09/06/2026
Acknowledging that I have a disability 💫
For the longest time, I didn't identify as someone with a disability. My condition is unseen, I am healthy, and others have greater need. It didn't seem appropriate to label myself in this way (but would tick 'unseen physical disability' on any official form I came across IYKYK 👀).
It wasn't until I came to a local peer support group here in Bristol. Imagine the scene - many t1ds all together, communing, holding, sharing experiences. One guy (shoutout to Seth!) asked me if I thought I was disabled.
Immediately - no.
His response - why not?
And I was stumped. I muttered something about not feeling "disabled enough"...and quickly became stuck in my ableist attitudes that I didn't realise I was living with.
T1D is disabling. It is recognised as a disability. I am allowed to own the fact that I have a disability and at certain times, it is more or less disabling.
This might feel sticky in the t1d community. I'm opening it up to discuss, and to hear other opinions. I love a good discussion, especially about t1d, so let me know where you land with this 🧡
