"Temporary" Disablity possible?

[RickinNYC]

Hi guys, I'm not sure whether this is the proper venue or if I should have posted on the debate board. If I'm wrong, sorry in advance!

Anyway, I had posted a question quite a long time ago in the DISAbility board but the topic came up again amongst a few friends. Things got a little heated so I wanted to put the question out to the cyber world.

A couple of years ago, I had been diagnosed with gout. I'm much, much younger than the average person who typically gets this ailment (35 at the time of diagnosis). My doc was pretty shocked to say the least. For those that are not aware, gout is a type of rheumatoid arthritis and is caused by eating and drinking things that are high in purines. Your body converts those purines into uric acid and the normal person easily flushes this out of their system. Rest assured, I watched everything I ate and drank but it was to no avail.

People prone to gout, however, don't flush it out effectively. The uric acid builds up into needle like crystals that form in your joints, typically in your big toe, instep, sometimes your knees. It's even been known to appear in ones knuckles, wrist or elbow though it's very rare. Anyway, when this occurrs, the area is flushed red, gets swollen and is unbelievably, unbearably painful.

That said, I started having flare ups in all those areas I had indicated. When that occurs, I can barely walk, sometimes not at all. The slightest pressure, such as from a bedsheet, makes me see stars.

When the attacks are at their peak, I can't walk AT ALL. When they start to wane, I get around with crutches.

When I originally started getting attacks, they were only every 4-6 months. Very manageable and only lasted a few days. Then they started to get more frequent, sometimes once a month. And the pain would last for weeks on end. I'm on medication now and have been pain free (for the most part) for almost a year.

Here's my question that caused a little debate amongst friends. When I have the attacks, I can't walk. In my opinion, I just take it in stride, albeit painfully. I know it will go away eventually. A couple of my friends think I have temporary disablity because it effects my life, although only from time to time.

I definitely don't think of this as a disabilty but apparently some do. Just curious to know your thoughts.

 

[peg2001]

Yes, I would consider it a disability, just as a person with 2 broken legs would be temporarily disabled. Many folks with MS have good times interspaced with bad times. Same concept.

Peggy

 

[AirForceRocks]

I agree with your friends - it is absolutely possible to have temporary disabilities. My MIL was in a car accident years ago, and suffered severe back injuries. She can usually get around very well, but depending on the weather, or if she has been doing something strenuous, she can barely walk. Her doctor provided her with a parking placard for those times so that she can use handicapped parking.

 

[pumba]

1.
1. The condition of being disabled; incapacity.
2. The period of such a condition: never received a penny during her disability.
2. A disadvantage or deficiency, especially a physical or mental impairment that interferes with or prevents normal achievement in a particular area.
3. Something that hinders or incapacitates.
4. Law. A legal incapacity or disqualification.

You seem to have a good outlook on yourself and your condition....lets call it that......to me a disability is something that stops us from having a normal day to day life .....you seem to shrug your shoulders ....get well and go on with life.......you are a good person and a good role model........thanks for telling us......

 

[RickinNYC]

Originally posted by pumba
You seem to have a good outlook on yourself and your condition....lets call it that......to me a disability is something that stops us from having a normal day to day life .....you seem to shrug your shoulders ....get well and go on with life.......you are a good person and a good role model........thanks for telling us......

Thanks for the kudos pumba! But rest assured, when those attacks hit my feet or knees, all I want to do is cry like a baby sometimes. It hurts more than anything else I've ever experience!

 

[Sandy V.]

I would also agree that it is possible to have a temporary disability.

My husband also suffers from gout, although his is not nearly as intense as yours. Best of luck with your situation!!

 

[Bichon Barb]

Rick, I don't know about the disability situation, but I just wanted to stop by to give you a . I had to take my father to the ER last year for what ended up being acute gout. It started, I believe, in his neck and arm and went into his knees. I've never seen him in so much pain.

Take care.

 

[Disney Doll]

During flare-ups, I woudl certainly agree that it is a disability, albeit a temporary one.

 

[swanmom]

I used to be a director of disability services at a major university (in your city, no less!) Not only is there such a thing as a temporary disability but it also has 'legal standing.' Frequently at the university, we were asked to assist in accommodating students who had illnesses with intermittent flare-ups. Everything from students receiving cancer treatments to AIDS-related illnesses can cause severe disability at one point in time and not another.
If your ability to carry on normal life functions is significantly impaired due to a diagnosed medical condition, at that time, you have a disability. Sound like your attitude is a healthy one, though. No need to 'label' yourself unless you feel the need for specific accommodations.

 

[RickinNYC]

Originally posted by swanmom
I used to be a director of disability services at a major university (in your city, no less!) Not only is there such a thing as a temporary disability but it also has 'legal standing.' Frequently at the university, we were asked to assist in accommodating students who had illnesses with intermittent flare-ups. Everything from students receiving cancer treatments to AIDS-related illnesses can cause severe disability at one point in time and not another.
If your ability to carry on normal life functions is significantly impaired due to a diagnosed medical condition, at that time, you have a disability. Sound like your attitude is a healthy one, though. No need to 'label' yourself unless you feel the need for specific accommodations.

I have absolutely no need to for specific accomodations whatsoever! Thank goodness for that!

Now that I'm on the medication, I haven't had any truly disabling attacks. But when/if I do, my ability to carry on normal life functions are defintely impaired. I am completely immobile 100%.

Nevertheless, I like the word "condition". I don't have any stigma attached to the term "disablity" by any means. I just think that those with truly disabling conditions need the protections and rights attributed to that label. Thus my discussion with friends.

 

[pumba]

say .......you are something else........an occasional back problem makes it hard to get out of a water bed maybe once a year or so.....I need a little pull or push......so I call that my old age condition......hugs you are a good one still

 

[swanmom]

Glad to see your response. Like I said, your attitude seems to demonstrate a really healthy outlook on the situation. Wish that more of the students I worked with had that perspective.

 

[tar heel]

Rick -- My dh has been on gout medication for more than 10 years, and has not had a serious episode the entire time. Originally, he took medication for a little while, then went off it, but it kept flaring up. I think there is a hereditary element to the condition, as his grandfather also had it.

 

[RickinNYC]

Yep, seems that it's in the genes with me too. My dad has it, as does my brother who's a year older than I am. The only strange thing with us is that it hit both my brother and I at such a young age.

I'm currently taking colchicine and it seems to be working, although I do get a tiny bit of residual pain, sometimes a walloping zing when I least expect it, but otherwise, things are looking good.

I take my meds like a good boy!

 

[KristaTX]

Rick - I'm sorry you have to occasionally live with such horrible pain. It sounds like you are doing the best you can under the given circumstances.

Krista

 

[luv2nascar]

if you are employed check with your employer about Short Term Disability insurance. You have it and could qualify for payment while temporarily disabled. Usually 7-14 day waiting period for benefits.

If a doctor deems you unable to perform your usual occupation it would be a disability.

 

[deadheadbelle]

RickinNYC, I hope the medication keeps working. It sounds like a horrible condition.