“M” contacted us recently regarding his
Multiple Chemical Sensitivity, which affects his respiratory system so
badly that he has been hospitalised many times. Simple things such as certain
aftershaves, polishes, air fresheners can trigger an asthma attack or cause
bronchial problems, which has lead to him having to become self - employed and
less able to work with others. The jobs he can do depend on who he will be
working with and what products he will be working with.
"A" is an 11-year-old boy who has ADHD.
Even before his diagnosis at the age of 6, his mum was aware of his disability
and fought for 3 years for more help and support. He is often labelled as a
"naughty child" and frowned upon. His parents are blamed for any bad
behaviour that occurs. Although all companies and organisations are authorised
to treat everyone equal "A" still struggles in environments like
schools and sports clubs. He can be disruptive or over sensitive and other
children bully him accordingly.
"C" has a parent who suffers from Fibromyalgia and is unable to go for girly trips into town, etc and "C" finds that she spends all of her spare time looking after the parent.
"L" has suffered from Chronic Fatigue Syndrome since she was 12. Doctors never believed her, blaming other factors such as lack of exercise and poor diet for her sluggishness and inability to function. By the age of 17, she was struggling with full-time work and was given prescriptions for depression and sicknotes for exhaustion. After over 25 years of fighting, she eventually found a doctor who agreed to send her for tests to find out what was wrong with her and now faces a long road ahead to get any help and support.
"M" suffers from anxiety. Her anxiety attacks can get so bad that she is unable to leave the house for days.
"S" has Lupus. She is only in her 20's, and a single mum with 2 small children and is in pain constantly, but puts on a brave face. Taking her eldest child to school is painful and exhausting and then she has to return to look after her demanding 2 year old for the rest of the day. This is difficult enough for any single mum, but one who deals with the daily pain of aching muscles, headaches, exhaustion and joint pain is more than challenging. She never complains about it, as no-one believes her.
"C" has a parent who suffers from Fibromyalgia and is unable to go for girly trips into town, etc and "C" finds that she spends all of her spare time looking after the parent.
"L" has suffered from Chronic Fatigue Syndrome since she was 12. Doctors never believed her, blaming other factors such as lack of exercise and poor diet for her sluggishness and inability to function. By the age of 17, she was struggling with full-time work and was given prescriptions for depression and sicknotes for exhaustion. After over 25 years of fighting, she eventually found a doctor who agreed to send her for tests to find out what was wrong with her and now faces a long road ahead to get any help and support.
"M" suffers from anxiety. Her anxiety attacks can get so bad that she is unable to leave the house for days.
"S" has Lupus. She is only in her 20's, and a single mum with 2 small children and is in pain constantly, but puts on a brave face. Taking her eldest child to school is painful and exhausting and then she has to return to look after her demanding 2 year old for the rest of the day. This is difficult enough for any single mum, but one who deals with the daily pain of aching muscles, headaches, exhaustion and joint pain is more than challenging. She never complains about it, as no-one believes her.
People can be affected
in ways so severe from simple everyday items, precautions may need to be taken
so their disability doesn’t flare up. In certain cases, people are almost
provoked to have a reaction or create some sort of visual evidence of their
disability in order to be able to have access to the facilities they need.
Misunderstanding of
diseases’ and conditions can end up causing irritation of the condition itself,
making it worse.
Understanding
needs to be considered of those who take care of the person with the disability
and allowances need to be made for them as well, the emotional and physical aspects
of being a career can be often misunderstood.
People who live
with the conditions themselves may have been through issues where they have had
to fight for medical professionals to listen to the way they're dealing with
their disability, let alone have to then fight for others around them who do
not understand the conditions as well to listen too.
Provoking someone
to provide proof of their illness can impact their disability in a way that severely
affects their outlook on life and can lead to the condition getting worse.
People feel nervous
to seek help after having others comment on not believing what the person living
with the disability is doing.
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