Disabled

[Floatyboaty]

Going back on topic. I class myself as disabled purely due to the time off work sick. If I get a cold and can't breathe at night I can't function the next day. Not like a normal person getting a cold are we? Same as when I swallowed a lump of air and twisted my oesophagus. I was in agony and thought I was having a heart attack! Needed a week off to recover there. By claiming I have a disability it allows me to be sick and not worry about getting sacked for it! I do not (and have not tried) to claim any monetary benefits

[Sparticus]

For me its just a personal thing, I have no doubt that you are disabled, its just that with being normal with a condition I dont see the point in classing myself as a disabled person. I can do everything an able bodied person can, only difference is I'll be the one thats yawning

[Fredxx]

For me, Technically I am disabled for more reason than one, I have OSA (obviously, otherwise I wouldn't be here), I have effectively only one eye that works, and on top of that a degenerative eye condition. The practical side of those is the CPAP machine to manage the OSA and regular (annual) eye tests and changes of glasses to manage the eye condition.

So, do I consider myself disabled? neither condition prevents me doing what I want to within reason, so no, I do not consider myself disabled in my day-to-day life.

However, I am happy to roll out the disabled tag to reclaim VAT of equipment I need to manage the conditions, to get the help and support I need from the NHS and if anyone tried to get rid of me out of a job or whatever using any of the symptoms as a factor in it, I would have no hesitation in using the Disability Discrimination Act to fight back.

[Floatyboaty]

However, I am happy to roll out the disabled tag to reclaim VAT of equipment I need to manage the conditions, to get the help and support I need from the NHS and if anyone tried to get rid of me out of a job or whatever using any of the symptoms as a factor in it, I would have no hesitation in using the Disability Discrimination Act to fight back.

Exactly, it is cover under the DDA when it come to employment. Since I have been diagnosed I have had many colds which leave deprived of sleep where I can't function properly the next day. By telling my employer I am disabled this sick leave is not counted in any tally as it is DDA related.

[acebass]

Disabled?

I personally do not consider myself disabled, most nights i get a decent sleep with my cpap, sometimes more so than my colleagues, that aside, It enables me to train in Judo which i love, and also now teach it to the Juniors..

the sense of satisfaction I get from this is brilliant and makes me feel like I am giving something back...I couldn't do this without the cpap, but that still wouldn't make me disabled....

I have sometimes thought that I should apply for DLA, but then I think if I take this benefit, I might prevent someone who really does need it from getting it...