Why do people feel like disabled people should be punished, when disability is a punishment within itself?

Question

Why do people have to torture us more? They feel like we can't make decisions for ourselves. They figure they can make our decisions FOR us. & when we're smart enough to stand up for ourselves, they wanna slap us back down. They figure that disability=stupidity.

I'm upset because my social worker doesn't want me with any friends, & the advice on her Y!A, people are telling me that I should do what she tells me to do. & my case manager feels that I should be put in a group home. Why don't I have a right to live upon my own decisions & suffer my INTERNAL consequences? Why do I have to suffer outside consequences that is INFLICTED upon me? Why do I have to suffer consequences as a result of other people's opinions?

Do you people with disabilities feel like other people are trying to run your life because they think you don't know any better?

Answer 1

I am not sure exactly what your disability is, but there are laws to cover people with disabilities. Your social worker needs to respect you.

This is a general number for the ADA 800-514-0301 if you feel your rights are being violated and it certainly sounds as if they are. I don't believe this is the correct number to help you as they seem to give more technical advice, but they certainly can refer you to the correct number.

You are a smart woman, find out what your rights are as a disabled person (and you do have rights) and DEMAND them from your CM.

good luck to you.

Answer 2

First: I don't feel as if my disability is punishment.
Second: Everything you wrote about other people running a disabled person's life is so true. Are you living in a city or town as opposed to the country? Go to your yellow pages or the business section of your phone book. See if there are any groups who do peer advocacy. Better yet, go to the search bar and type in the name of your town, city, or county. Then type in disability rights or rights for the disabled. There must be an organization listed which helps disabled people in your area. Contact them on Monday Morning, around 9 or 9:30 and explain what's going on. Be calm. You can even read your question over the phone. I've included a bunch of addresses and even a 1-800 phone number:

Center For Independence: (This site may have a nation wide listing for you):
1-800-522-4369. Independence, Inc. Living Center, Inc. 855 Central Avenue, Albany, NY 12223.

Brooklyn: www.virtualcil.net/cils/docs/ny.html

NYC:
Center for Independence O/T Disabled in New York. 841 Broadway, Suite 301. New York, NY 10003

Rural:
(This site may have much more listed, but it's for non-city dwellers): rtc.ruralinstitute.umt.edu/CIL/centersShowAll.asp

Much luck to you.

Answer 3

If I remember correctly you are Bi-Polar? I think that what you really need to do to change things for yourself is prove to the people who are questioning your ability to be independent that you can stay on your meds, and make good decisions for yourself.

Has the idea of a group home arisen out of problems you may be having with staying on meds? I noticed there are days when you are doing good and feeling like you are right on track and then days when you are derailed.

I should think we all have "the right" to make choices that result in us "suffering the consequences" but why would any of us want to?

I am not your case worker but I am assuming she is concerned about some of your newly acquired friends.

In your situation I imagine you are going to have to prove yourself to the people who do have control of your benefits and really take charge of your life. Take your meds, be particular about your friends, make sure they arent someone who will take advantage of you or influence you into decisions that arent good for you. SHOW people you can manage your life and your disability - then they will cut your some slack.

Answer 4

you should make your own decision disabled or not

they Can not control your life hang with friends live your life
If they really want whats best for you they Will wanna make you happy. disabled people are just as special as any one else

Answer 5

Well judging by your questions and answers you don't seem like you need a group home. And to your last question, yes, and it's ironic when they keep on saying stuff like "you need to learn" or "when you learn to do (insert activity here)". And it's like after so many years, you can only learn so much about certain things and apparently when your disabled the "you get wiser with age" addage doesn't apply.

Good luck with everything :)

Answer 6

It would help if we new the disability, and I'm not trying to be nosy, I have several Friends with disabilities but the seem to handle the situations that can occur without any problems.

Answer 7

Where was your social worker when you asked a question where anyone that disagrees is a evil disabled hating monster?

and apparently you need it when your question is a summary of what you said just with a "Do you?" smacked to it making this a waste of time for you to answer your own question before its even asked.

Answer 8

Live your life as you can and you sound like someone who can. I have a lot to say about this subject. I will just say equality matters, stand up for yourself, you will be surprised how many will stand along side you. I will.

Answer 9

My TBI was not my fault, someone else did this to me. It was out of my hands, and I won't play the victim. Nothing I can do about it other than moving on and living my life.

Punishment? NO. Reality? YES.

Answer 10

I'm not exactly sure what you're talking about. However, if you're an adult, I don't see how they can make you do something you don't want to do. Although if you are collecting public monies, you may be subject to others decisions. If that's the case the solution is to stop collecting public money.