Identifying as Disabled

May 17, 2016

Declaring oneself disabled doesn’t have to be all bad. Once you accept having limited abilities and turn your focus on what you can still do – which is often a lot – you might be able to relish having some time removed from the hustle and bustle of a stress-filled work life.

What does “disabled” mean, anyway? According to the US Social Security Administration, a person is considered disabled if they provide medical evidence that their physical and/or mental incapacity precludes them from working a full-time job on a regular basis.

I probably worked past the time I should have. In 2001 I quit a full-time job that was by far more demanding than 40 hours per week, and which involved lots of travel. I was frequently getting sick and although I earned a nice paycheck, the quality of my life suffered. For years after that I did contract jobs.

Some weeks I worked 20 hours. Other weeks, I had to crunch to meet a deadline and ended up working more than I had energy for. It took its toll on me in many ways.

Eventually, I realized to salvage the quality of my life I would have to learn to live on less and applied for disability benefits. It was emotionally draining to come to this awareness and follow through with the bureaucratic hurdles, but I do not regret it. It provides some peace of mind and allows me the opportunity to rest when I need to. When I replenish my reservoir of energy, I’m able to do things that help me remain attached and productive.

Don’t get me wrong, identifying as disabled takes some getting used to.

According to the US Census Bureau, nearly one in five Americans have a disability. That’s twenty percent. We’re in good company! That’s the largest minority group I belong to. But not all disabilities prevent someone from earning a living. I’m fortunate to have found ways to remain engaged, challenge myself creatively and intellectually, and feel as if I am still of service to my community. And when I need to, I take a break – an hour, or sometimes a full day – and disengage and refuel.

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Glass Half Full with Leslie Krongold, Ed.D. © 2018