The subtle art of being “Disabled enough”.

To be eligible for helpful disability services, whether they be financial, physical, mental or work wise. You need to find that “disabled enough” sweet spot.

You know the one, do you have difficulty 1, 2 and 3? No? Only 1 and 3? That’s not enough to qualify. So this creates a system where people will “Play up” what/how their condition affects them, which later can (not always) manifest into an unintentional habit.

An example would be you need financial support, so you NEED a good enough list of issues to qualify.

You like people but you don’t like hugs, you like to talk about your love of rocks, but you know how to read a room ECT.

Unfortunately this wouldn’t be enough to qualify. So most people add more to the list, even when it isn’t true. I look people in the eye or at their nose, but to pass for things I had to look away, fidget and rock myself back and forth. Habits I haven’t done since I was a child, but habits I’ve learnt that get me what I need.

This isn’t a post to “Shame” people for needing to get by, I admit that I’ve needed to “exaggerate” certain aspects of myself to ensure I can still find work or get extra help with transportation and so on.

Yes there’s always someone out there who “Needs that service more” but YOU getting help DOESN’T take away someone else’s ability to get help.

To sign this post off, just wanted to say that if you’re needing to play up your symptoms for support? You aren’t the only one.