What is a disability- and how does it differ from a long term illness?

The_Conductor

I was writing this on another thread and decided to instead start a new discussion, as I feel it merits its own discussion.


What is classified as a disability and how does it differ from long term illness?
Many people with long term illnesses don't see their conditions as disabilities- whereas others, perhaps with less serious conditions do. I see someone over on the sarcoidosis thread suggesting they be allowed a medical card- when in my eyes (and believe you me I'm in pain with it), its minor compared to many other things- none of which I'd consider a disability.

Do you self declare? If so- what makes Jack at one table with impeccably controlled Type 1 diabetes a normal employee- versus Jill at another table, with badly controlled Type 2- a disabled employee. Or vice versa if one or the other of them don't view themselves as disabled?

Surely there should be a less arbitrary way of deciding what entails a disability? In the education sector Type 1 diabetes and Crohn's Disease are classified as disabilities qualifying for assisted entry to 3rd level education. In 2011- according to the UCD admissions office, no incoming students used this dispensation as an access mechanism to the university (from over 7000 incoming students).........

What defines a condition as a disability- and indeed, how does a disability differ from a long term (or even life-long) condition, which means those afflicted modify their lifestyles (significantly) just to get by? Is a constant need to know where the nearest bathroom is, constant pain, the need for regular blood transfusions etc- a disability? What happens if you declare it as a disability- are you all of a sudden a pariah among your work colleagues, if/when they discover your condition?

Its a minefield- and leaving it up to people to self-declare isn't a solution in my opinion.

Dizzyblonde

What an interesting and difficult question. I'd have thought of a disability as (a) something you were born with that makes you unable to independently function completely as 'normal' (blindness, deafness, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, learning difficulties etc), or (b) a physical or mental deficit caused by an accident or illness (brain injury, missing limb, paralysis etc). After reading your post I'm not so sure - it's certainly not as clear-cut as I thought.

I'd never have thought of diabetes as a disability but I don't know a lot about it and how it can affect a person's day-do-day life.

I have a long-term condition that probably isn't even considered an illness, never mind a disability, and I doubt I'm eligible for any help or assistance in either education or employment. Due to inner ear trouble I've had feelings of false motion and disequilibrium every single day, to varying degrees, for over 20 years. Some days it's so bad I can't do very much, most days it's pretty manageable. I couldn't hold down a job with it though and would most likely be laughed out of it if I tried to claim any sort of benefit.

With regard to declaring a condition to colleagues/acquaintances, I tell people about my condition on a strict need-to-know basis! Otherwise your condition defines you to people, and God knows everyone's an expert on other peoples' problems

CathyMoran

I am a type 1 diabetic but due to surgery for oesophageal cancer of which I am a 5 year plus survivor I have issues with eating so I would consider that a disability as it does affect my day to day life.

Dizzyblonde

Cathy I'd agree with you. I think that anything that affects a person's enjoyment of a full life is a disability. And often it's the invisible ones that are the hardest to bear.

robinph

I certainly don't consider myself disabled, I'm not unable to to anything so it would seem a daft label to give myself as I'm more active than the majority of healthy people. I don't actually like the idea that I've got any long term "illness" either, but that is probably just me.

I do have several faults with my body that require me to take various pills, injections and inhalers in order to keep me alive and functioning...but as I am functioning I don't consider myself ill. My opinion would change if/ when I find myself a bit more restricted, but whilst I'm kept supplied with the drugs I need by the NHS* then there isn't anything wrong with me.


*The NHS is awesome and I can't believe that people complain about it over here.

SeaSide

I think it's going to be on a scale and you are going to encounter a large area of grey where I suppose it's your attitude that will determine where you classify yourself.

For instance we all have different levels of vision but at some stage you will be classified as blind. Two people with the same level of vision may have vastly different abilities/disabilities.

I am not allowed to become a commercial pilot due to my LTI so in that respect I am disabled or considered unable but that is not a label I would put on myself. There was a discussion on the Diabetes in Ireland Facebook page about the bad reactions some people had received over testing blood sugar and injecting insulin in public and I consider that reaction equivalent to requiring a wheelchair user to leave it at the front door.

It's kind of funny that you have people who are disable trying to live as "normal" a life as possible while others who are not are trying to be disabled. And that is probably where the line should be drawn - if you are striving to lead a "normal" life you qualify, if your trying to be disabled you don't.

I apologise in advance if I have used inappropriate or insensitive language in this post

Dizzyblonde

robinph, it just goes to show how difficult it is to define 'disability'. There are very serious conditions that are treatable with drugs etc and don't affect a person's ability to live a full and active life, then there are conditions that are neither serious nor life-threatening that can have a huge impact and can't be eased or treated.

As smccarrick said, it's a minefield.

I do think that a positive outlook is very important with anything long-term, and can help you to enjoy life even within limitations. And a sense of humour is vital.

CathyMoran

My disability is that I can not eat large volumes of food and am supposed to snack all day - akward with the diabetes so I end up eating once or twice a day (I also have decaf) and go for high calorie foods - I also can not stay out late as I get too tired...it does affect everything.

Lon Dubh

I think this definition is quite good from the Disability Discrimination Act in the UK:

The act defines disability as:

'A physical or mental impairment which has a substantial and long-term adverse effect on a person's ability to carry out day-to-day activities.'

Part 2. Does the impairment adversely affect day to day
activities?



An impairment must affect at least one of the following:

• mobility
• manual dexterity
• physical co-ordination
• continence
• ability to lift, carry or move everyday objects
• speech, hearing or eyesight
• memory or ability to learn, concentrate or understand
• ability to recognise physical danger

http://www.pcs.org.uk/en/equality/disability_equality_toolkit/dda_definition_of_disability.cfm

the culture of deference

Lon Dubh wrote: »

I think this definition is quite good from the Disability Discrimination Act in the UK:

That makes it clear. Illness can develop into disabilities over your life time.

Broxi_Bear_Eire

I have type 2 diabetes I never it a disability. I have serious spinal problems which have escalated in the last few years. To the extent I have had major surgery twice this has been compounded with Stenosis of the spine which has caused damage to my spinal column. In all I have trouble walking moe than a few yards at a time and that is with walking aids. That is disabled IMO

Stepho

well, I have a long term illness - Epilepsy

so just my own personal views on this..

I dont consider myself to be disabled in any way... OK - I have to take medication twice a day every day since the age of 13 until probably the rest of my life, but that's a small price to pay to live a life as "normal" as possible.. there's worst in the world anyway... it's so automatic that sometimes I even question myself - did I or did I not take my medication?

Does it affect my quality of life? YES, but I've learnt to deal with it over the years.. wasnt easy at first when I was diagnosed during puberty - hormones raging and all... not being able to do EVERYTHING I used to do anymore like the rest of my friends...

In what way? You're tired all the time from the illness itself, you dont always feel able for everything life throws at you, but with support from family, partners, friends etc. it's no biggee.. so NO, you wont see me on the dance floor till 3am shaking my stuff, and when I feel I've had enough for the evening and leave my friends behind in the pub, nobody minds because they understand...
so you just learn to pace yourself - Sky diving is a no-no, but I'm cool for going bowling for example!

I think it's just a matter of how you look at it.. if you choose to live your life like anybody else despite the illness, then most likely it wont affect you that much.. I dont hide my epilepsy but I dont broadcast it either..

DRIVING - that's a personal choice - I choose not to in case I have a seizure while driving, but that doesnt mean I have an opinion on epilepsy sufferers who drive.

PREGNANCY - well, yeah, that's an issue and it will affect me - change of medication, extra folic acid, high risk pregnancy, has to be thought off well in advance etc. there are risks with the medication of malformation for the foetus etc. and if I decide to eventually get pregnant one day, it will be a very thought through decision to make.

RELATIONSHIPS - well, try to explain to your new partner who you havent had the time yet to inform that you were epileptic that you actually had a seizure during the night, and that:
- NO, you did not kick him out of bed for no reason,
- and that NO, you did not plan to give him a black eye that the lads in work are then going to mention all day to him... yes people - true story...! :P and he wasnt best pleased... I was mortified when I saw the state of him the next morning :eek:

so it can be a mood killer on occasion... :pac:

SPEECH / MEMORY / MOBILITY - yes, I do have memory issues sometimes... things I cant remember properly... as for speech, sometimes it is affected when you change your medication.. everything slows down - last time I changed my medication, I looked like a zombie for 6 months, fell asleep in work at my desk the first month regularly.. so much so that the boss sent me home a few times.. I couldnt make it to the bus stop in the morning.. I had to get taxis in and out of work every day for most of the first 3 months - cost me a bleeding fortune!!!!

But the fact remains that I dont see my illness as a disability... it's part of me, and who I am..

And I'm sure a lot of other people might feel the same way with diabetes, MS, etc. You just need to be careful, do your homework etc., learn about your condition, pace yourself, make sure you check in with the specialist every so often and that you are monitored correctly with medication or physiotherapy or whatever else you might have to do, and just live your life... (sorry for the long post everyone)