Stella Young and Mia on Disability

Thank you so much for this interview Stella. I have an invisible disability and I can't work even though I have a degree and am very motivated. I have CFS, Chronic migraine and fibro as well as some resulting mental health problems. My illness got to disability level my last year of uni and since then I have been mostly bed ridden. That's hard for me to even type but it's true. I love that you said you refuse to apologize. I need to stop apologizing. I have days where I CAN do things and I generally just focus on the good (cos the bad times are bloody boring). But i still feel so much guilt and shame about being on th DSP and not being able to do things for myself. I'm working with a wonderful psychologist at the moment. One thing I have found is if people don't know you have a disability or don't believe you when you say you do (a large number! ) they say the most awful things about people on centerlink or people who need extra help. Because obviously I'm just faking it so I can be broke instead of using my degree to get a good job and make some good money. My boyfriend dumped me recently for no apparent reason other than because I am sick. He has been nothing but nasty since then. It sucks that we are a supposed to be a compassionate society but we still BLAME people for being sick or disabled or unemployed. Sorry about the rant I just was so inspired by the interview and ofcourse it brought up a lot of issues for me. I am developing a thicker skin tho. ;) on a slightly different note, thank god for dogs! Mine is a very energetic little girl who KNOWS when I'm really sick and will spend all her time just lying in bed with me instead of going and being with other people or running around and playing. She never guilts me (unless I don't take her with me when I go out!) she is just supportive and loving and selfless. Ah what we could learn from dogs!

Loved the interview and Stella!