For those with disabilities

to the op...AWESOME THREAD!

When I was 15, I became diagnosed with arthritis of my blood vessels, which apparently only 1 in 10 million people get. It caused me to have seizures, it sent crippling pain throughout my body, and it eventually led to me having a stroke the same year I was diagnosed.

The medication that they put me on caused me to gain about 50 pounds, and since I was experiencing pain through my entire body, I couldn't exercise in order to lose weight. I also feel I was too young and didn't have the right support structure to understand healthy nutrition.

Through years of trying different treatments, and going to college and gaining new insight as to how I can properly nourish my body, I'm now active every single day, and I long ago lost those 50 pounds. Now I try to maintain my weight so I have the power to be even more active!

I'm commenting again because I think this needs to stay in the recent posts for a while. It's something people should see.

Thanks so much for posting this, Jezebel. After yesterday's post (which, apparently, was all my fault because I was the one who "misunderstood" first), I was just irate. I appreciate you saying this, motivating those of us with disabilities and acknowledging that we are people just like everyone else.

I wrote a blog post about it a little yesterday, in response to the post...

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/blog/Alice_Liddell/view/on-being-disabled-259423

We shouldn't be torn down. We aren't making excuses. Great job to everyone on MFP with disabilities! You are doing all you can and making your life better!

I don't think you 'misunderstood' anything. People say hurtful things all the time and then make the (invalid) excuse that it was just a joke or you are too sensitive or you misunderstood. That person said she is tired of posts by people who are "disabled" claiming they can't work out.... their excuses are invalid.
I have a hard time accepting excuses for cruelty. And yes it is cruel, because kicking somebody who has been down and came to MFP for support and encouragement brings out my inner avenging super hero. I know I am not a super hero, but when I pretend, I can do more.
8)
Thank you for being the first one to speak up.

I totally agree. She was trying to mask it as "inspiring," but it was definitely a dig. I get so tired of people telling me I'm not trying hard enough or I'm making excuses or anything like that. You're right, it IS cruel.

No thanks, please, I just spoke up because it was necessary. And the number of people who friended/private messaged me later telling me that they agreed with me but didn't want to post in the thread really made me feel a lot better. I know we're out there, and I don't blame anyone for not speaking up, because going against the grain is pretty hard to do. I'm just a loudmouth who doesn't care if others don't like my opinion.

It sounds like a lot of u suffer with the same things I do. I blame myself for not being able to overcome all my disabilities. I know people have it so much worse than me so y can't I just get up and live a perfectly normal life? So we really don't need anyone who is able-bodied to put us down, unfortunately we can do this to rselves enough on r own. Between the physical ailments and the depression that either goes along with that or that is ur disability. So to the person who suffers from depression but didn't think they were disabled, u r a part of us too. Just because u can't see what is affecting a person doesn't mean they don't have anything wrong with them. Back in the good old days, before the cancer, before I lost my leg, on good days although my back was hurting real bad I wouldn't always use my cain (I have problems with my palms and wrists so some days it could hurt them too much to use the cain) so when I would get out of my car in the handicapped parking space people would give me bad looks, one nurse went chasing after me one day and luckily my daughter's friend's dad was the Ine who was driving and totally laided into the woman about my back and since he works in physical therapy he really had some great point. It seems like it is just too easy for people to view the world the way they want. Let's just hope they never have to walk a mile in r shoes, especially since most of us can only make it a few feet. We will stuck together, cuz yes we do have every right to be here, on this site and in this world, trying to do whatever we can to make r lives better even if we r only able to watch what we eat, or maybe we will be lucky enough to try little modified exercises. Some able-bodied friend of mine even suggested I could try an ab vacuum since she thought it may not hurt me. How nice of her to listen and believe what I say and instead of putting me down try to help me! To Jez I appreciate ur service to r country and I'm sorry that u can't get the credit or respect u deserve for what u did for the world either out in the world most times, including the help u need from r goverent, or here on MFP where everyone should only try to support others. As to the person who isn't sure about their spelling, ple post what's on ur mind. I have always had problems spelling, and aging this is supposed to be a site for encouragement not an Englush lesson. Most of us will appreciate ur thoughts no matter how u spell them. Lesson learned we just need to have thick skin! Jez I'm happy to have u as a new friend. Anyone se wants to be friends just send me a request, then we can support each others accomplishments no matter how small other people think they r.

Thank you! Exactly! For me staying away from caffeine, sugar as much as possible and working out is what it takes for me to keep going! And to be able to drown out most of the negative thoughts.

I
struggle with migraines, and I struggle with depression and anxiety (The anxiety surprisingly affects my eating and working out more than I could have imagined it would). Having what I struggle with just means I need to be stronger, not so wimpy. That's what goes through my head all the time.

I understand what you go through, I too have Major Depression, severe. No one can see it, like you could if someone had lost their legs or were otherwise physically crippled. And after hearing it over and over again, one begins to believe and wonder about themselves: "am I just lazy? why can't I just 'snap out of it'... why can't I 'pull myself up by my bootstraps' ?"
It is the devious and cunning nature of depression- it is silent and deadly, it tells you that you are lazy, selfish and worthless. It is a terrible disease in the brain. It affects all other things, because all things begin with your thoughts- It shows you the shadow side of life, the evil men do- hopelessness, helplessness and despair.
I have been through it.
I am one of the lucky ones. I found an effective herbal treatment, and that is the only reason why I am here today.
I wish you the best, I understand not having motivation to do... anything.
I used to have to talk myself through the basic steps of living... get one foot out of bed, get the other foot out of bed, stand up MOVE! ... put toothpaste on the toothbrush, brush your teeth, respond to people , make words...
many times I couldn't get the other foot out of bed or respond to people with words.
Thank you for being brave, in sharing your story. It helps more than you know.