When you’re disabled, the future doesn’t look quite the same as everyone else’s. You’ve got a few more things to think about than your average able bodied or neurotypical person. And that can cause a lot of worry about the uncertainty of the future.
How will you care for yourself? What can you do to bring in a reliable income? These are just two questions that can be very hard to answer when you’re living with a disability, chronic illness, or mental illness.
But you’re not alone. The more we talk about the way the future presents a problem for the disabled community, the more we can support each other.
The Benefit System Makes it Hard to Save
In the US, people on disability benefits cannot possess more than $2000 at any one time. This makes it very hard to build up a ‘nest egg’. In fact, it’s simply impossible. If you try to save money, you’re going to cross this threshold relatively quickly, and that means you’ll lose all access to benefits.
If you cannot work, that could sink your current lifestyle in just a few days. You won’t have any kind of emergency fund to fall back on either. It’s impossible to even get married to the person you love due to this financial threshold; that makes future family planning next to impossible too.
It’s Harder to Live Alone
Living alone is a daily reality for many. When you’re living with a disability, this can be a hard state of affairs. Living alone means you’ve got only yourself to rely on. You can’t rely on a supportive relationship, your parents, or being friends with your roommates. When you need help, or medical aid, it’s unlikely that anyone else will be around.
Thankfully, there’s more and more housing for disabled adults being put onto the market. From disabled community villages to living in supportive housing with living assistance, the future is looking brighter in this area. It’s been a slow transition so far, but it’s headed in the right direction.
Creating a Family Presents Unique Challenges
We mentioned some trouble associated with this under our first heading, but the trouble involved in family planning as a disabled person doesn’t end there. If you’re in a wheelchair, or have reduced mobility for any reason, it’s going to be hard to get out there to meet people.
This can lead to social isolation, which even an internet connection can be hard to solve. A loss of confidence and a low self esteem can arise as a result of this. Similarly, if you’re unwell mentally and physically, bringing new life into the world without the promise of or access to support can be intimidating. Even when you want to be a parent, this issue could hold you back for years.
Sometimes fearing what the future has in store is common for everyone. When you’re disabled, it’s a fact of life. Things are changing, but is it fast enough?
