5 ms·

I have the same question. I’ve had a trans-metatarsal amputation on one foot and the little toe and the bone behind it on the other. My balance is way off and I

I have the same question. I’ve had a trans-metatarsal amputation on one foot and the little toe and the bone behind it on the other. My balance is way off and I move like I’m 20 years older than I am. Yet, I hesitate to say I’m disabled because I can still move (not run at all, but I can still walk). I don’t think disabled, I guess, at least not in public. It’s a kind of personal question to be asking.

Taniwha 6y ago
Yeah I feel the same, I broke an achilles and had a full reconstruction (where they steal a muscle/tendon from your big toe and you sort of have to learn to walk again, teach that muscle to do something different), I can happily walk, but I'll probably never run. While was doing all the operations and recovery/physio/etc I had a disabled driving permit, couldn't walk a block on crutches, but gave it up once I could walk again, there are people who need those spots more than me. I think that disability is a continuum, I've certainly moved around within that, it could be anyone, it could be you or me (I stood in a hole crossing the road, watching the traffic rather than my feet) mostly I guess we should push against there being stigma, acknowledge that disability is normal, and making sure that those with more extreme disabilities get the support they need so we can all take part in society equally
jasonv 6y ago
Do you need accommodations.. officially. If not, wouldn’t you be.. not disabled, for the purposes of this question? I ask, earnestly.
- amp180 6y ago
  That doesn't follow in the the general case though. You can be disabled and sometimes force yourself to do things without accomodations via willpower, but it may have consequences for your mental/physical health and shouldn't be expected of anyone. Eg. Chronic fatigue. If you push through the boomerang effect can hit you like a truck.
aspyct 6y ago
Heyyyy I'm with you here. Broke my ankle a few years ago, badly. I had surgery but recovery is... well, probably never happening, at this point. It's invisible, but walking hurts. The more I walk, the more it hurts. Damn, I used to go on weeklong treks... Anyway back to the "am I disabled" topic. I guess it depends on when you're asking. Good luck!

Taniwha 6y ago

Yeah I feel the same, I broke an achilles and had a full reconstruction (where they steal a muscle/tendon from your big toe and you sort of have to learn to walk again, teach that muscle to do something different), I can happily walk, but I'll probably never run. While was doing all the operations and recovery/physio/etc I had a disabled driving permit, couldn't walk a block on crutches, but gave it up once I could walk again, there are people who need those spots more than me. I think that disability is a continuum, I've certainly moved around within that, it could be anyone, it could be you or me (I stood in a hole crossing the road, watching the traffic rather than my feet) mostly I guess we should push against there being stigma, acknowledge that disability is normal, and making sure that those with more extreme disabilities get the support they need so we can all take part in society equally

jasonv 6y ago

Do you need accommodations.. officially. If not, wouldn’t you be.. not disabled, for the purposes of this question? I ask, earnestly.

amp180 6y ago
That doesn't follow in the the general case though. You can be disabled and sometimes force yourself to do things without accomodations via willpower, but it may have consequences for your mental/physical health and shouldn't be expected of anyone. Eg. Chronic fatigue. If you push through the boomerang effect can hit you like a truck.

aspyct 6y ago

Heyyyy I'm with you here. Broke my ankle a few years ago, badly. I had surgery but recovery is... well, probably never happening, at this point. It's invisible, but walking hurts. The more I walk, the more it hurts. Damn, I used to go on weeklong treks... Anyway back to the "am I disabled" topic. I guess it depends on when you're asking. Good luck!