Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

A pro disabled thread - telling stories of strength

32 replies

Tapofthemorning · 06/03/2025 19:00

Where people don't think everyone is "gaming the system". But a kind place, where people can show their support and acknowledge being disabled - invisible or visible, mental or physical - is tremendously challenging. Where stories of resilience and strength will be told. And trolls ignored. ❤

OP posts:
Wellyoucan · 07/03/2025 08:41

I think the endless benefit bashing and jealous nonsense that’s being posted reflects what we are hearing in papers and from politicians. There’s very little understanding of the actual costs of having a disability or of what NOT providing support might look like.
In real life there are many really kind and helpful people and a fair few arseholes.

Whatafustercluck · 07/03/2025 09:16

Well, I'm unapologetic that I consider my 8yo dd both strong and determined (if not always resilient) and, what's more, I have learned so much from her as a result. The way NT people take things for granted - I've had to think like her and have a much better understanding of, and relationship with, her as a result.

On World Book Day 2 years ago, I was pretending that taking your child to the park in her Harry Potter Onesie was entirely normal. As it was WBD, we fitted in. But in truth, it was the first day in several weeks that I'd managed to get out of the house with her. She was in the midst of school avoidance. She wasn't even able to get dressed, such was the level of shutdown. Some mornings she lay in bed naked, not able to even come down for breakfast. She gave up once loved activities, wasn't able to attend her friends' parties. She was just 6, bless her.

I can't tell you how far she's come and how proud I am of her. We were late for school today due to clothing related issues (numerous and complex in their nature). She slammed her hands on her desk repeatedly and once would have turned that on me. But we've both learned. I retreated calmly, gave her time. We worked together when she was calm, she spoke and I listened, understood. We spoke about reasonable adjustments and 'red lines' (I.e. what she absolutely could not/ would not be able to do, and likewise what I could not/ would not do). 15 minutes later she was dressed, with some adjustments, and happy and ready to go. The concepts of teamwork, negotiation and problem solving do not come easily to her. She's come such a long way and she has my heart and soul.

I do wish that life was not so difficult for her, of course I do. Her difficulites break my heart on an almost daily basis. But my word, she's the most determined individual I think I've ever met. She's relentless, and I hugely admire that in her.

Wellyoucan · 07/03/2025 09:40

I agree witnessing your child’s bravery and determination in the face of fairly awful obstacles can be truly inspiring. I tell my dc that everyone in the country has collected money to help people like him because they know he can’t make money himself yet (it’s vanishingly unlikely he ever will). When he asked me “Why?” I told him it’s because we all love him so much and that he makes so many things better. I believe that.

Tapofthemorning · 07/03/2025 10:11

This is my view, and I'm sorry if some disagree, but (and it is only my opinion!) you are brave and resilient. It's not a choice. You just are... like it or not! Life IS much harder. You might feel useless, people might treat you like you are. But just 'being' - not doing anything special - is proof that you're strong. You face challenges every day that healthy people don't. That - to me - is courage and strength, a quiet strength, even if you don't realise it.

OP posts:
Tapofthemorning · 07/03/2025 10:17

Serencwtch · 06/03/2025 21:25

I'm disabled but not particularly resilient or strong. I'm not an 'inspiration' I'm just a normal, boring average person with a disability.

I think you are for just being. Please don't hate me! I don't think you're a scrounger or useless or anything. I think you've been dealt a tough hand and you carry on. That, to me, is courage and strength.

OP posts:
Burntt · 08/03/2025 05:37

Yeah I don't want to be called strong. In my experience it means wow that's shit I'm not actually going to help you though. Also the "I couldn't do what you do" re disabled kids I agree with pp what else can we do really?

I just want to be normal. I want my children to get the education every other child can access yet is denied many disabled children because school "can't meet needs". I want to pay off my mortgage snd into a pension not be worried about my old age.

Literally only positive I can think of is the peer support and advice. I've had no help for my disabled child really from services but other parents of kids like him have given good advice on bits and pieces. Same with my own problems can't get information out of drs but anonymous online questions about managing hygiene and changing clothes etc when physically limited has been life changing with links to aids. I think disabled people are really empathetic and considerate when asked for advice or they see you struggling

Whatevershallidowithmylife · 08/03/2025 05:58

Fabulous idea for a thread! I’ve worked full time since I was 16, now 52. Started in a bakery counter and finished Senior Management.

I have had Crohns since my early 20’s and arthritis, pernicious anemia and anxiety and depression from 19 till now. I now have Cancer and have exhausted all treatment options so have limited time left.

Since my terminal diagnosis and giving up work honestly I see where the term work to lives comes from. Luckily I was given some time to make certain changes that I probably would have missed out on. Nothing major or interesting to anyone but me but I’m so, so, grateful to have this time knowing I’m dying.

Really the only thing I’m pissed off about is never having claimed a benefit a day in my life and now I’m getting them all it seems only for to be taken all away! ah well, them the breaks.

DH is snoring beside me and the dawn chorus is just warming up, mrs blackbird particularly busy this morning. Takes the edge off the pain a little bit still too much pain to sleep last night.

Am I strong? Am I brave? Doesn’t matter, I don’t have any say in the matter so it doesn’t bother me if people say this- it obviously makes them feel better saying this so who am I to take that away from them? Don’t sweat the small stuff, know who your friends are and have fun, that’s about the sum of it!

New posts on this thread. Refresh page