Hi again,\n  I attend a University in Indiana.  I am origanally from Indianapolis area as well. I, my doctotors and parents chose the University do to the accident my mom and I were in, in the summer before my junior year of high school.  Well, the question is, should I use all the extra support a person with a disability is given, even if I do not feel I have a mental disability?  I used to think and know people looked down on peoplr with a disablility or if not looking down, they look at them differently.  Now, i can prove my point too because when i was an atheleth, not many people could/would mess with me but as soon as I was hurt, my girlfriend at the time dumbed me, and alot of people wanted to test me.  Partually cause i am not that big of a person, somewhat like a Mugsy Bugs/ Earl Boykins kind of guy!!  I would like to tell anyone who reads this, making friends is importsnt but make sure you have God/Jesus first in your life, for when everyone one leaves you, He never will!!
136888
If you do not need the extra support, do not use it.  I applaud your tenacity for moving forward through college after an accident.  That said, do not be afraid to ask for help or support if you begin to struggle or fall behind.  University is very challenging for everyone, disabled or not, and it is not bad to use the tools that are offered you.  Follow your heart and mind and make the decisions that you believe to be right.
523325
I'm glad you're in good health. I wonder if you still have any rehab to go through. It took me a while to recover after a problem a few years back. MADD would probably be glad for you to briefly tell your story at one of their meetings. Maybe high school Driver's Ed. classes could use a word from you as well.
71047
Well, one thing is obvious you probably have suffered (and continue to suffer) from anguish and distress.  …Autism constitutes a relatively narrow band on that long axis of Spectrum Disorders that span the whole gamut of learning disability conditions from ADHD to what have you, not to mention heavy metal poisoning, and a multitude of other neurological and behavioral possibilities.  You may or may not have Autism or any of the other spectrum disorder conditions.   The fact of the matter is that we still understand relatively little about how the human brain functions, hence it is a non-trivial thing to make a final/definitive diagnosis and say yes Michele you have such and such, so go home and take a few of these pills.   …I do NOT believe that earning a "label” is necessarily going to add anything positive to your struggle against what you have been going through.   I believe, instead of concentrating on the negatives you must genuinely praise yourself for the great courage, the hard work and the perseverance that you have shown so far in dealing with whatever it is that has been making you suffer.   Obviously, and from your description, your parents have always supported your recovery struggles and encouraged your progress – yet another treasure that you have been blessed with and should be grateful for.  As I see it you might have been this and that and what have you (and may even continue to suffer with residual effects), but now at least you seem like a very well spoken and eloquent lady, isn't that reason enough to celebrate and be happier?   Isn't that reason enough to find love somewhere in the midst of all this "confusion" as you put it?   Meaning is something that all of us (autistic or otherwise) have to labor to bring into our lives.     I know it is NOT easy, it is not easy for any of us, but try and lead a more loving life and I’m sure even better and bigger progress will come your way in time.
345642
Regarding Kent: Maybe it's not the question asker's fault? Maybe he doesn't have a list of conditions. Maybe he just has crap friends. \n\nFeel free to see a shrink, but it might not be necessary. Try not hanging out with them, and finding new people to talk to. If you still find you can't trust *anyone* then see a professional. But, if it's just those few people, get away from them.\n\nPeople are too quick to label themselves with mental health issues.
135886
There is more than one stigma attached to mental health conditions. Yes it is uncomfortable, and the stigma most attached that troubles me the worst, is that because the person can't see what is wrong with you, it's as if you are just making it up. If you walk in on crutches, people are much more empathetic, than if they see someone having a panic attack. Terms like "unbalanced, mentally ill" are tossed around pretty freely, without really understanding what is going on. I have a friend who suffers from severe depression and a very severe case of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, and her own family thinks that she could change this, if she would just fight it, get a job, get up in the morning, take a shower, etc... and everything will fall back into place.  I know that mental conditions can do a lot of damage to the person with the illness, but it hurts to have other people trying to diagnose you, and tell you how to get over it, when they really do not have a clue as to what the person with the illness is facing. If you would like to know more info. about a particular illness, or talk about it in greater detail, or if you have more questions, please feel free to e-mail me at brew40fw@msn.com, I hope this helps, and I wish you the best
341742
I'm sure everyone at Thanksgiving will be very mindful of your condition and give you plenty of room so you don't bump yourself. Hopefully, they'll pay extra attention to you and you won't have to lift a finger to do anything. As far as school is concerned, don't worry about people staring. When I broke my leg my sophmore year, my teachers let me and a friend leave class a few minutes early to beat the crowd so I didn't get banged up. Most teachers are very understanding about that, especially if its a large school like mine was (3000 kids). Good luck with the surgery and Happy Holidays!
146841
when i was in h.s. and about to start college, my family fell onto hard time. I am very close to my family and wanted to put off going into school for them so that i could help out with my father and his illness. When i told my mom my plans to help out, she looked at me and said, "you've been with us your whole life. You have helped out, and you have been a good kid. Now it's your turn to go out and start a new life, for yourself. Don't let your family's hard times keep you down, just keep us in your hearts and don't stop loving us and we'll do the same. We will still be family no matter where you go." So just remember that you are an adult (assumedly) and it's your life to live, and while you love your family and want to be close to them, they'll understand if you choose to live far away from them.
69213
I think it's a good idea to educate yourself on differing beliefs.  It makes you take a closer look at your own, and it should also help you to defend those beliefs (or possibly change them- you never know, you could be wrong now).  College is a place where lots of people question their faith, and I think it's extremely important to know what you believe and why before you go.  As for whether reading other things has strenghtened or hurt- definitely the former.  I didn't form my beliefs until I was a young adult, so I had lots of time before then to figure out what exactly those beliefs were.
453171
I'm disabled with mental illness and my mom and dad don't get it, or where I'm coming from, mostly because I was adopted and that presents two major barriers to understanding, and they continue to think I could snap out of it any day now. \n\nSince you're disabled and can't get away from them for financial reasons, you're going to have to learn how to stop listening to their BS, which is probably all they have to say to you. The best thing that I ever learned was that critical people are just projecting their own inner issues, and what they say is not a reflection on your worth as a person. No one else can tell you who you are. You have to define yourself, find your own passions and pursue them to the best of your ability. If you're sick, then getting well should be your number one goal in life. Don't give it up. Life is worth it.
588533
I have learned that people do genuinely care about what I think, and I have learned that I am not the only one with a disability.  Thanks for this question.  God bless!
568691
I think that we could be doing a lot better, but still, we have made great strides in accepting and incorporating people with disabilities.  \n\nAssuming that you're talking about the job market, most often it is illegal to discriminate against someone with a disability whenever a reasonable accomodation can be made.  \n\nI think it's great that you are concerned about this.  If it bothers you, call your local 211 center and see where you can volunteer (maybe do some job coaching) to help the disabled community.  Also, every school has a special ed program screaming for help.  There are great contributions you can make to a disabled child's life.  More power to you.
666905
My dad had a girlfriend a while back that has a brother with an inflicted brain injury causing severe mental incapacity and loss of function. She told me about going to groups, and how she found out about how to deal with caring for her brother under such conditions. One of her sources of info was a group she found on the web years ago, since dissolved. Here are a few other options. Good luck, blessed Be.
167787
What do you WANT to do?  Where do your passions lie?  Perhaps trying a similar job while pursuing night classes in a field that appeals to may be an option.  My soon to be father in-law started off working with the mentally challenged went on to teach computer classes at college, then he ran his own computer business and now he works for the department of education.  Its possible this change of scenery is for the best and you may find something with your experience that you are better suited for.\n\nAnd yes, I feel the same way (and ramble quite often)
402490
Never feel guilty......  Does not help you or them!  Now you could test for any congenital defects if they are very severe like Down's syndrome or such.  As for more simple things... which are still complicated, like bipolar, schizophrenia and sorts, yes, that can be passed on.  But this information is available to us now, not back then.  Would I still have children, probably depending on how severe it is in the family.  However, my family have severe dyslexia.  Would I not want one of my children because of that, of course not.  I would become as knowledgeable as I could to make sure they have the best opportunities.  As for guilt mom, don't carry any, you can only live for tomorrow and can't change the past.  Don't let your children make you feel this way, they will not benefit from your weakness.  Good luck and remember, they are teens, they will become human beings once again once this age is passed.  Good luck!
153211
I hear ya. I see people who are on disability, with not a thing wrong with them! I was at dfacs one day (I don't receive help, don't remember why I was there tho!) And this woman was so mad that they told her that she had to get a job! People are just lazy!
667509
Not me personally, but my nephew has.  My nephew is an extreme special needs child. He has cerebral palsy and epilepsy.  Seeing an 11 year old in a wheel chair that doesn't talk, feed himself, and drools a lot (his medications cause that), cause people to stare. Sometimes it's a stare of pity. Sometimes a stare of disgust.  Fortunately, there are people that are nice enough to ask my sister his affliction, instead of staring.  They prefer to be educated. Unfortunately, a good portion are heartless, and only see his disabilities.  Not his great smile, or hear his wonderful laugh.  He has taught me much in this world about love, patience and most of all, civility.  I wish others would take his lessons to heart.  I love you, ALAN!!!!
651438
i loved my freshman year of college...i have never laughed more, or cried in my entire life. I lived on Campus and that was DEFINITELY a new experience for me because I was in a CO-ED dorm, on the same floor with football players and baseball players, and gymnasts (don't know why i was put on this floor but it was FUN) ...freshman year is that time in your life were you finally realize...YOU ARE GROWN..YOU ARE NOW RESPONSIBLE FOR MAKING YOUR OWN DECISIONS AND HANDLING THE CONSEQUENCES THAT COME WITH THOSE DECISIONS.....\n\nI learned that racism still exists, I learned about towns in my own state that I had never even heard of!, I learned how to tolerate all sorts of peoples attitude and how to ignore them, i mean its such a wake up call in life.......i wouldn't trade my freshman year for anything....its  all of the above and more.....\n\nIt was the first time in my life I felt free to do what I please......i went to party's, drank, and still made the deans list...so it all depends on how you handle this new found freedom..... but i don't regret anything ,,,,nothing but good memories to tell my children....