It is ableist to say that disabled people are lazy. I'm so sorry someone said those things to you, Moi. None of them were true.

I am also disabled, and sometimes I cannot work for very long periods of time. I have serious objections to the idea that people are only worthy if they are conventionally productive. When I am stuck in bed, it gives me time to be creative and even if I'm not generating income, I am still spending my time in worthwhile ways that bring joy. I'm making art, or even just talking to people online can build community.

Someone once told me that as disabled people we create beauty in circumstances we would never choose.

I am also disabled. I'm currently trying to get disability benefits but the government doesn't want me to have them. Very upsetting.

I can't hold down a job so I can't earn money. It's like saying they don't care if I die or not.

There is some disability and food stamp fraud. But not nearly as much as people make it out to be. And really, would you rather save a few bucks to possibly let a person starve to death? I'd rather feed a bunch of people who don't need it than have someone starve.

i have a physical disability that was caused by a birth defect, and i have never been able to work for extended periods of time. i push through my depression and inability to stand for extended periods of time by setting boundaries for myself so that i can work at all. if my workplace wasn't gracious enough to allow me to have shorter shifts and a chair to sit on, i flat out wouldn't be able to do my job. i have to be able to sit. i need a lot of time off.

i wish, every day, that i could work more hours and that i wasn't constantly under the strain of depression. disability isn't some dumb excuse for me to be "lazy." i wish i was able-bodied. people who don't suffer from a disability will never, ever know how lucky they are. and yet, they still call us lazy.

there are so, so many people in the world with disabilities, but we are invisible. the "face" of the people who receive assistance is a lie perpetuated by people who want to exploit anyone and everyone as much as they can.
the government doesn't even want to pay people a living wage, let alone give it to them because they physically or mentally cannot work.

every single person in this world has a right to life, whether they work or not. but if you've ever stared down death because you didn't have the money to pay a hospital bill, or you were homeless, or you couldn't buy food to eat... then you would know that in this world, you are only worth the money you have. your inalienable right to life suddenly vanishes if you don't have any money. your life doesn't mean anything in the grand scheme, whether you're disabled or not. that is something that needs to change yesterday.

I'm 'able bodied' and although I've suffered from major depression and anxieties, I've never been classified as 'disabled', so I'll start by saying that I'm really sorry for what has been said to you, and that I wish you all the best for the future.

As for the things you want to do in life, but your disabilities are preventing you, I think maybe you can start small? Maybe you can start by volunteering and that was when it gets too much you're free to back out, as you're not under any kind of contract?

There's so many cynicism in the world today, my own mother is compassionate and wants to help people, but always jumps to conclusions when people are on benefits or say they 'can't work' which I find rude and always correct her.

I think the younger generation, the one's called 'millennials' will make a positive impact on the world when they are the majority, but for now please don't let it get you down too much - your art is beautiful so maybe try and push that if it's something you enjoy?

Don't sweat it, you'll make it through!

I have similar problems that forced me to quit university/ college (the system works a little different over here) and leaves me to do a part time job two days in the week.
A lot of people don't see mental disorders as a disability, there is a lot of bias and unjust opinions on mental disorders and curing them. People label others lazy as a way to make themselves feel better and be able to point a finger. It's horrible at it's part of why I have trouble with my own issues as I feel useless because of it :(

Over coming mental disorders and depression aren't easy and they take time, for some people more than others, as I've been told and as I've been trying to learn try not to take what other people think or say to heart. Focus on your own recovery, take joy out of those days you relax and 'lie around'. I know it's easier said than done but it's something to hold onto.

Guys.....fuck productivity.

There's this idea that in order to be a "contributing member of society" you have to be able to work or have a family exactly the way society wants you to. This is nonsense. Maybe we have to spend more time resting, for example, and maybe we can't always hold down a job. But we're still living and loving and creating things, even then, and we all have value.

I'm watching closely. Glad I live in Massachusetts, so even if they repeal the Affordable Care Act I will still have health insurance, but even still my governor is slashing services for low-income families. It's horrific.

What they mean by "don't use it as an excuse" is that your disability shouldn't stop you from doing your best.
I teach a course at university, and some of my students have dyslexia. They get more time to do the exam and we try to make it as easy for them as we can. I tell them that I won't mind if their essay had mistakes in them. But they ALL answer "no no, I should make any because I spend a lot of time correcting myself". Not a single person told me "yay ok great".
Being "lazy" would be "meh, I have dyslexia, I don't care how I write".

I believe lazy isn't the word by the way, what they should say is "don't let what's hard for you stop you and keep doing your best". Which is also nicer than "don't be lazy".

People should always do the best they can. Everybody should put 100% effort into what they want to do. And 100% can mean having a job, making money and helping people. For others with disability (especially mental disorders), 100% can be getting up in the morning, going out for a walk and do something with friends.
And that's perfectly fine. As long as it's the best you can do at that time.

Anxiety and depression can lead to disability, but you're completely right because it can get better and you won't necessarily be on disability all your life. As long as you keep doing your best (which I believe you do). you'll become the best you can be, someone you can be proud of, and why not get that job you want.

It's easy to say bad things about people on disability because most people don't know what it's like, and they also see that part of their tax money goes to these people. So they feel entitled to judge.
Don't let your motivation and efforts be destroyed by someone who criticizes. They don't know what they're talking about.

However, people abusing that system are giving a bad reputation to those who do their best. They're giving disabled people a bad reputation and wasting the money all of us give them to get back on their feet. And that's totally unacceptable.