Disability
Disability is such a strange word. Most people do not understand what it is like to be disabled unless they know someone disbled or are disabled themselves.
When you use the word 'disabled' for a mental or emotional situation, people tend to doubt that this is, or should be, considered a disability. "Get over it" is a statement that does not work when someone is disabled mentally and/or emotionally. I have been diagnosed disabled for a couple reasons, major depression being one of them.
I do not tell alot of people, for I do have some shame and anger at my situation. When people meet me, I seem to be a very nice, outgoing person. But what they do not see, is what happens inside me. It is not that I am unhappy to have been born, or that I am unhappy at all. Depression goes much deeper than that, to the very soul, the essence of a person.
Unfortunately, it is quit difficult to get assistance when you are unable to work. Unless you are a single mother or a family with children, people and the government tend to think you do not need help. When I was not working, I was unable to pay rent for over a year. I had to sell personal belongings, and it is not as if I have owned alot of expensive things.
I also had to learn how to budget very well. For example, stopping at a coffee shop and getting a cup of coffee, was out of the picture. That $1.50 could be used towards laundry or deodorant. Having no money is not the end of the world, but if you are on medication and have not insurance, and need the medication to get better enough to try and join society, without money, the medication can not be taken, along with being unable to afford therapy, which goal is to try and help you.
This is a cycle most people do not have to go through, but unfortunately, the elderly and disabled know of this more than anyone. Being retired and/or on a fixed income with health problems, can leave your pockets and bank accounts empty, even when someone has insurance, paying for food and medication is sometimes a toss-up between the two.
All this may seem like common sense, not wasting money is a good way to live. But being disabled goes deeper than the bank account.
Take me for example, I do not leave the house unless I have to. Walking my dog is one of the only reasons I do leave the house. I can get food delivered, medicine delivered, have my laundry picked up and done and almost anything else, I can do from the comfort and safety of my home. For someone like me, who has severe anxiety, this is very helpful, in just doing the basics that others take for granted.
I have a friend, who is disabled, and she has been denied assistance twice. From what I understand, it takes an average of three tries to get on disability, and sometimes involving a lawyer helps. Some states have lawyers who will assist a person, and will not ask for money until the person gets on disability. This may end up taking alot of the money someone recieves once on disability, which is usually retroactive. I believe this is worth it, if someone is going to get assistance in the long run, and generally the lawyer does not take all the money someone recieves retroactively.
I told my friend, mentioned above, a person trying to get assistance needs to "Hold on." If you keep persisting, eventually, if you do infact have a disability, you will get assistance. That is the hardest but the most important part of the situation. Noone else can do this for you. You may get help, but you are basically alone. This was the most upsetting part, for me, when I was awaiting assistance. It is unfortunate, that those who have no knowledge of 'the system' as it is so oftenly called, are the ones who
suffer the most. They do not have 'a voice' to speak for them.
So this is a journey, but well worth it.
Helpful Links
Unfortunately, most websites that offer information to the disabled, focus on those who have physical disabilities. Although this is helpful, my main goal was to supply links to webpages that help those who want information on assistance for the mentally disabled or non-physically disabled persons.
I found the most helpful source was the Social Security Office of the state I live in.
Disability Rights : Mentally/Disability Rights Issues General Americans With Disabilities Act of 1990 Discrimination Education Employment Housing Mentally Disabled Public Accomodations.
Advancing rights and enhancing lives of people with disabilities.
Contains a full list of publications available to order online.
US Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao Selects 'America Works Best When All Americans Work' As October's National Disability Employment Awareness Month Theme.
working for freedom, empowerment, and choice for disabled people and others who use equipment or technology to enhance their independence.
General disability information service run by disabled people.
Published by Scope. This newspaper is for anyone interested in disability. Covering news, features, profiles, arts, sports, classifieds and more.
A network of national organizations or assemblies of disabled people, established to promote human rights of disabled people through full participation, equalization of opportunity and development.
Nonprofit that gathers and disseminates information in order to help people with disabilities live independently. Site has a directory of disability-related links.
Online magazine providing articles, conference reports, reviews, and announcements.
Established in 1993, MDRI documents conditions, publishes reports on human rights enforcement, and promotes international oversight of the rights of people with mental disabilities.
Online disability advocacy and informational organization.
Independent federal agency making recommendations to the President and Congress on disability policy.
Conducts comprehensive and coordinated programs of research and related activities to maximize the full inclusion, social integration, employment, and independent living of disabled individuals of all ages.
Promotes full participation of America's 49 million persons with disabilities in all aspects of life.
The official site featuring online forms, benefits information, and other services.
Social Security disability benefits (SSI/SSDI) information for people denied benefits by the SSA.
Source of information, news, and commentary on the Social Security debate.
President's Commission to Strengthen Social Security, The President's Commission to Strengthen Social Security concluded its work on December 11, 2001.
Details the Bush administration's plans to modernize Social Security through personal retirement accounts.
