Yes I'm disabled - or am I?

 

I had a few minutes this morning to head down and drink a coffee before continuing with my day.  While I drank coffee I formulated how I would write this post.  I took some pictures hope you enjoy!  So here it goes...

What is my disability?

I suffer from a disease called Osteogenesis Imperfecta or OI for short.  It's more commonly called brittle bones, glass bones, milk bones, or weak bones.  And those common names don't really get to the root of the disease more the injuries that occur from it.  Basically my body produces defective collagen that surrounds your bones and makes them harder and stronger.  There really isn't much difference in my actual bones just that my collagen around them doesn't do its job.

How did I get this disease?

One word genetics.  Yes from my grandfather's mother's side is where it entered my family.  My grandfather had a very mild form.  He worked on his feet like my father and both of them got luckier on the DNA dice roll than I did.  The classification I have varies I believe I was a 3 but since puberty I'm closer to a 2.  Puberty can improve some patients affected to a milder or stronger classification than previous ones.

What's the prognosis Doc?

I've had it since birth (around 25 bone fractures in all), will have it my entire life, and no pill or therapy can change my genes but hey so what.

Do I struggle with it?

To answer that one I must first address the past.  As a child growing up yeah I did at times but then again every kid has some kind of struggle figuring out the larger world out there. After high school and college I'd answer with a no.  I know who I am and how I think, that's all I care about on that front.  It doesn't stop me at all.

What's the major issues facing the future?

My disease doesn't shorten my life so I'll have a lot of time to weigh in if I live to be an old man.  Right now my biggest pet peeve or gripe is not with ordinary everyday people its with lawyers, politicians, and political correctness.  Let me explain that last statement.  Throughout my life the political correctness makers or label makers have narrowed their ever present all seeing eye on me and all people who have some form of physical disability or issue with walking / getting around.  The labels have come and gone some of them that I remember are "physically challenged", "physically disabled", "disabled", "physically impaired", "handicapped", "ableism" and on and on.  The new one I want run over whoever created it is the "Disabled American" .  Identity politics on a medical condition?  Ger outta here with that noise...I don't care what term you want to use.

Outside of all that labeling the future is looking better all the time.  There are more adaptations and equipment that has improved my life and let me be more independent but you are going to laugh at this next detail.  With all the modern equipment you want to know the one item that helped me live away from home during college and helps me everyday with transfers?  Just an old sanded and sloped transfer wooden board.  haha

My main power chair I use is a new Permobil F3 model.  Pictures didn't come out right so I'll show you the clip of its features mine is all in black.