If you are a PWD, feel free to introduce yourself! Even if you're not sure if your condition "counts", feel free to answer as if it definitely does. There are multiple legal definitions of disability, and some different schools of thought on the concept in general.
In the US:
Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (which exists to protect disabled people from discrimination):
"An individual with a disability is defined by the ADA as a person who has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities, a person who has a history or record of such an impairment, or a person who is perceived by others as having such an impairment."
For social programs, ie disability check:
"(a) The law defines disability as the inability to do any substantial gainful activity by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment which can be expected to result in death or which has lasted or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than 12 months."
I consider myself to "have a disability" (I have severe anxiety/avoidant personality disorder that affects me at work), but I personally don't claim the word "disabled" as that would seem to imply a more severe level of disability. At this time at least, I can still work and hold down a job.
I grew up with a disabled step-parent who was a bedridden and housebound paralytic, and we lived on SSI until he passed away. Taking care of him was a full time job, so my mom couldn't hold a job to support us. (And when you're on SSI, they will take it away if you have more than a certain amount of money at any given time. So that's another reason.) He was in and out of the hospital every few months. I loved my stepdad a lot, he was a great personality and was wonderful with children. Had a great sense of humor.
Now! I have some ice breaker questions for you!
1: Introduce yourself! What's your name? If you like, tell us which disability(s) you have!
2: Do you have an "invisible disability", meaning a disability that isn't obvious? How do people tend to react to your disability, and/or learning you have one?
3: Have you ever been discriminated against because of your disability?
4: Do you refer to yourself as a PWD, disabled, or differently abled, etc? And why?
5: If you use disability aids (wheelchair, cane, fidget toys, or whatever else), how do people tend to react? How do you wish they would react?
6: Do you prefer "person first" language, ie "I am someone with [disability]" as opposed to "I am [disability]?" Why?
In the US:
Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (which exists to protect disabled people from discrimination):
"An individual with a disability is defined by the ADA as a person who has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities, a person who has a history or record of such an impairment, or a person who is perceived by others as having such an impairment."
For social programs, ie disability check:
"(a) The law defines disability as the inability to do any substantial gainful activity by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment which can be expected to result in death or which has lasted or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than 12 months."
I consider myself to "have a disability" (I have severe anxiety/avoidant personality disorder that affects me at work), but I personally don't claim the word "disabled" as that would seem to imply a more severe level of disability. At this time at least, I can still work and hold down a job.
I grew up with a disabled step-parent who was a bedridden and housebound paralytic, and we lived on SSI until he passed away. Taking care of him was a full time job, so my mom couldn't hold a job to support us. (And when you're on SSI, they will take it away if you have more than a certain amount of money at any given time. So that's another reason.) He was in and out of the hospital every few months. I loved my stepdad a lot, he was a great personality and was wonderful with children. Had a great sense of humor.
Now! I have some ice breaker questions for you!
1: Introduce yourself! What's your name? If you like, tell us which disability(s) you have!
2: Do you have an "invisible disability", meaning a disability that isn't obvious? How do people tend to react to your disability, and/or learning you have one?
3: Have you ever been discriminated against because of your disability?
4: Do you refer to yourself as a PWD, disabled, or differently abled, etc? And why?
5: If you use disability aids (wheelchair, cane, fidget toys, or whatever else), how do people tend to react? How do you wish they would react?
6: Do you prefer "person first" language, ie "I am someone with [disability]" as opposed to "I am [disability]?" Why?
focusing on outpatient care and patient rights? Yes please! All this intimidation and greed? Not so much.
Granted, the way I explained it wasn't ideal, I said I could "freak out" and apparently people don't think a panic attack where you sit there quietly trembling and crying is what "freaking out" entails. (Apparently they took it to mean that I'd be screaming and yelling and disturbing other passengers or worse.)
I’m frustrated with the whole thing. Honestly? First the voices and agitation began to subside…then the low mood and general instability…now I suppose one could say I have anxiety but a lot of it is from having lived in poverty and now dealing with labels and friction from being regarded as poor but not living in poverty…
Any and all disabled experiences are welcome