How to Stay Positive While Living With a Disability.

[@davidahart2476]

I really enjoyed your video, I'm 56, I was diagnosed with a mild case of CP when I was around 2, I mainly affected my balance and motor skill and caused me to have a erratic gait. As I got into my 30's and 40's I started having issues with osteoarthritis in my knees, lower back and in my hands and fingers, and also became an amputee on the right leg, first half the foot then 10 yrs later below the knee. I used a cane for short distances and eventually started using a rollator at work and around the house, when shopping I always use a grocery cart. I worked as long as I could, my coworkers had been on to me about slowing down because they saw the toll it was taking on my body. Once I really started to notice my body, it was telling me the same thing. I left the workforce in 2019, I filed and got on SSDI. Now I'm able to go at my own pace.

[@madison2247]

Thank you Sam, I needed to hear this and I am grateful for you sharing. It is a very lonely road with disabilities. Even those who love and support you cannot fully understand and sometimes I feel very isolated because of my disability.

[@melemel9062]

This was such a good video. Especially for me, the last point hit home. I was diagnosed two years ago with my conditions, but I'm still trying to 'do all the things' I used to. I'm getting to the point finally where I need to admit I would benefit from a wheelchair or scooter, and probably accessible housing. I expend so much precious energy right now. I may be able to go into town and walk for ten minutes (so I feel 'normal'), but then I'm in bed for six hours after it. It's ridiculous really. Your video has made me see I need to make changes. Thank you

[@WhoAmI2YouNow]

Wow I almost screamed when I heard you say "EDS", which I have. And it's so unknown. Thank you for your positive vibes, it helps😊

[@ByeByeBelly]

Good tips. Looks like you have a really good attitude towards everything. I'm negative as hell about my health issues. I try not to be and I force myself to do things (work, clean house, small walks etc), but my underlying attitude is pretty bleak and I cry every 2nd day. I notice I'm becoming incredibly irritable as my health issues are worsening as well. I used to make videos about how I honestly felt, but I feel like people only want to hear about positive concepts (understandably) so I record what I'm going through and then delete it and don't include it in my videos. At least it's a bit therapeutic to record it even if I delete it, haha. I'm sorry that you have your condition, it must be really hard to manage but seems like you have gained a lot of knowledge about self care and managing illness, and actually implement that. My way of coping was drinking too much alcohol, eating junk, smoking and other harmful things, but I'm seriously trying to address that now. I quit smoking a few weeks ago. My health got quite a bit worse lately to the point I've been off work for 2 weeks. I've always been able to show up at work no matter how awful I feel, but I'm off now as the pain and balance issues are too extreme, plus been having vision loss problems which could make working or driving dangerous. I usually spend my days trying to pretend I'm okay so this is the first time I've ever been like, I'm not well enough to continue. I know I've only been off work for a very short time, but I agree it really affects you mentally to not be working and it's a good idea to develop some form of routine. I always felt like if I'm still going to work then I'm still in control. Because even psychologists said if I'm still going to work then I'm clearly okay, so I just exhausted myself by working and never taking any leave. I don't recommend that haha. I've come to realise that your ability to work does NOT define you as a person or automatically mean you're okay or anything like that. I just get so tired of pain, nausea, dizziness, extreme fatigue (tends to go along with a lot of illnesses), to the point I just want to go postal and break everything I own... but I'm too tired to lol. I really need to work on my attitude like you. It could be a lot worse and I can still do a lot of things. But pain/nausea/dizziness/exhaustion combo makes me so depressed. I can do things but it's kind of like you're watching a movie of your life and not able to actually participate when you feel that shit. Thanks for the video and I'll try to use some of your tips and avoid being such a misery guts.

[@SamBosworthMusic]

Thanks for taking the time to write this! I know what you mean about people only wanting positivity. It's hard, while I have mainly done videos on positive topics I do plan to make vidoes about my struggles with mental health and depression I have been through the same thing to cope. I can see now I was an alcoholic for a good 3-4 years. I would drink alot every day and go to bed completely hammered. Coming up on 3 and a half years sober now. It was hard but I feel a lot better for it. As for what you said about working, if you feel yourself struggling you're doing the right thing in taking time off. Also I disagree with your psychologist, if you're working and it's affecting you alot that doesn't make you ok. You're doing the right thing listening to your body. You can still feel like you have worth even if you have to stop working entirely. It's a difficult transition but it is definitely doable. Thanks so much again for sharing your story and I hope things get better for you :) (also just checked out your channel and subscribed!)

[@deadly_embers_6296]

I think you're very brave posting this and understand where you're coming from. I've had spina bifida since birth but the last few years I've been really bad and started walking with aids. The pain is awful and 8 surgeries in the past 3 years hasn't helped either. For me it's very difficult to balance the positivity with being realistic about what I can actually do on a day to day basis. Anyway you're not alone I think I have a similar mindset 😁

[@boundariessetinstone5893]

@@SamBosworthMusic How is it doable if you can’t afford somewhere to live. So many disabled ppl are homeless cause their bodies won’t let them work.

[@timmyturner8893]

I had everything I wanted literally everything. I was the protege child after my back injury everything when down hill recently start losing the ability to walk its the most stress full thing ever. I don’t consider myself mentally weak but this is certainly fucking me up mentally. I don’t want to change my lifestyle because that’s what makes me, ME! Im losing hope and ready to give up. I never even got to see my 30s. For all of you that overcome your disability your automatically 100x stronger than your average joe. Good luck

[@PeterDful]

Thanks for posting this Sam. I had a septicaemia attack last year December, I spent months in hospital, and now I’m bedbound at home. I’m 55 years old and a single parent with two small children. I’m really battling with the arthritis and gout that attacked almost every joint in my body. I only have use of my right hand, and have to rely on other people to do all the running around for me, living in Johannesburg they are not a lot of options to fall back on. But once again thanks for posting I’m definitely going to look at more of your videos. From Peter in Johannesburg

[@amandagordon3915]

Thanks for this video. I'm still trying to find some hobbies at the moment and an ongoing routine and I think once I do it'll make a huge impact on my happiness. I'm definitely still trying to come to terms with my disability 4 years later. Pushing myself too far is definitely an issue for me. Thanks for the advice

[@SamBosworthMusic]

Glad you got some advice from this! It is definitely a transition, I've been 'severely' disabled now for 5+ years and I'm still coming to terms. I'm far from perfect when it comes tot hat but it's a constant transition. We will both get there :)

[@IgN5P]

Your optimism is contagious. Thank you.

[@Michelle-qd9gm]

It’s hard when your in pain all the time

[@boundariessetinstone5893]

Or at risk for being homeless cause you can’t work.

[@genevieved6743]

Thank you! Super helpful video!!!

[@zackrohn]

Hey Sam! Great advice here. I've also found that finding disabled community to be the most helpful thing for me, and am also a bit shocked no one really talked to me about it a long time ago. Wondering who else you really enjoy on youtube? Thanks!

[@juliasharon5337]

i am disabled too since college. i am now 53. my father passed five years ago and now i am taking care of my elderly mom. i go day to day but it is very difficult

[@PeterDful]

Brave you. Well done

[@angiegolding6664]

Great to see you so chirpy and animated 😁

[@ericgroovenhoff9913]

good tips. Much appreciated. PS you look like the third Property Brother lol

[@justinleclair4222]

Solid advice all around and I was happy to hear you throw in the hotline stuff at the end, that's what first helped knock me out of my funk while dealing with not being able to work at first. @Sam Bosworth Have you heard of a book called "Lost Connections"-Johann Hari? It was a recommendation from my therapist, has some really interesting perspectives about depression and the potential causes which IMO link very closely to us chronically ill. If you haven't I definitely recommend it as it's one of the few books I've been able to complete the last 7 years since I got ill. Thanks for the very authentic video and sharing!

[@SamBosworthMusic]

Yeah when my mum died when I was 16, those kind of helplines were super helpful and helped me a lot. I have not heard of that book but from the sounds of it I should definitely read it, thank you for the recommendation and the comment, have a great day! :)

[@AprilHoney]

I love this video. I crochet and knit nowadays (was a dancer in my mobile days) and was curious what yarn you used for the hat? Y husband likes the color.

[@CamelDance]

Is there a cat in the room behind you?

[@boundariessetinstone5893]

But how do you enjoy life if you can’t financially take care of yourself and family. I’m so scared if I’m not able to work soon. #Godhelpus 🙏🏼