How Does it Feel to Live as a Young Disabled Person?

Being a young person in 2018 is not easy. (If I can still call myself that at 26!) There are high expectations on young people and demands. University fees are very high. Many companies expect you to work all hours and houses prices are virtually unattainable.

You can safely say it is not easy to be a young person today!

So if that is not enough imagine all that and being disabled.

Yes I have not been to university and I do not work but a lot of disabled people do.

Being a young disabled person is hard. You  are not a child anymore and a lot of the support, charties and organisations are suddenly not there post 18. Although, the support is still needed. All those cute little children grow up to not so cute adults and suddenly they are on their own. There are few wheelchair grants available, opportunities and support.

You go from Children’s/Adolescent wards with activities coordinators, to adult wards when you maybe in a bay with 90 year olds. The days are even longer as there is no activities coordinator and often no day room or space away from your bed. Suddenly the doctors talk to you. They want your response rather than your parents.

It is difficult. There are a lot of opportunities that are not possible/available for disabled young people that are for able bodied young people.

A lot of young disabled people’s social lives are very limited or mainly on social media. So many bars, clubs and pubs are inaccessible and many people are not well enough to go out. So apart from online it is difficult to meet people.

I need 24 hour care so if I go out, it is either with my Mum, Dad or a PA. I am lucky my friends are quite good about it, but it doesn’t make it easy.

If I go somewhere new, my Dad checks it out first for access and if ramps are required, so careful planning is involved.

Dating/ meeting girlfriends/ boyfriends is also difficult as many people see the wheelchair, illness or disability and not the person.

Likewise, if you are well enough, getting a job can be virtually impossible, people are so quick to ‘judge the book by its cover’ and see the issues or problems they may cause rather than the skills, ability and qualities a disabled person may bring.

Everyone has different qualities and something to offer the world.

Often disabled/ chronically ill people have more positive attributes and drive as to get where they have got to, has taken a lot more energy, determination and fight. With the battles they are up against and obstacles they face on a daily basis.

We have a lot to offer in life so give us a chance!

Hannah x