming to terms with this and learning to appreciate ‘little victories’ but now with lockdown and everyone’s negativity it’s really getting me down. I see people complaining that they are so bored of their local park and going for family walks for an hour every day. I just want you to know that I would kill to be able to do that. I’ve not managed to get to my local park in 5 months now.

I’m not quite sure why I’m posting or what my AIBU is. I understand that this is hard for everyone and people use mumsnet to vent. Maybe it will just remind people to be thankful for what they do have and focus on the positive in difficult times. There’s always somebody worse off. And I know there are people much worse off than me. Let’s all remember to be grateful for what we can do and do have.

Anyone??

I hear what you're saying. I am physically disabled, mostly housebound other than a trip to the surgery once a week on my mobility scooter and life hasn't changed much except not meeting with friends.

However, I live alone, and do think the lives of families have been affected considerably more. Not only do they have to adapt to working from home which can bring it's own problems but at the same time, have to find a way of caring for child/ren if under school age and/or home educating. Two into one won't go and it's usually the woman who is pulled in half trying to do both at once.

I think we will all be pleased when the pandemic has ended. Even if it's just the lack of fear of catching the virus.

I had just started coming to terms with this and learning to appreciate ‘little victories’ but now with lockdown and everyone’s negativity it’s really getting me down. I see people complaining that they are so bored of their local park and going for family walks for an hour every day. I just want you to know that I would kill to be able to do that. I’ve not managed to get to my local park in 5 months now.

I understand where you are coming from, in that part of this is just your normal, but I think what you're seeing is them doing the adapting that you've had to do. I've been relatively fortunate, but it's still been a hell of an adaptation this last year and we need to process it. It doesn't stop me being aware of my friend who hasn't left the house all year, bar hospital visits. I think all we can do is try and find the solidarity in our respective situations, even though they are crap for different reasons and to different degrees.