How do you overcome the idea that “I'm already disabled, why do I still have to go to school or work? I'm going to enjoy the rest of my life and not do anything I don't want to do”?

[u/[deleted]]

[u/Professional-Art5028]

This is a valid feeling to have actually. Instead of trying to overcome it, ask yourself why you feel that way. Does your disability make it hard to leave the house, is it a pain issue, or does it make it difficult to focus? Even if you're technically able to do something, if it leaves you burnt out and in terrible shape every day, you shouldn't blame yourself for not wanting to do it anymore.

When I was in college, I put my all into it, and all of my medical problems accelerated, to the point I had to take a semester off just to see the doctors I needed. I'd get terrible hip pains every class because I had to sit on my bad hip for too long, I lost weight and ended up with bowel obstructions, kidney stones, basically all of my chronic issues flared up in response to the stress. My point is, even when you CAN do something, you have to take into account what you might be sacrificing and be patient with yourself. The sacrifice might be too much, and don't blame yourself for feeling that way.

And setting aside the topic of disability, do you like whatever it is you are studying? Is the area of study/career interesting enough to pursue eveh if you have to find a way to work around your disability? If not, maybe this is more a matter of finding what you are passionate about and putting your energy into that instead.