What does it mean to be disabled? One website says it is defined as follows:
“An individual with a visible or invisible disability is defined as someone who has, or considers themselves to have, a long-term, or recurring, issue that impacts one or more major activities that others may consider to be a daily function.” (source: Lime Connect).
They also categorize a disabled person as someone who has an “acquired brain injury.” I fall into that category.
I used to define myself as disabled, but I’m no longer sure. I realize it’s not necessary to define oneself, but ever since I lost my sense of self in 2019, I have longed for something to hold onto, that makes me feel more permanent. The longer my “recovery” goes on though, I do see myself as disabled. It’s tough envisioning myself in a light that requires me to be reliant on others because I have memories of myself functioning independently as a “typical adult.” I’m still trying to get back to a similar place, but I’ve come to accept the fact that doing that comes with strings attached. Navigating this new space where I’m not as capable as I once was, and trying to be an independent adult again is frustrating.
There’s a lot more that goes into being a “typical independent adult” and what that looks like for me, but I’m taking it day by day. That’s all I can do.
Ref: https://mydiversability.com/about
^^ Blu Jay
