Why Don't We Care About Disabled People?

What problems has the pandemic unearthed among disabled communities? Could long-Covid become a mass-disabling event?
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[@TessaFillmore9009]

It’s impossible to think about the poverty that disabled people are forced into without getting angry.

[@fizzzycat4389]

I cry SEVERAL times a week because it always feels like I’m barely scraping by. I just want to scream cry when I think about it. We deserve more dignity than this

[@KBish]

Agreed!

[@beepboop4016]

Eh my father could be homeless and I wouldn’t care less bc I’m so done with being in the middle and even caring anymore. Plus my dad uses his “poorness” to guilt trip me when my mans played basketball but won’t even get a sitting job. He’s “disabled”

[@inkdrip]

The fact that millions of disabled folks can't get married or they lose their federal disability benefits.. even if they're unable to work, their partner makes minimum wage, and they have exorbitant healthcare costs...

[@oliviawood9854]

I have accepted that I will most likely be living with my parents for the rest of my life. And the fact that housing prices are increasing how does that help.

[@staciemjenkins]

I'm so used to disabled ppl being invisible or an inconvenience in America that I just accepted it. Then I travelled to Denmark for work, and the difference was staggering. The airports alone are good representation of my point. Being "ushered" in a wheelchair by airport staff in the US is humiliating. They park you in a corner or by a wall and forget about you. Landing in Denmark, they ushered me to LOUNGE FOR THE DISABLED, staffed by folks with medical training and automatically handled my shuttle trip (on a vehicle for the disabled) for my connecting flight. AMAZING. Now I know my country can do better.

[@duhnay]

Wow thank you for sharing this. Knowing that only reinforces the idea that some day I may want to move to a country that doesn't see me as a burden as a disabled person

[@silverwolf8568]

It is so obvious the disabled are a "burden" to the taxpayers. Barely anything to live off like the interview mentions. Should also include the Senior citizens in that case... Everything costs way too much for what we are expected to live within.

[@silverwolf8568]

I should add.. the U.S should be pushing to DO BETTER overall. Always the Politicians priorities, when was the last time the citizens in the U.S actually had a voice... I think I may be too young 😆. We need younger Politicians in office (average age of Politicians is 64).

[@MiniNymph]

It can very so much from airport to airport - I travel a fair bit within the UK on my own, initially just as an autistic person needing help, now as a limited mobility long covid person, and I still end up having a panic attack in familiar airports becuase the support varries so much!

[@MaryJane-tp3qd]

I went to an airport recently where they had flat moving floor going both directions every few feet that lasted longer Than the breaks, now I’m wondering if that’s ever something that you personally use when you go?

[@LobbsterSockrates]

the most angering conversation with my dad the other day was when we were talking about disability and my dad just said "You can't just wait for someone else to help you, you have to help yourself. Everyone has things in life they have to learn to overcome" and I said, "but some people DON'T overcome it. People have DIED. They didn't learn to live with it, they DIED because they didn't get the help they needed" and he replied, "Those are just people who have given up" How ignorant to believe that those who suffer are just people who aren't trying hard enough? How ignorant to think your privilege was earned because you had better work ethic. How insane to attach sickness to a MORAL failing. But if that's the case, it makes sense why some people would just...be ok with disabled people dying. Some people TRULY don't understand how disability affects you, how much harder society makes it to be disabled. It's insane how completely misinformed some people are. Disabled education needs to be around more because the more ignorant people are, the harder it is to create change.

[@LobbsterSockrates]

It's crazy how many people think their privilege was EARNED and not something they were given by pure luck

[@andyrew1670]

They just don't want to believe that bad things can happen to them. They might say, logically, that suffering is randomly distributed. But deep down they think that bad things only happen if you didn't do the right things to avoid it. A bit more empathy would show that it could happen to anyone and let them imagine what it would be like if it happened to them. But they don't do that. They cope with the feeling of it potentially happening to them by pushing it away and saying the person did something wrong to deserve it. Anything else would force them to reconsider their whole worldview, and that is something that many people are simply unwilling to face.

[@HaydenHaystackArts]

Honestly, so what if they gave up? They gave it their all until they couldn't. Or until their all just didn't make a difference at all. I'm not saying he was right, but even if he were, it's a shame to judge anyone for giving up.

[@mikeoglesbee6861]

its true as an amputee with chronic phantom limb pain ya gotta try harder. It sucks but it is what it is root hog or die

[@KM-ek9or]

the mindset of "everyone should have to suffer at least as much as I do (even if others are willing to help them). I don't want my accomplishments overshadowed." Maybe "They should be punished because they get more attention than I did..?"

[@Jeremy-vp8bd]

The pandemic started when I was 16, living at home, with my immunocompromised and disabled mother. For a while we were ok, my family all helped each other out, my mom had done a lot of working from home anyway, and we are still able to get groceries delivered as of now. The problem really came when the world “resumed” and we couldn’t. I was forced back into a huge in person public school after 2020, forced to continue to attend after mask mandates were lifted, and the lack of compassion is what really floored me. When my classmates stopped wearing masks around me, even as I begged them to help me keep my mother from dying, they would act like I was being selfish and rude or somehow slighting them. The only thing I have tried to do for this entire pandemic is keep my mother safe, and somehow that makes me selfish in a midwestern public school. I hate this country sometimes for the absolute lack of compassion it has shown towards disabled people as a whole. I’m leaving for school, and I might permanently relocate to a different country as a direct result of the things I have experienced trying to help my mom function here. Everything from trying to work with disability benefits (denied to my mother because she cannot afford to be unemployed for months just to qualify) to begging people to wear masks in public I am just so done. I know it might not be much better anywhere else, but I’m so tired of trying to live with the way that America treats people with disabilities that at this point I am just desperate to move away and try to get my mom into a better situation. Anyway, sorry for the rant, and thanks to anyone who read all of this. I guess I just wanted to scream into the void lol.

[@johannageisel5390]

It's somewhat better in Germany. I'm sorry you had to go through this. :( I always wish there was a huge protest march of disabled and chronically ill people and their carers, loved ones, overworked medical staff and allies. Some way of showing that disabled people are not just a handfull of humans somewhere in a secluded safe space, but rather a significant part of society who tries to live and function within that society. Let there be riots!

[@33melonpaws77]

America is a selfish place. Many countries would be happy to have a compassionate and intelligent person like you as a citizen.

[@cyal3400]

@@33melonpaws77 thats capitalism for ya

[@itlugannipotpot5508]

I'm so sorry you had to go through this. And you don't need to apologize for ranting, your voice needs to be heard. God bless you and your family! ^^

[@blushandsky]

your anger is justified and heard. this world and so many people in it are fucked up. I hope that it gets better, for the sake of all of us. best to you and your mom!

[@jessicawilson8240]

The whole idea of “it’s fine, it’s only affecting people with pre existing conditions” has always pissed me off so much… even my brother got caught up in that at one point, neglecting to consider that he himself is an asthmatic smoker and was probably in one of those risk categories. First of all, someone’s life isn’t worth less just because they’re old or sick or disabled but second… Covid literally doesn’t give a shit. Sure, the chances of serious illness or death are higher with pre existing conditions but it’s also killed plenty of young healthy people. I work in fast food, largely in the drive through and have 2 school aged children and frankly it’s barely short of a miracle that it took the 3 of us until last month to get it. Also, the stats on Covid reactivating dormant viruses makes so much sense now… in retrospect, other than being phlegmy for a while before I started to properly feel sick, my first sign I was starting to get sick was a MASSIVE cold sore coming up.

[@Tasmanaut]

absolute load of hogwash.

[@scarlet22691]

When that first started I had a coworker say he wasn’t worried about it because it was “only” affecting people with preexisting conditions. Deadass threw down my headset, looked him in the eye and said “you have ASTHMA.” I think people forget that basically anything counts as a preexisting condition, and that we’re all a lot closer to being disabled than we think.

[@nyandoesthings]

@@scarlet22691 My little brother has severe asthma (i have asthma as well, but I've never been hospitalized for it and he is at least three times a year). Obviously in the start, it wasn't affecting young children. But I was so extremely angry as well. They speculated that it could someday mutate to include kids, I didn't know how long this all would last and it might last long enough for him to not be a kid anymore. And people were just okay with risking his life. Even if it started affecting kids someday, I knew then it would be the same bullshit. I could be attending the funeral of my brother who is nine years my junior before I hit adulthood. Then when I had COVID it worked together with my asthma and an old lung infection to nearly take me out. I was lucky to have survived. I just have mild asthma and a lung infection from 2016. It doesn't take that much. It's not "immunocomprimised" its "preexisting condition" period.

[@Atreides42]

My mother said it to me early in the pandemic. My little sister - one of my favorite people in the world, and My Mother's FAVORITE - is a chronically ill cancer survivor. (She was actively in treatment at the time. Yay Remission!) Mother stuck with the opinion, even after I pointed out that she was talking about her own child, insisting my sister isn't "ACTUALLY disabled." It has fundamentally changed my relationship with her, and changed how I engage now with what SEEMS like passive [what I may not have noticed before or dismissed as "harmless"] ablism. (Also shoutout to my friends who are disabled - especially Kelas and Rob - who've been amazing resources and willing to talk about this subject with me when I've asked). *Edit, wording/typo

[@katehessler5214]

@@Atreides42 My dad is still saying this, two years in. When I told him my doctors actively disagree, he said "I'm not going to argue with you" as though it were opinion and not medical fact. My mom on the other hand, has been to Dr appointments with me and has seen how disabled I really am and is finally starting to believe that, BUT she still can't make the connection that it means we both still have to be truly careful. I've put my foot down, but all she can worry about is "You can't just stay in that apartment by yourself forever". Like I can't get her to understand that if I don't, I won't have this apartment because I won't have a job or be able to take care of myself if I get long covid on top of the issues I already have. People literally cannot comprehend the risk for us, and see it as less important than the inconvenience to them - even when it's their own children at risk.

[@otanuki4288]

I was diagnosed with autism from a very young age, and from the moment they found out, they taught me very early on how to deal with it. learning to socialize regardless, learning to tolerate overwhelming environments, etc. For years I thought that was all fine and well intended until one of my teachers once had a talk with me because a problem arose because of my autism. and what she told me boiled down to: employers don't want to hire autistic people, so it is very important that I can learn to behave in such a way that no one can tell I'm neurodivergent. and that talk still hurts to think about. it makes total sense in today's society, but it truly is so shitty. People don't wanna adjust themselves for neurodivergent people and WE are expected to mask it in order to have a chance at any decency in our lives. it's already hard enough to deal with ANY form of disability, may it be physical or mental, and the fact WE are the ones who have to get ourselves together so others don't have to be 'bothered' by it speaks volumes.

[@DragonKazooie89]

I’m on the spectrum too (diagnosed at 11) and I agree completely. I’m just lucky enough to still have my job for over seven years because of meds, therapy and I’m such a hard worker.

[@jcarson9208]

Thank you both for commenting on here! I was going to ask if it is physically disabilities or all disabilities. I have mental health issues, I think which stem from my intellectual disabilities or DIFFERENT ABILITIES! I like that phrase bc ppl think their is something wrong with others with disabilities; whether it be physically, intellectual, and so on. No, we are all humans being and EVERYONE DESERVES TO BE TREATED WITH RESPECT AND LOVE! 🤗 I was recently diagnosed with ASD, ADHD, Dyslexia. Along with mental issues: Depression, Anxiety, OCD, etc. I was so happy to be able to find out what is going on! Especially since my youngest brother and second oldest nephew are also on the Spectrum. I am finally happy to have the answers and finding outsources. Thank you Zach, Miles, and all who were on this video. Also, for sharing your experience, knowledge, and courage in this video! Thank you for shedding light on disabilities of all kind and the pandemic and how COVID-19 has impacted those who disabled. P.S. I had Covid about two months ago and it was scary bc I have tried so hard to not get it when ever else did. I was so happy that my brother who is immune compromised made it through his covid infection. My mom was battling covid on top of health issue, but she made it. I just hate this virus more than anything because it has hurt, continue to hurt, and killed so many all over the world.

[@CookieBear187]

This!!

[@k-aw-teksleepysageuni8181]

It's not just that way for autistic either. As a sufferer of severe chronic pain, I read this and can relate in so many way...People just assume I'm fine, even when I might be sitting at an 5/10 on the pain scale (difficult to concentrate, normal activities hurt to do.). I have been berated for not mowing a 1 acre property in the blazing heat on a hill, because I had a metal bar in my rib cage and was in a lot of tender pain. The kind the you can FEEL will get worse if you do physical stuff and potentially leave you crying for death or some strong pain killers. All disabled people, especially those with invisible illnesses are expected to mask, or hide from society because of how toxic capitalism has made the minds of your average serf... People used to have no moral problems accepting and taking care of their disabled family/friends but nowadays it's been poisoned by the idea that we aren't "worth it"...What is "worth" in todays age... MONETARY VALUE. CAPITAL. HOW MUCH YOU CAN MAKE/PROVIDE IN LUXURY/MONEY TO YOUR IMMEDIATE CIRCLE... This planet makes me sick....

[@lucyandecember2843]

o.o

[@pickles5874]

When Zach talked openly about his Ankylosis Spondylitis and the symptoms made me research more about it. I was able to question the doctors, and then the doctors finally diagnosed my mom. Otherwise the only solution for them was that 'My mom is growing old and women go through such pain'

[@ShanaLawson]

As a disabled person myself I’ve gotten to the point I’m just tired of doctors. I feel like I’m doing their job more than they are. I want their diplomas 😡. I’m 35 and have been ignored the whole time. I keep getting told I need to “advocate for myself” but all I hear is, “you need to do their job for them” 🙄

[@pearlygirl88]

@@ShanaLawson the number of doctors who have gotten mad at me because I know as much if not more than them is astonishing. I have shown up to appointments with medical journals in hand and have highlighted and marked the important parts. And they still won’t go outside of their own ego. I was close to taking a swing at a neurosurgeon with my cane a month ago. I’ve been treated as sub human since I got sick but that man took the cake.

[@oli_kate]

Gosh it's validating to hear other people's experience with the predisposal the medical community has towards patients and actually finding out what's wrong with them and truly helping them. But it's also really depressing to know how widespread this is. Whenever I bring my journey (feels like a far too positive word for a difficult, depressing part of my life) up, someone has a story about their own struggles with getting help or their family member or friend's struggles. I'm starting to wonder how anyone gets diagnosed or gets help ever and how many more young women like me are being told they have anxiety and that is it and basically being told to f off Phew okay breathe Kate. Can you tell I harbor a lot of anger and resentment towards the medical community? Anyway okay I hope that everyone reading this has a lovely day 💕🌻

[@FlagCutie]

That is so effin frustrating! Your mom is lucky to have you to advocate for her!

[@AOleander]

Me too-it’s what made me realize I might have AS. I sought a diagnosis and soon found out my suspicions were correct.

[@zoebailey1062]

Don’t know if anyone will even read this but this is my story about disabilities and covid. I went to school online like many people and stayed virtual because my sister is a diabetic. School became harder. I have always gotten As and I started to struggle. I have Autism and my 504 was taken away from me because of my good grades even though my 504 wasn’t necessarily pertaining to my grades but I digress. My teachers would want mics on during tests and it was hard for me as I would get sensory overload as people would have dogs barking, people talking, and fans in the background. For me it was very distracting. When I asked my teacher to assist me and let me take it in a different zoom she would not let me and my grade dropped. So finally I fought to get my 504 renewed. Although it ended well for me, this shouldn’t have happened and things could happen in the future. Not even myself but it was infuriating when people were being ignorant as it put my sister in immediate danger. Also thank you for this video, really thank you.

[@Ikine557]

I'm really sorry to hear that happened to you. I also got "undiagnosed" with ADHD because I was too high of a performer. They assumed I grew out of it 😑

[@lisaharris452]

That wasn't a fight you should have had to take up! Could she not have your zoom window up along with other students, or? What's the purpose of mics on during a test anyway? I'm not autistic but I struggle with sensory overload in grocery stores, wherever there's music/noise and people are zipping around on unpredictable paths. I also struggle to speak on the phone with people who talk to their pets, answer the door, say hi to the neighbor, etc. My auditory processing is really strained when I can't see people's faces, it takes so much concentration, and some of the loud sounds are physically painful. I'm very glad you got what you needed . . . self-advocacy is one of the most important skills in this life.

[@wendy645]

How very frustrating!! I'm so glad you were able to get your 504 straightened out - but hard-won. 😔❤️

[@cassthehobbit9841]

My school never gave me 504 cause they said my grades were too good…I almost failed math that same year (I have adhd and dyslexia)

[@maplesciroppo8383]

@@Ikine557 Oh, so Adult ADHD is not a thing anymore? Wow... At the end of the day, we know our symptoms the best and people should really stop gaslighting us

[@supimjusthere7774]

The fact that they added depression to the list of a disability really touched my heart. So, many people say just to get over it or that you're lazy. So, reading that really surprised me and actually brought me to tears. Thank you for bringing this topic up.

[@tinykittenlollipop1]

I'm 28, I was considered disabled at 15. This was after 3 years of constantly being in and out of mental health hospitals and a lawyer after initially being denied to even get on disability with mental illnesses. I'm glad they are counting mental illnesses that are super severe as a disability, because, it can and does affect people like crazy. It's not being lazy, at all. I still get called lazy because of it, but, I know, I wouldn't be able to handle a full time job with my mental illnesses. Maybe someday, but not right now.

[@coda3223]

The concept of lazy is ableist.

[@bebadoll68]

There’s a lot more going on internally than people realize and it take all your energy 😵‍💫

[@wombat4583]

@@coda3223 I wouldn't say the concept of lazy is ableist but that some people use word in an ableist way.

[@coda3223]

@@wombat4583 How do you tell when it's one or the other?

[@SnakeEnthusiast]

My mom has hypothyroidism, and at the start of the pandemic she told me and my siblings “If I get sick, do not call any doctors. Don’t take me to the hospital. They’ll kill me faster than Covid will.”

[@emberann4]

That is literally terrifying

[@WhisperingMoon83]

Omgosh that is heartbreaking, and scary, and angering all at once. I cannot imagine

[@nicci337]

lots of research says covid impacts the pituitary gland in people without medical conditions if you have thyroid or endocrine problems it has a huge impact i've been dealing with post covid hashimotos and yes my experience at ed with covid was terrifying and on one occasion because of gaslighting even though my condition is genetic the treatment they gave me could have killed me

[@TiffYG2133]

I have hyperthyroidism, asthma, high blood pressure and degenerative disc disease and I'm still terrified to even leave the house

[@nicci337]

@@TiffYG2133 i'm so sorry being outside and social contact is important for you health too its sucks that you are in that situation

[@thatonetrumpet205]

I’m a disabled, chronically ill teenager. I’ve had to express to loved ones that do not seem to care that I will be become very very ill, and could die, if I caught COVID. I’ve felt crazy, being the only one in my age range having to worry. Thank you so much for speaking on this. It is amazing to see a more main stream and well known creator to speak on this. I hope people can watch this and it’ll change their minds.

[@jackie_kyr]

I'm not immunocompromised but my parents are. I'm 22 yrs old but I'm also adopted and I don't know any of my family medical history. Granted I'm not in your position and I can't even begin to imagine how the pandemic has affected you, I can say that you are not the only one in your age range that has to worry about this. It's terrifying the amount of people our age (teens and people in their 20s, even 30s) that don't care about this pandemic or the importance of mask wearing. Just know that you're not alone. We wear our masks together and know that we're doing the right thing, not only for ourselves but for others who covid-19 could be fatal to.

[@elyseand]

truly. if feel like i’m talking to a wall bc i’m young and most my illness are invisible. and then bc im plus size, if i “lost weight” i wouldn’t be scared of getting covid as if my health issues aren’t genetic.

[@heyhoppy539]

It’s crazy, I myself am also a chronically Ill teenager and it’s a different world for us really, I was discriminated against by my school as they wouldn’t accommodate for me as my disability is autoimmune and not visible so they straight up acted like I didn’t have anything when we showed them my diagnosis, the amount of people who don’t care about us with Covid is insane, I feel like within kids our age at least for me personally it’s just my best friend and I against the world with this horrible stuff

[@organicklutz]

Sending you lots of love, Sam! I also feel your pain. At 15, I was diagnosed with Crohn's disease. At 18, I was diagnosed with PTSD. At 20, I was diagnosed with IBS, and the list of diagnoses goes on. I'm also on a ton of meds I need in order to live that make me immunocompromised. I'm turning 23 in September and I still can't believe all this crap is still going on. Shit needs to be done about all of this! I work in retail and we no longer require customers to wear masks, but even when we required masks, we couldn't enforce it because apparently the company making a few more dollars is worth more than our lives. I also have a conservative parent who just doesn't give a crap and has literally coughed on me and refuses to attend medical appointments with me if he has to wear a mask. I too am also thankful for Zach being a voice for the disabled - as clearly nothing is changing and we need to be LOUDER.

[@bunnyboo6295]

@@elyseand People like to blame the weight yet many times its a condition that causes weight gain not the other way around

[@MollyBurkeOfficial]

Thank you Zach

[@LifeMuchAppreciated]

I watch both of your channels, love seeing the support between amazing creators ❤️

[@469ka37]

I'm an EMT and I can confirm how the medical community views disabled people. Last year in August my family had an outbreak of covid of the 5 people hospitalized only one survived. The one that survived had the least amount of pre-existing conditions, but let me tell you he does now. So my experience from this is mostly involving people on ventilators. So I work for an IFT company that takes a lot of people to and from dialysis and a good portion of those people are on vents. So I personally know that you can live your life with a ventilator and that it mostly gives your body time to heal itself while not having to stress your lungs. My uncle, the one that survived hospitalization, who now is walking, talking and without a trach or vent, his wife was pressured by doctors to take him off the vent 18 days in. She clearly said no and we're all thankful for it, but had she listened to that doctor he would have for surely died. Next one, my grandma who didn't make it. She was on a vent for about 2 weeks before they started calling us MULTIPLE TIMES A DAY to take her off the vent. The pressure you with the line _stop prolonging her suffering_ and unfortunately we listened. Her ashes are in our house along with the other 3 people who died because there's a major back up with burial, not to mention we couldn't afford it. The last story I have was a patient I had. It was a simple discharge to a SNF, however it was about 50 miles away. In those 50 miles his vitals started to tank so as per protocol I went code 3 and took him to the nearest hospital. When we got to the ER I almost regretted that decision because the response from almost every doctor who came to talk to us was _he's on a vent, there's not much we can do_ which honestly solidified what I knew which is that the medical community thinks once you're on a vent you should be dead instead of what it us which is giving your body time to heal itself. I don't know if that patient lived, or made it to the SNF, the nurse we left him with seemed to understand our concerns and take us seriously but that's one nurse who could just have been placating us. I'm any case, that's informed me on how a lot of doctors and nurses think of disabled people which is that their lives would be better if dead and they think living disabled is "prolonging their suffering".

[@brooke_reiverrose2949]

I’m so sorry. And thank you.

[@elizabethgalicia-pigg2093]

Thank you for sharing. And I'm so sorry for all the losses in your family. Sending strength and peace as you grieve and process through all this. 😔

[@samanthajade3782]

God, I've met some great nurses and some horrible ones. The fact that this mindset is so prevalent in the medical field is disgusting. If you don't want to put in the effort to do what it takes to keep someone alive long enough to heal, then get the f out of the medical field. Go be a court jester because your life and attitude is a joke. Edit: I am so sorry for your loss(es) due to inept medical professionals. I hope you are okay. I don't know you but I love you, because as a human you deserve it❤

[@spacebar9733]

Yes, I just watched a video that said hospitals were harassing families of older, immunocompromised, and disabled people telling them to let them go in order to get more space in the hospitals for others.

[@469ka37]

@@spacebar9733 having experienced it first hand I'm glad that my intense feeling that they were killing my grandma to free up space in the ICU wasn't us being paranoid but what was actually going on.

[@cathy987100]

From day one, I understood that wearing a mask was not only for my protection, but to help keep those with weakened or compromised immune systems safer. Whenever I hear people whining about what an inconvenience it is to have to wear a mask, I realize just how many selfish people there are in the world. It's a mask, for crying out loud. Those of us who are not disabled (and there are many of us) have an opportunity to use our ability for the greater good of the world. And on a side note, happy to see a fellow Canadian in this video!

[@EssentialBlue]

It's "just" a mask it easy to say. There are people that can't wear them. Here they got problems with the police if they didn't wear them even if they had a note from their doctor. I am glad that we finally got a break on June 1st. The FFP2 masks that we in Austria wore for 2 (3?) years only made me chronically lightly sick - always coughing - until I began to take vitamins for my weak immune system. It is proven that after a few minutes wearing such a mask the air inside of the mask is the same as outside the mask (and covid is lots smaller than any mask holes). The only difference is that you are breathing through plastic and breathing in most of the air that you breathed out before. The negative point is that the plastic gets in your lungs, your body and stay there - we are looking forward to lots of people with cancer because of this. Especially the disabled but ultimately ALL people were left alone with covid. After more than two years with this Austria's only plan is still to test yourself for covid and when the test is positive you go in quarantine. And then nothing. This is NO plan. I hope it is a bit better in America - it doesn't really sound like it. I don't think it fair to say that anyone should sacrifice their health for someone else. They said it in their ads for vaccines (do it for the greater good/ do it for your grandparents / do it so you can have fun) and it only made more people miserable and the vaccine even made some ill. All around the world lots of cures, already existing medicines or methods for prevention of covid were found but we are (still) not allowed to use any because there is a contract for a vaccine that says so (that is not working properly but making some people ill). Politicans and the pharma profit from this, we not. They should tell us what to do but they won't because they like us weak and dependent, using their bad solutions because there is no other. Sorry for ranting, this is not against you personally. I just wanted to tell my opinion.

[@cathy987100]

@@EssentialBlue I understand; my point of view includes those who can wear masks with no issue. Because there are people who can't get vaccinated, can't wear masks, or who have compromised or weakened immune systems, those of us who don't check any of those boxes, I believe we have a responsibility. I hope that makes sense.

[@k-aw-teksleepysageuni8181]

TBH... I wish masks were MORE effective... Then I could feel GOOD about WANTING MORE Covid-19 so it would....remove...all the mask less troglodytes from this planet....... The world might actually start to be a better place then....

[@aloassmith9183]

I am a disabled veteran. And it hit home for me when you guys talked about losing social security. I feel like I can't marry the love of my life. Bc I will lose my social security simply for getting married. It's extremely stressful living in poverty and depressing too. I wish I was allowed to get married and still keep my income.

[@gabrielleg.1347]

it is so wrong and ableist that they wont let us marry! I feel the same way. I plan to do a wedding ceremony but just not do the paperwork to make it legal. But at least we will be seen as married in the eyes of our friends and family and with each other.

[@qwandary]

@@gabrielleg.1347 That sounds like the kinda worthwhile marriage, one in spirit, not legal BS. Good for you. :)

[@mza2195]

It’s why older people ‘shack up’ instead of getting married. That way they keep their benefits and get to be with who they love. If it’s good enough for grandma and grandpa, it should be good enough for you.

[@jaydenp4975]

Marriage is overrated and unnecessary

[@ssansu]

@@jaydenp4975 No it isn't. Marriage gives rights that just living together does not. I've known many people who found that out the hard way.

[@Crypt-Kitty]

I remember crying in a store when the virus was really raging, before vaccines. I was one of the few people wearing a mask, and I couldn't stop thinking "They don't care if I die."

[@jaydenp4975]

I was at a store an hour ago and a maskless drunk old man came in and mocked me for wearing a mask. It’s crazy.

[@violeta6846]

To be fair they didn't care if their family died either

[@bleuefish]

They really don't. I'm sorry and I know that feeling

[@cleigh3796]

irrational thinking lol

[@mollyallen2400]

Me too. I started wearing masks early on and I have a service dog. I got a lot of stares... and I'm getting stares now when I'm still wearing masks when most other people aren't. I was mocked/laughed at once to the point of a panic attack. I had just gotten my service dog months before, so I felt even more "othered" than before I had her, but thank goodness she was there. This video is really meaningful to me.

[@alosialee]

"if you're disabled and need social assistance, you are supposed to be poor" This. A thousand times this. My oldest is developmentally disabled and immunocompromised. She has SVID along with a plethora of other health conditions and cognitive delays. There isn't any way for her to work but even if any of us work and try and save money as soon as we hit a certain amount in savings here which is like maybe 2 grand, she loses her disability. All of it. That 2 grand savings is supposed to make up for food, care, medical supplies and needs and costs. Except here's the thing. She has a medication she takes weekly through subq injections. That medication costs 15 grand a month. In order for us to continue qualifying to receive it through social security for her we basically all need to stay poor. We need to make the choice not to work otherwise all that expensive medical cost suddenly is something we no longer have access to andy daughter dies. They like to say nobody wants to work because they would rather stay in the system but when the choices you are given are work and live in poverty and can't afford your medical coverage or don't work and live in poverty but at least you can live because your medical needs are cared for it doesn't take a genius to figure out which choice is going to get made and why. But yet it's looked down upon. It's essentially looked down upon to have a desire for survival when those are the choices being given. Survive by whatever means or don't.

[@strangersontheinternet]

I agree with this so much! I‘m an adult, also disabled and unable to work. I live with my parents and cannot move out because I can’t get support/assistance because my parents make more than 5k a month together… which like (???) They don’t pay me to be their child yk 😅😅 I really don’t understand what the health care system thinks when they make rules like that…

[@kimberlyb6095]

Honestly just 🖕the system and make cash and don’t put it in the bank. Obviously this isn’t a perfect solution because it’s technically illegal, but do what you have to do to survive in the meantime

[@alosialee]

@@kimberlyb6095 that's kinda my point though. It's what a lot of people do. The idea of the welfare queen is not the way it gets spun. Yes there is that minor 1% that truly abuse it just to do so but most work, or want to work, and most have side hustles where cash is made and stashed in order to make ends meet and save in alternative ways to pay medical costs still not covered by social security and the like among other needs like emergency car repairs that social security does not take care of at all anyhow. But yet it's so looked down upon to survive in this way. A food for thought. The common rhetoric is that those on welfare and disability are pilfering from a system off the backs of others hard work. As I said before many still work on top of social security and most if not all work on welfare. So couldn't it also be argued that those with those big paychecks running big offices screaming welfare queens this and that are living off the backs of our wages, realistically are the ones paid off the backs of subordinates which happen to account for a significant portion of those you are trying to decry? I say you in a general sense btw not to say you specifically Kim. But yeah. Ain't no shame in the game as they say where I'm from. It's funny how tit for tat is only allowed when someone else is profiting from it.

[@EmiDucky]

Wow. Just wow. Hearing a story so personal and knowing something as utterly fucked up as this is true, I don’t even know what to say. Thank you for bringing awareness to all the bs that is possibly just the tip of the iceberg.

[@Kharmon_]

I have CVID and multiple other problems, the only people that see it is my family. Being a teen and wanting to interact with people but not being able too is very scary.

[@mr.moviemafia]

My disabled fiancé and I are HUGE “Try Guys” fans, and this is something we talk about almost on a daily basis. I’m so happy to hear you talking about this because it is INSANELY important 💚💙❤️💜

[@visionary202]

Agreed!

[@mirandaxx954]

I’m also disabled and have been fighting for disability for 2 years now. Finally got a lawyer after 2 denials. I’ve loved watching Zach’s journey because i also have “invisible” illnesses. Deciding to use the word and accept the fact I was disabled was very hard. It really opened my eyes over the pandemic to how poorly our healthcare system is as a whole, see how clearly we as disabled people were oppressed, denied medical services, and pushed to the side to be forgotten. I did a lot of deleting people on Facebook because the lack of basic human empathy unsettles me and personally offends me.

[@TheSuperBoyProject]

It's so cool to get the input of a cripple on the topic. Thank you so much ❤️🙏

[@pspspspspspspspsps]

how do you feel that zach seems to no longer care about the pandemic going on

[@Time4Teas]

I've learned about the social model of disability and it's so true and so infuriating. As an autistic person, I feel it so deeply that it's not autism that makes me disabled, it's society. Anyone with disabilities gets pushed down so much harder by society than they do by their body or mind being different. Thanks for this video.

[@qwandary]

I like to say that I suffer from neurotypicals, not autism. I love being autistic, but most neurotypicals wouldn't blame their own neurology if some heavy-footed asshole lacking self-awareness was stomping around upstairs, screaming into the void and demanding they answer pointless riddles before they'd let them pass them in the hallway. I think it's pretty reasonable to have autistic meltdowns in a bright, loud environment where people speak in riddles and degrade you for not playing along. I'd hate to be NT; honestly, I feel bad for them.

[@pinkmoonrabbit2072]

yes. you said it FULLY. as a person with a chronic illness, i relate to you SO MUCH. i was just saying this to my partner today. Its not my disability thats the problem, its the country i am in that MAKES disability the problem. and thats so wretched. to purposefully make our lives worse because we are different. ive thought of takin my life, as i live in poverty and might be unhoused soon, but i dont want to give people the satisfaction of another "useless" person dead. the fight continues. they will not win.

[@astonic343]

I’m autistic too. I’m extremely smart and ahead in school, yet I constantly worry about whether I will ever be able to function in a society that is not understanding of my differences and uses my kind as an insult.

[@AKHV9708]

I hate that I always have to explain to others I have autism, etc and there were times, where I came across people that disbelief it, just cause I could talk fine to them, which dose upset me. Because I struggle with speech, etc yet I always try my best to speak as clear as much as I can, even right now. I've re written this several times and I doubt I am getting my point across, on how I feel ignored, etc

[@quasilesbianghostkiller]

as someone who can't get an official diagnosis bc I'm in a third world country and mental healthcare sucks, amen to that,, and when I found a system and livelihood that works for me, they still judge me

[@alexbosveld7092]

As someone who recently found out that I’m disabled, learning about all these stats severely pissed me off. Learning that aside from my boyfriend and friends, the vast majority of my country (America) doesn’t give a shit about me, made me break down. This pandemic, pre-diagnosis, made my mental health worse, let alone post-diagnosis. It really sucks to know that my country wants me to die.

[@liu.calazans]

And unfortunately it's not just your country. It's a problem that happens in the entire world. I am from Brazil and here isn't different. I follow a brazilian KZbin who is disabled and recently traveled to Europe and She said the same

[@charlidvds3296]

Here from Australia, same issues with non disabled people. They never handle it well, and when I was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes for my “safety” they took me to every class room to show my face to say I’m disabled. Let’s just say that didn’t work out well.

[@jillsarah7356]

It's very tough. I find that getting into online disability communities can help, bc other disabled ppl are the only ones who truly get it.

[@erinjensen8239]

There are some of us out here, advocating and pushing and still trying to do our best to care for others. I feel you. All the love.

[@Yukon_83]

That's America for ya 🥺😭😭 they Never did an won't care about us

[@ChiMom89]

Thank you so much for talking about this on your channel. As someone with “mild” cerebral palsy, im disabled enough to be a burden on the medical community but not disabled enough to qualify for any assistance or aid for even the simple things that I need, like physical therapy more than six times a year. Maybe more stuff like this, especially on a channel that isn't geared toward mainly the disabled community, will help the nondisabled community to see that we matter too.

[@happy1288]

woah your comment is yellow

[@ChiMom89]

@@happy1288 I wonder why 🤷‍♀️. On the KZbin app it’s white like all the others

[@tinyfroghag]

@@ChiMom89 it’s yellow because of your donation☺️

[@ChiMom89]

@@tinyfroghag oh! Thanks 😊

[@caroline3232]

My father is paraplegic and immunosuppressive. He is everything to me, and I would do anything to make him happy. So you can imagine how devastated I was when covid started making headlines everywhere. The media was acting as if people like my dad were irrelevant, that their lives didn't matter, that it would be better if they died instead of a "healthy person". I knew covid could (and probably would) potentially kill my dad, so me, my mom and my siblings went nuts about it. We stayed home for over a year, only leaving the house to do what we deemed as absolutely necessary. My dad didn't leave the house at all, and that, combined with everything that was going on with the world, has left him severely depressed. I was heartbroken. As someone who has dealt with depression before, I knew how much he was suffering, yet, I couldn't do anything about it. He couldn’t leave the house to start going to therapy, and he refused to have online sessions with a therapist. He slept all day, barely ate, and stayed in bed for over a year. It was probably one of the hardest moments of his life (and he has been through A LOT before), and I felt completely useless. The way our president (I'm from Brazil) was dealing with covid was downright sickening. For a while, I had no hope things would ever get better, because Bolsonaro is so f*cking ignorant and incompetent. It was infuriating, I knew my dad would never get better if we were still on lockdown (a self-inflicted one, since Bolsonaro refused to declare an official lockdown), and we wouldn't risk getting him out of the house until covid was under control. My dad only started to get better this year, now that covid is not that much of a threat as before since he's fully vaccinated, but I'll never forget how I felt in those two years. And neither will my dad. This video made me feel less alone, and I wish I could show it to my dad so he would feel understood (he doesn't speak English). Thank you for using your platform to about this, Zach. The way disabled people are treated worldwide is unacceptable, and we should do something about it. PS: you will always be my favorite try guy!! love ya

[@LauraAutumnJade]

I also have an immunosuppressed dad. I see you.

[@SelenaTroyeSL]

I PRAY that they translate this for your dad and everyone else ❤

[@Flo_etic]

God this is devestating to hear... I hope your dad will feel better soon and he can finally leave this dark part in the past❤️

[@trilobite-knight7746]

My dad is immunocompromised & my mom has chronic illnesses she needs to see doctors for regularly. She literally started camping in the backyard to quarantine after appointments to keep him safe. Meanwhile people aren't wearing masks at the grocery store still.

[@ambermistblood3079]

I think something that is overlooked in this conversation is how terrifying it is to be immunocompromised and still having to work retail/other high risk jobs through all of this. For some of us, leaving our already unsafe job was never an option, and having to be surrounded by covid deniers and people who are just "over it" has brought on a special kind of trauma. I feel like I'm failing not only myself, but all of my disabled friends and family by exposing myself, even though I've never stopped masking/distancing. I'm so tired of being lumped in with anti maskers just because I was never able to shelter in place, and I'm tired of living in guilt and fear.

[@prapanthebachelorette6803]

Good point here

[@carriehines4606]

I loved when Charis spoke about ppl signing with their hands and typing on their keyboards when referring to ppl advocating for themselves. It felt so inclusive in a way that is overlooked so often.

[@allister.trudel]

same

[@kimberlyb6095]

26:40 When he said “if I get mad at you and get angry, while that’s valid, I also know that to get mad is energy and energy… if you deplete all that then you get sick faster.” I felt that so deeply because in some ways I’ve had to try to ignore/not think about all of the issues because of the toll it takes on my health. I have Ankylosing Spondylitis like Zach as well as a few other conditions.

[@transplantman2287]

I’ve been exceptionally angry for a while over various things that have disenfranchised me as a disabled person, stuff that society and individuals have done to reduce my quality of life without a thought. But this line really hit home and made me realize that I need a better balance of valid anger (which helps me advocate for myself in tough situations) and not letting it consume me and my life.

[@kilime9059]

As someone without a physical disability, this was more eye opening than it should've been. These are the things I should've considered or realized but didn't. To everyone involved in the creation of this video, thank you for sharing these perspectives and this extremely important message.

[@lindscutie0756]

I agree 100%, I myself am not disabled but I know many disabled people, physically and mentally, but they all are young and live in loving, middle class families. I’ve never had to think about adults who live with disabilities and have to make a living by themselves, but I should have been. This video was seriously eye opening.

[@ElpSmith]

I personally don’t blame you. These things aren’t normally talked about but cheers to you for seeing us and acknowledging these issues. If you would like to learn more I would strongly recommend looking up Spoon Theory. It’s more about chronic illness than disability I think but the two overlap heavily

[@thatmack]

The most difficult part of this pandemic for myself is a disabled person is seeing how much people utterly *do not care* at ALL about the well-being of disabled people. It’s not strangers either. It’s my parents, it’s my sister, it’s my aunt and my uncle. It’s my friends and my family and my school and my teachers. It’s every person I’ve ever known or seen possibly deciding that wearing a mask under their nose was more important than the safety and lives of my people. It’s people expecting sympathy after becoming disabled due to long COVID, solely because they made the *choice* to continue to party and drink and hang out. It’s the fact that abled people think they’re the victim because they have to quarantine in order to keep people from dying. It’s because the phrase “You need to stop *killing* people with your ignorance” has become nothing but buzzwords that people brush off like an ad on KZbin. They. Do. Not. Care. They *do* not and will *never* care about disabled people. They do not care about us. We are expendable. We are worthless. We are lives to be sacrificed for the saccharine ignorance that the rest of the population prefers to live in. They will not recognize that our lives hold value, because to them, we are not human.

[@ShadoeLandman]

Sadly, I don't even think it's that people don't care about disabled people so much as people don't care about anyone.

[@lisaharris452]

@@ShadoeLandman Totally agree -- it's the idea of going even slightly out of one's way to prevent them from a dire illness is a giant imposition that no one could reasonably expect them to do. Disheartening in the extreme. We were never really locked down; a lot of places were closed but for the most part we could still get out for a walk / fresh air, buy groceries and meds and even those restrictions didn't last very long. The belligerence of people yelling and threatening bc someone else was wearing a mask . . .

[@AmFlora]

The lack of awareness and empathy for the lives of other people, especially in the U.S, has been just incredible in the last few years. Happily accepting death for other humans for the sake of your own personal "freedom" will never be something I can wrap my head around.

[@WhisperingMoon83]

I 100% agree… it really is disheartening. Like, my faith in humanity has taken a nosedive. It’s sad, there are many amazing people still here but the bad overshadow the good sometimes, I feel like

[@luciagianquitto4010]

​@@WhisperingMoon83 since 2020 my Faith in humanity crashed down on the floor

[@RKO1988]

They only care to the extent you make $$ for them if you don’t or can’t then they DGAF about you

[@Acidfrog475]

@@luciagianquitto4010 Same for me, and this is from a non-disabled perspective (I have chronic pains, but they are so localised they are relatively manageable so they don’t impact my life to the extent of a “full disability”), but watching this video truly showed how fucked up the situation is. I remembered the early drama with the lupus medication and how lupus patients were essentially swept under the rug, but it never fully registered the horror of it all until watching this video for me. This needs to be talked about, but sadly many non-disabled people can’t, or simply do not _want_ to, even attempt to understand how wrong this all is.

[@luciagianquitto4010]

@@Acidfrog475 as a non disabled person that had to take care of her old chronic ill and actively dieing grandmother (her issues worsened starting from 2019 and She died 5 moths ago) we were almost totally alone apart from things like the forniture of oxygen Tanks ( covid made It harder for her to access them) and the pills

[@Heatherrrrxxx]

I’m not disabled, but my daughter is. She has a chronic lung disease and is on a home ventilator. The past 6 years since having her have been a consistent battle to get her what she needs and deserves, but the past 2 years have been a constant battle just to keep her safe and alive. Thank you for this video!

[@user-tj8su5pl9d]

How hard that must be not only from a safety aspect but also because your daughter is even more excluded from normal life. :) I hope you are proud of yourself how you survived things! All the best!

[@TheSuperBoyProject]

Found one person who is actually disabled not some knitter with depression or something. Really sorry for your daughter

[@eunjikim4192]

@@TheSuperBoyProject depression can cause/make it hard for someone to do day to day tasks like brushing ur teeth or washing the dishes and such... dont use someone else's life and experience to talk ab ur disgusting attitude towards mental health. fucking weirdo

[@eunjikim4192]

big up to u and ur daughter. i hope shes getting better now

[@JennyMorash]

Thank you. As a blind woman, it sometimes feel like the disabled community doesn't get much of a voice. Both during the pandemic, and outside of it. I live in a world geared for people who can see. It's everywhere, and it's insidious. I put a brave face on it most of the time, but it can be really, really difficult sometimes.

[@brenikitawilliams4991]

I wish I had the answers and solutions for creating a better world for you. Please keep sharing your perspective, as it always reminds me to be aware of how privileged I am to have vision in a world that caters to it.

[@melodierosejoubert6273]

Hi there Jenny, I know exactly how you feel. I'm blind myself. It's hard living in a world that is completely for sighted people. I do the same as you, putting a brave face on most of the time, but it can just get so overwhelming. Know that there are others out there who understand. Hang in there. Love from 🇬🇧

[@Солнечныйсвет-ш2у]

My last born was born blind and is a high risk peds patient. It's awful hard especially out here in Alaska where we have limited resources for children like her. I hope and pray life gets easier for us all who live with a disability or have friends or family who are disabled.😭❤

[@janeeyre1990]

It helped me so much to learn about the concepts of disabled rights and disabled pride. I don't know if it has audio descriptions, but the documentary Lives Worth Living outlines the history of the disability rights movement in the US, from WWII to the 2000s. I also follow people like Lolo Spencer or Imani Barbarin who are physically disabled wheelchair users who are proudly disabled and advocate for disabled rights. I need to look up her name, but there is a blind British woman who does a lot of great content on KZbin. Mainly day-to-day stuff about her life, including barriers and ableism she has to deal with.

[@janeeyre1990]

Lucy Edwards is the KZbinr's name!

[@chelseyjames7793]

I work in a cancer center. When they changed the cdc guidelines in January that Healthcare employees can go to work while covid positive, I thought there was no way that would happen in my clinic.... then I got covid... I got my test done at work. When my manager called me with my results, in the same breath of telling me I was positive, she asked me if I could be at work the next day. I am also disabled. I have autism, depression, anxiety, a seizure disorder and a bleeding disorder among many others. I was so sick I could barely walk. My manager called me everyday to see if I was improving so I could return to work. I remember being so mad, not just because I literally felt like I was dying because I could barely breath... but mostly because she was asking me to go into a clinic, where our patients are actively receiving chemo and have no immune system, knowing I have covid... the pandemic has been crazy, I have watched many patients get covid and quickly dye because of the cancer care. I have watched the few luckily ones come out unscathed. I have watched many end up in the hospital on ventilators and miraculously live. And then January of 2022, I was asked to knowingly but my patients that I care so deeply about at risk. And also asked to not care about my own illness and recovery. I live with my husband and his best friend. Both were fairly unbothered by covid. Just a few days of symptoms. I was bed ridden for a week and had at least a week extra of recovery. And I was still lucky with how short it lasted. We need to care for our immunocompromised and disabled people! We are here and deserve to be treated better. And never should someone be asked to knowingly go into a clinic full of this demographic with covid!

[@Dancersmakeup]

I literally moved out because I am immunosuppressed and my parents aren’t taking it seriously. Thank you for making this video.

[@rosehill9537]

I cant imagine that situation Hope u are doing ok Evie. Sending love

[@ThatDataLady]

Yep, I moved out in the middle of 2020. It was a long time coming, and I was 20, but still. Best of luck to you.

[@teachercarli]

I would have had to do the same if I was your age. My family literally let my immunocompromised grandma die from COVID because they didn't care about precautions. I wanted to tell you that you are not alone.

[@deadinside8781]

I left because they were abusive and I was unwell because of it. I know how stressful and hard it is to restart. Take care of yourself. You're truly not alone.

[@noon4172]

Good luck, Evie, I wish you the best in your future!

[@pinkspaghetti1]

When i first got disabled, i had to drop out of a free-ride scholarship program, quit my job, and was bedridden for 2 years. we could not afford a nurse, or if we could, my family didnt get me one. I was eating less than a meal a day, barely sleeping from the constant pain, pain killers did almost nothing for me, and my doctors told me they didnt see anything wrong and told me to take ibuprofen. I felt like a piece of trash for no longer being useful and capable, a burden and a parasite leeching on other people. I was so frustrated, depressed, angry, and hopeless, and I told my mom if she ever felt burdened taking care of me, i would commit suicide and remove that burden for her. One thing i wish people knew was just how awful you feel, all the time, and how brainwashed someone like me, who was able bodied, was to be useful and to make money and take care of yourself, by yourself. My mom was really upset when i offered this, but i was more upset that i knew the rest of my life i would have no choice but to be supported by other people. I dont qualify for disability or food stamps, bc my mom makes too much money and shes supporting me, but she doesnt make THAT much, and she takes care of my grandfather who relies on a live in nurse aid 24/7 as well as herself and her husband. I dont WANT to have to rely on her income. I dont want to constantly feel like trash bc i cant "do anything". I feel this way because in our society, that is how it is. If you dont do anything, what good are you? I still am unlearning this toxic trash and trying to care about myself and value my life. Forget trying to fight for other people to value me, *I* dont even value me yet. And it sucks that us, the most tired, most suffering, most poor and uncared for people are the ones who have to fight the able bodied, healthy, living "normally" people for basic care and needs. Like, If i get any more illnesses, I could just die because i cant afford treatment. "Why are you so nihilistic and cynical?" I dont have time to have fun and relax, i am too busy surviving. I'm in pain. I'm tired. No one is going to help me, and there is no cure. How would you feel?

[@armerls]

Disabled person here, and I sobbed pretty nonstop during this podcast originally. Watching this cut again and bracing myself to feel so heard and so sad again

[@KT-bt4cv]

I completely agree!! I felt the same way!!

[@beccad8398]

I couldn’t stop either. I am also disabled. It’s so sad to feel so forgotten about; so left behind… even in Canada. 😢

[@aliciacole8677]

I can't bring myself to watch yet

[@DJNettyDarkfold]

I feel the same way. I'm a disabled person from Canada

[@anyght]

If you got that dislike, I am so sorry!! I wanted to click the replies and my hand jerked.

[@chaisorrowscfs]

I sporadically watch this channel and as someone who has POTS, ME/CFS & other disabilities I've been dealing with the horrible, traumatizing experience of coming to terms with the sheer amount I am avoided, abandoned, and the way people wish I didn't exist. I needed this video. Thank you

[@robinjennings88]

My daughter has pots. Prayers for you.

[@aluradeathwing4667]

Hello fellow potsie

[@lorrainemunoa791]

ME/CFS here too. You're not alone. We have to value each other even if a lot of people don't.

[@YeetusTheFetus]

I have POTS, chronic hemiplegic migraines, and a yet undiagnosed respiratory condition (I’ve taken sooo much tests), and I’m also diagnosed with autism, adhd, and a couple of mental illnesses. Disability is difficult to deal with on its own, but when you also factor into societal discrimination against disabled people, it’s even worse

[@katygettingwell]

Hi, I’m another ME/CFS and Fibro person 💙

[@ReturnOf2008]

So in March 2020, my perfectly healthy 20 something year old friend was diagnosed with cancer. The whole timeline of the pandemic I was able to see the disabled perspective of COVID and so I always was frustrated for the community when mask mandates were lifted. Thankfully she now cancer free but that’s not everyone’s scenario. Also I had an acquaintance that in early COVID passed away. When I mentioned that I knew a 28 year old had died - people always then ask “Well, was she already immunocompromised?” as if that validates or justified her death. I always looked at it as a person who shouldn’t died, died. The stigma against the disability community in the pandemic is terrible

[@t.w.7057]

Don’t think I’d be able to stop myself cussing them out in person if someone asked that 🙄

[@lizjenkin7170]

I'm so glad for your friend. :) Long may she be healthy and cancer-free! I had the exact same thing when I said that several people I knew (5 now?) had died from Covid, the only questions people asked were "Was it JUST Covid though?" "Did they have any other conditions?" "Were they old or disabled?" Some were, some weren't. What does it matter? Whose lives were worth more? The fact of the matter is that these people - however vulnerable - would not have died if they didn't get Covid. Maybe Covid killed them more easily because of other conditions, but Covid still killed them.

[@ReturnOf2008]

@@lizjenkin7170 so sorry for your losses. I think the worst part of the pandemic was it desensitized us from hearing about human life loss. Hopefully the pandemic eventually dies down and hopefully people remember the value of human life again

[@Unintended1225]

You have no idea how bad discrimination is in my town of Sandwich, MA. I’m disabled and was forced to resign from my job of 7 years because the principal and superintendent refused to give me my accommodations!! That was so heartbreaking for me as I deeply loved my job teaching the children.

[@tazhienunurbusinezz1703]

Did you sue? I would have

[@GeminiRust]

Please talk to a lawyer. I'm almost sure that's illegal, especially if it was reasonable.

[@Topaz_Estrella]

That's an ADA violation. Please talk to a lawyer. I know it's so hard to find lawyers who will take ADA cases but if it's as cut and dry as you're portraying it maybe either an org that advocates for the disabled or a firm with a probono allotment can help you.

[@SakuraMoonflower]

I think that falls under one of the Titles, like Title IX .... Refusing to accommodate for disabilities is illegal

[@SakuraMoonflower]

Call the Human Rights Campaign or the American Civil Liberties Union.

[@Pinktish]

I'm disabled (debilitating chronic pain, currently going through the autism assessment process) and Zach has been a huge reason for why I feel more comfortable using that label. I feel more comfortable being open about my needs and difficulties due to Zach, and I feel hopeful that I'll be able to actually have a good career and friend group like Zach does! I'm hoping to be a therapist with focus on disabled teens to help them like Zach has helped me. Sharing his story has been so therapeutic and empowering. It's no doubt hard to talk about, but I'm so happy he has, and I'm so happy that this puts a spotlight on more disabled voices.

[@Acidfrog475]

This is why representation is so important! I wish you the best of luck in your endeavours!

[@visionary202]

This is so wonderful. You are so inspiring. I am wishing you the absolute best in your pursuits!

[@StarFireLiz]

I have pretty severe heart issues so I have breathing issues on good days. And it was sad to see how many people act like wearing a mask or me wearing a mask is offensive to them when all I wanted to do was go to the store without getting something that would hospitalize me. And I think a lot of people, especially in America don't realize what hospitalization and getting chronic illnesses will do to them. I got sick in my 20s, which was when we discovered my heart issues along with a few other issues. I stayed in the hospital 3 nights and had two ultrasounds on my heart and the rest of the time I just hung out there while they got me on meds to try and get everything under control. It financially devastated me so badly that I'm in my mid 30s, so a decade later, I'm still struggling to get back on my feet.

[@PoppyMom1]

@StarFireLiz I just wanted you to know that I totally understand your experience, especially the breathing/masks etc. I’m thinking of you and I sincerely hope that everything will become easier for you ❤

[@ek7652]

I'm so glad that you're talking about this - as a disabled person myself and as a partner of a disabled person, while having a lot of disabled friends and some disabled loved ones. I have to admit that I only started watching the video, but I already almost want to cry tears of joy that someone is talking about this even when it's not the main focus on their channel. I know there are disabled creators out there, but they sadly usually don't have enough following (and their following is mostly disabled people who already know about this so it doesn't reach "new" people who could learn from it) and bigger creators are from time to time willing to talk about certain topics that aren't their main focus - but disabilities are rarely amongst them, sadly. Sometimes even disabled creators who don't have disability-focused platforms never talk about things like that (and I thought it's going to happen with this channel too - but in this case it would be more understandable since there are more try guys than just one). The pandemic revealed the already huge ableism in our society as they openly showed that they don't care about disabled people... not even talking about how it affected and delayed a lot of care... and I hate the gaslighting from doctors and therapists, calling some of us "hypersensitive" or "overly anxious" when we shelter and fear catching it because of our already fragile physical and mental health!

[@coda3223]

I got so excited to see Imani Barbarin and Charis Hill (who I follow on other platforms) in this video! "This is a mass disabling event" is something we in the disability community have been saying from the beginning... but it has felt like it's just a chorus of us shouting into the void and we're the only ones who can hear ourselves for sooooo long.

[@ek7652]

@@coda3223 Exactly! Like I said I feel like many disabled creators are followed by disabled followers and it basically felt like we're saying these things to ourselves all along. It didn't reach a lot of people that are completely outside of our 'bubble'... but I believe and hope that this video will!

[@kaylabeals8597]

I'm a bioethics student currently studying disability management, also a person with a disability, and I am so happy that you guys are talking about this. I have so much love and respect for you zach, please never stop using your voice to lift the unheard. I spent 3 years in premed preparing to be a doctor but I had so many issues as an intersectional person(bipoc, disabled woman) trying to get medical help that i completely shifted to healthcare ethics to address these problems. ‘If theres a fire youre trying to douse, you cant put it out from inside the house” Hamilton the musical

[@k-aw-teksleepysageuni8181]

I wish I had the strength and mental capacity to do such work....ALl I can do is succumb to my daily cortisol hit when I feel the rage of a thousand suns wanting to molotov every Mfer's house and office that is a eugenics, abililist, fake darwinist, nazi.....

[@Hannah-hx5sp]

"Only the sick/old are dying" at the very beginning of this video is literally the nail on the head and completely summarises how the disabled community have been treated throughout this entire pandemic.

[@Lara-rm3gs]

ONLY the sick/old. As if the sick/old are worth less than everyone else. So my worth is less than a healthy person because I got unlucky enough in the genetic lottery to get sick? It makes me so sad to hear people talk about others like they’re worth nothing.

[@LordofFullmetal]

Right? The dismissive way that's stated. Let me fix it for her: "People are dying". That's the important part of that sentence. I thought the whole reason we built civilisation was so that we didn't have to live in that world, where only the fittest survive. And now we're just creating it for ourselves.

[@Hannah-hx5sp]

​@@Lara-rm3gs yeah - "oh its only them" seems to be the general attitude (even though thats factually incorrect). Its a very difficult balance and a difficult conversation to have when it comes to removing restrictions and protections. On one hand our economy is basically crashing the longer it goes on (which affects like 90% of us) but on the other should we just lock away our high risk people to rot for like 4 years or however long it is til its over? And wearing masks is literally a tiny fkin thing 99% of the population could do just to reduce the risk. But o no my rights ._. I am of the disabled working population - people see you walking and talking, holding down a job and their ignorance assumes nothing is wrong with you. Cant tell you how many times i have been completely disregarded, and have had to disclose very personal information to what is basically strangers in the early stages of covid to ensure they would STAY AWAY from me. (i was not blessed with a job/employer that could facilitate remote working). Covid has changed me and how i view a lot of people in my life, most of it not for the better.

[@melanieg760]

I worked for social services for a long time (cash aid, food stamps, medical), and yes, the disabled really are meant to be at or below the poverty line. The employees who worked for the SSA in our local office were horrible. File a claim for SSI and you are waiting probably years to get approved, I don't understand the delay. The pandemic I think really opened my eyes to how very self centered we are in general, there's no compassion for your fellow man until something strikes you or someone close to you. The emotional maturity of our nation just seems to be at an all time low.

[@astererratum6546]

This exactly. I had to wait years to get SSI. I am disabled. I have been disabled since I was 6 (technically whole life, but I only got my first diagnosis at 6.) I'm living in the cheapest possible place to live. I don't eat out. I don't go out. I don't do any shopping. And my parents still are paying out of their pockets to pay for just the rent. It is so frustrating. I keeping saying this isn't a life. It's just living another day.

[@ivyarianrhod]

The hoops you have to jump through to get disability benefits is infuriating. I don’t have the spoons for it (Depression, Anxiety, PTSD, ADHD, and Avoidant Personality Disorder), and I have no advocate, so my attempts have been denied so far. (EVERYONE gets denied the first time they apply, and if you forget to send in one medical record, you’re sh*t out of luck until they let you try again after a 6 month time-out.) Luckily, my parents have been supporting me since I had to stop working 7 years ago, but they are elderly, and won’t be around forever. If not for them, I would DEFINITELY be homeless or dead right now. Im really worried what will happen to me after they pass, if I’m not finally granted benefits.

[@mhmartin86]

@@ivyarianrhod I live at home with my mom and my kid and I'm on SSI(it took me 2 yrs and a lawyer to get approved). I will NOT be able to afford to live once my mom, who just turned 65, passes. She still works full time bc she can't afford to retire yet. the amount they give on SSI is staggeringly low(we are talking like no MORE than roughly $800/mth and the majority do not get anywhere near that much, I don't). I want badly to get out of this position so that I can take care of my kid and myself, but I also can't afford to lose my Medicaid, and bc I'm at dr appointments so much working any at all would be hard. It's horrible to feel so stuck and hopeless and scared for the future. I will inherit my moms house, and I constantly worry about how I will ever be able to take care of all the basic things having a house, or even just living, comes with.

[@annehancock6734]

@@mhmartin86 😢 My heart goes out to you I am pretty much in the same position, and I have no family to turn to either. What they give disabled people in this country is a joke, no one can live on it.

[@michaelferrum708]

My wife and I are disabled. I have crohn's disease and my wife has Lupus. The pandemic has been the hardest thing we have ever dealt with. It's definately hard not to feel like we've been disposable, people refusing to take even the slightest inconvenience to prevent us from getting covid. We have both had covid 3 times now, and it's nearly killed us several of those times. We are terrified that this is going to be a yearly thing like the flu, but basically impossible to avoid getting it, even with vaccines. Eventually this will kill us, it's hard not to view it any other way. I'm so glad that this video was published, and I hope that it opens some people's eyes.

[@k-aw-teksleepysageuni8181]

Kill THEM (ideologically) before it kills YOU, is all I have to say. Eventually people will need to wake up and take a stand for their livlihoods, families, AND the future of humanity.

[@allie_mischief]

As someone who has struggled with identifying myself as disabled, despite being in chronic pain & dealing with mental health issues most of my life, this hit me hard. I know this isn’t much, but I wanted to say thanks. Y’all are great💖

[@loonybinreject]

Me too, the label of disabled is so hard (I too have chronic heath conditions and mental health issues). It made me wonder how much is about how negative the term is and how much is how I worry about others reacting to the label. My mum (who is disabled) has had people shout at her for parking in a disabled space because, and I quote, she 'doesn't look disabled'.

[@gogrannygo4431]

@@loonybinreject why people feel the need to abuse those of us that have invisible disabilities is mind blowing. I get it myself. However, I tend to ignore their negative comments. Now, if I happen in a mood because of pain or other flare-ups, they will get verbally bitch slapped. Some accept my form of pain-induced education and back down on their comments. Some even apologize. Others still refuse to be educated or try to understand. Please stand up for yourself, your mother and all others. ❤

[@MobiusKun]

Do disabled people prefer to be called specially abled or differently abled

[@SockMan17]

It was so hard for me to not fear calling myself disabled. I cant walk half the time and im intellectually disabled yet people still like to dance around the term when it comes to me. Like dude i walk like i just got off Jupiter (for the times i can walk)

[@MobiusKun]

@@SockMan17 precisely! I never understood why ppl try to push these aliases for a disabled person, i believe it to be fairly ignorant even, because its like washing away all the effort the individual put into coming to terms with their disability and being disabled.

[@foolishalie]

I’m disabled, autistic and the pandemic has hugely afected my life, do to abelisem and ppl not understanding my condition it had huge repucutions .I’m now in a mental hospital getting treatment for everything that came up during covid that I wasn’t treated for, becose I wasn’t a priority, I’m so happy to se this beeing talked about, it hits me as a mentally disabled person sooo hard, because my therapist didn’t see it as nessesery to meat during the pandemic, I’m now also cronecly fatigued. I’m 15 and my mom cent work cus she has to take care of me because of how much worse I got it jurying the pandemic. She constantly has to lone money from friends and family to just put food on the table.

[@Cafeallday222]

@@urheehoo not all therapists are equal 😫 a lot of people don’t know, esp when it’s your kids going ugh

[@chancedaugherty9735]

Being immunocompromised myself, I really felt that when Charis said they were boosted and starting to feel a little more safe finally until the CDC lifted the mask mandate again, and had to start isolating again. The day my work place lifted the mask mandate I had my first very intense panic attack. I'm just so tired of people refusing to do the bare minimum of wearing a simple mask. I haven't seen my friends, I've done very little shopping, only at off hours, I haven't gone to the movies or gone to events or anything. I've put my life completely on hold and I have it nowhere near as bad as those in the video. People complain about the loss of their freedoms but all we're asking for is a piece of fabric over their face. They're literally keeping an entire community of people from functioning normally because of their own selfishness. I've worn two masks the entire pandemic (fabric for thickness, paper mask because the fabric ones don't have the metal bit for the nose) and I've done intense activity with both on... meanwhile my completely able-bodied coworkers will ham it up saying they can't breath through one paper mask when they talk.... And I'M considered the weak one...okay >_>

[@johannageisel5390]

I can't agree more.

[@EchoCian]

I have literally had coworkers try to commiserate with me about how hard it is to breathe in a mask while their misfitting fabric masks are hanging somewhere on their upper lip instead of covering their nose at all. It is absolutely astounding.

[@johannageisel5390]

@@EchoCian Ugh, I SO hate the people who are only pretending to wear a mask, but do everything to negate its function.

[@emmawoolley9021]

i’m relatively able bodied. i have some mental health conditions and some physical health issues im working on getting addressed but this video was so eye opening for me. i considered myself an ally for the disabled community and i have always been on the side of covid restrictions and safety regulations. this showed me that i’m not doing enough. and i wasn’t educated enough and truly committed enough to doing everything i can to help and support this community. so thank you so so much for posting this video. it brought tears to my eyes and inspired me to do better and do more. this video should be watched by everyone

[@eqrahabibi]

💯

[@hopegate9620]

I feel like with the disabled community, there are a lot of aspects and struggles people don't understand until they either become disabled, are close to a disabled person or truly attempt to learn more directly from the disabled community. It's a lot of big and small things that most don't realize and that I personally never thought about until I became disabled myself.

[@avionjectt]

Zach, this is so important. We need more disabled people's voices being heard.

[@zapandabear]

hahahahahahahahahayha

[@kimmertrolinger269]

I'm not disabled, and the people closest to me aren't either. You're all correct, disability is NOT talked about enough outside of those that it directly affects, even in progressive circles. It's an issue that is out of sight, out of mind to many (dare I say most) Americans. Like many issues such as homelessness, prison reform, animal welfare, disability makes us feel ~guilty~ and instead of doing anything about it, instead of getting fucking angry and taking some action we feel bad, and pity, and mope about then forget as soon as the next thing occupies our attention. This was a great video, and although disabled people were unfortunately not on my radar during lockdown I can see now that many of the things that were temporarily unavailable have always been unavailable to the disabled. That as a whole, we decided it was okay to sacrifice our most vulnerable just so we could get back to consuming. We need to look out for one another, and if you have something that someone does not, like an able-body, use it to advocate for the people who, in some cases, literally cannot advocate for themselves. When we view the world and determine the changes that need to be made, we need to make sure that disabled people are on the list of perspectives that are taken into account. Thanks for inspiring me to be a better ally. And I hope everyone is hanging in there

[@SantaFishes101]

thank you. as a disabled person, I really hope more people like you can help us.

[@lochnessworm]

As someone with autism and chronic anxiety who often struggles to recognise myself as disabled, this video hits HARD. Zach's words about struggling to call himself disabled got me right in the chest with the insecurities of feeling 'not disabled enough' - because I'm 'high-functioning', I'm verbal 90% of the time, I don't have a physical disability etc. I've often wondered throughout the pandemic if I would be listed as 'having a comorbidity' were I to die, even though I don't think my ASD affects my respiratory function. This video is SO important for people to see, to hear that message that NO, it's not okay if 'only' the elderly and disabled die, because the elderly and disabled are people with lives that have value. Thank you for putting this out there.

[@coda3223]

I'm an autistic disabled person too. Functioning labels are toxic and ableist - it's rather arbitrary and harms HF autistic folks by assuming they don't need supports and LF folks by assuming they don't deserve autonomy. It sounds like you've experienced this toxicity first hand as well (based on your comment). Reasons autistic people might be more likely to die from Covid without any other comorbitities include: 1. Communication issues with healthcare professionals that lead to them dismissing or traumatizing the autistic person. 2. It's ridiculously common for autistic people to get yelled at (or even threatened) by an allistic healthcare professional. 3. We have a tendency to be ignored or dismissed when seeking care for injuries like broken bones (i.e. Hannah Gadsby's broken leg story)... 4. We struggle to self-advocate because our entire lives people have minimized and dismissed our very real sensory trauma... 5. Being gaslit that the pain we experience from a loud sound isn't pain (even when it causes hearing damage) causes us to doubt our own perceptions and so... 6. We wait longer and seek care less frequently than allistic peers.

[@lankira]

If it helps at all, I have a bunch of mental health issues and handful of long-term physical issues and didn't find the willingness to call myself disabled until I read a line on tumblr a few months ago saying "if it negatively affects your ABILITY to do daily things, it's a DISability". ADHD? It negatively impacts my ability to work on tedious tasks. Bipolar disorder and anxiety? Negatively impact my ability to do a lot of things, especially social ones. Chronic back pain? "I'm fine," I thought, "everyone has pain sometimes." Nope. Apparently you're not supposed to be in pain so bad you have to lay down after spending 30 minutes cooking dinner. Accepting the term "disability" for these things and being willing to call myself disabled has made it easier to advocate for myself with my doctors and my work (note here: I'm abled enough to work, but disabled enough my output is less than that of my abled colleagues; it's frustrating). I hope that, should you come to terms with calling yourself disabled, that it can help you in similar ways to how it's helped me.

[@starfishgurl1984]

Same! Unfortunately I was never diagnosed officially yet, only told I had an undiagnosed learning disability (which I now know to be auditory processing disorder), and life was so much harder as a result because I didn’t know that sensory and auditory processing disorders existed as explanations for why I struggled so much so I was severely impacted by anxiety, OCD, perfectionism, a type A personality, and eventually depression in high school as a result of that so my mental health went completely haywire to the point that I started giving up on life because I didn’t see myself amounting to anything. It’s been really hard to give myself slack and not beat myself up over having less mental spoons to do things that most people find easy (for instance I’ll have the energy to wash and dry my clothes but not the energy to actually fold them and put them away after and I’ve just resigned myself to the fact that I’m happy I have the energy to wash them in the first place and consider that better than nothing).

[@Dougiewoof]

I have ADHD sensory processing disorder and anxiety and I recognize my as being disabled.

[@helenm1085]

In Australia being autistic can put you on the national disability insurance scheme, so I get money from the government to pay support workers, to pay an occupational therapist, to buy things like headphones or weighted blankets and to support me to get a job or do whatever my goals are. The system is still fucked and there are lots of people who deserve support who aren't eligible, and you can still end up being very poor on a disability allowance, but the bar is SO much higher than America oh my god

[@fugithegreat]

My sister-in-law was one of those awful people who were like, "It's only people who are already sick who are going to have any problems from this." And I said, "Well, what about those people??? My mom and your mother-in-law is one of those people who could potentially die from this." I refrained from calling her a callous b****, but that is what a lot of people are when it comes to this pandemic. I'm furious that people don't care and won't take precautions to slow the spread, something as simple as wearing a face mask.

[@amyspeers8012]

My uncle had end stage renal disease. Prior to 1973, not everyone got dialysis if their kidneys failed. My uncle had to go before a board and be selected. A friend of my mother’s was denied and she died within a month, leaving behind 3 small children. People with disabilities are NOT taken care of. Not having the home care you need must be so frightening. I am a retired nurse and my heart goes out to you all.

[@luciagianquitto4010]

i can't believe that this Person was denied dialysis. I live in Italy, disabled people aren't treated well ( i know plenty of people that had and still have to fight to be heard) but dialysis Is given to whoever needs it

[@photostrips]

this is terrifying to me. I have end stage renal disease and I feel like I wouldn't have been selected due to unconscious bias (as a black woman) in the time before 1973.

[@mosshealy3280]

In the UK, they had an automatic “do not resuscitate” on autistic people during the pandemic. I was genuinely terrified of anything happening to me, even unrelated to COVID, because autistic patients were being left to die when these people wanted to live. When I heard everyone saying “good news! Only disabled people are dying from the virus” I cried. People were CELEBRATING the deaths of people in our community, because it’s us and not them. Being disabled is the only minority that anybody could be a part of one day. You can’t be born as a POC, or a LGBTQ+ person, etc, but anybody can become disabled in as little as a minute. With that in mind, you’d think that society would take care of the disabled community a little more than they do

[@harley-amybanks2168]

What are your sources for the DNR orders for autistic people? I don't think that happened at all... I'm autistic, work in the NHS and most of my family work in the NHS and that just wouldn't happen. You don't have any kind of "automatic" DNRs, it's an extensive process to get a DNR order involving the patient, family members and doctors; it's never something taken lightly. I hope this can reassure you a bit. Autistic people should get, and in most cases do get, the same quality of medical care than non-autistic people do and I know in my department that the staff do everything in their power to make accommodations for people with disabilities to make their experience as stress-free as possible, I can't say the same for everywhere and I have always had struggles with Ableism especially with my physical disabilities and Autism but I assure you that there is no automatic DNRs for anyone especially not Autistic people. I hope this can reassure you a bit x

[@lizjenkin7170]

@@harley-amybanks2168 This is a bit of a long one, sorry. It's in 2 parts: 1 - Quotes from the CQC report reviewing the use of DNRs in the pandemic. 2 - A personal experience of it. TLDR: A CQC investigation found that while there wasn't a blanket DNR order on a national scale, smaller-scale orders did happen at a local level, and were applied without consent to some of the most vulnerable people - the elderly and the disabled, including people with learning disabilities and autistic people. 1 - "At the beginning of the pandemic, there were concerns that DNACPR decisions were being made without involving people or their families, and were being applied to groups of people, rather than taking into account each person’s individual circumstances. There were particular concerns that this was affecting people with a learning disability and older people. In October 2020, the Department for Health and Social Care commissioned CQC, under section 48 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008, to conduct a special review of DNACPR decisions taken during the COVID-19 pandemic." "As part of our review, we heard evidence from a variety of people we spoke with that there had been blanket DNACPR decisions in place. This was supported by the meeting we held with advocacy groups." "Amnesty found examples of the inappropriate or unlawful use of DNACPR forms - including blanket DNACPR, their inappropriate individual use and recommendations for use - by GPs, clinical commissioning groups (CCGs), hospitals and care homes. They also found that staff incorrectly interpreting DNACPR prevented people getting access to hospital care and treatment. Amnesty also highlighted that health and social care staff reported pressure during the pandemic to put DNACPRs in place without consultation." "While we did not find there had been a national blanket approach to DNAPCR, there was undoubtably confusion at the outset of the pandemic and a sense that some providers felt under pressure to ensure DNACPR decisions were in place." "There is evidence of unacceptable and inappropriate DNACPRs being made at the start of the pandemic." 2 - While the main factor for my granddad was age, he was called by his GP and pressured into accepting a DNR. He didn't fully understand what he was agreeing to, he was just thrilled that the GP "cared enough to call him for a chat". He didn't die from Covid, thankfully, but he was a vulnerable, disabled man who was essentially told that he wasn't worth saving.

[@sophiegeek1]

@@lizjenkin7170 Thank you for sharing. Horrified that it happened at all.

[@tiffanyroberson9773]

@@lizjenkin7170 Jfc that’s horrifying.

[@msg5352]

If you're going to cite studies, statistics, etc, you have to be very clear about where this info comes from - and where a person can get it to examine themselves. It's not hard to make up studies, statistics, whatever, people do it all the time. Without solidly backing up where you get info, to me you're just some clown on the internet, saying words.

[@angelamazakas2624]

I feel like the pandemic has really shown how people actually are. How people reacted says a lot about their character

[@au_barb]

Oh 100 percent!

[@Frankiebug21]

one of the most frustrating things about being disabled for me personally is that i have a lot of friends and am in a lot of communities that are very outspoken about the issues many demographics face - POC, LGBTQIAP+, etc - but even the people that are great about being proactive for those various groups go silent when it comes to issues of disability. Often events aren't accessible, or not as much as they can and should be, when issues of disability come up they're not as vocal - being disabled and talking about the issues i face because of it often feels like screaming into a void. It's like we're the easiest group to ignore, and people want to for some reason. It really, really sucks.

[@nyandoesthings]

I like to say I'm "barely disabled", basically my disability is progressive and very very rarely affects me yet. Anyway, I am also transgender and I agree that it is extremely frustrating to see that. To watch fellow queer people, not only not stand up for other marginalized groups, but even argue against protections for disabled people. To hear my own mother, who is bisexual and active in the queer community, berate people with invisible disabilities because she doesn't think they're really disabled, to hear her argue for them to be paid less, is extremely extremely hurtful, especially because she knows about my disablity and watched her own mother die far too soon from it (54). To hear people who I thought were friends argue to make my future worse because I haven't told them and they feel alright to talk about it around me. It is also incredibly scary for the day I am no longer "barely disabled", beyond the obvious fears of my pain being increased I have to worry about using mobility aids in public, especially as I'll likely be using them before I'm 21--I'll be one of those people my mom complains about being "too young to be disabled". I'm sure I'll hear it to my face as well.

[@MiniNymph]

I did my degree in Musical Theatre - when we were discussing our Dissertation titles, everyone was animated and involved with all these intense issues of sexism and education and self esteem. I say I'm researching disability in Musical Theatre and it's just silent. Still got a first though :P

[@Frankiebug21]

@@nyandoesthings I'm so sorry, and thank you for sharing your story. I completely understand - it's really eye opening to hear those you once thought well of talk about how certain dangers aren't important because they'll only affect you and those like you. My dad has said, verbatim, that disabled people are a burden on society - then looked at me, caught himself, and quickly said we're a burden society is happy to bear. It's particularly hurtful when friends don't invite you to things because they know it isn't easily accessible, and it's like they're just so ready to always try to forget about your disability if they can, completely ignoring that you don't ever have that luxury. I hope you find the people that are your safety and your home, and that care about you as a person doing with all that entails. I hope those currently in your life learn and start to do better. I understand how hurtful it is when currently-abled folks would rather just hide you away than acknowledge that society has a way to go before it's as welcome as they want to think.

[@Frankiebug21]

@@MiniNymph that's really interesting! I'm not super familiar with many aspects of musical theatre - would you mind sharing what your studies entail or some ideas you have to possibly improve accessibility?

[@MiniNymph]

@@Frankiebug21 sure, I'll do my best! A lot of it was finding out about shortcomings and positing ideas based on research on other minority groups due to the lack of research, eg, trans roles are better received when comedic, let's try have more comedy disabled characters because we tend to be in the sad and dies roles, or villains. In terms of short term goals, reframing existing roles as disabled is good, a la Ali Stroker in Oklahoma. The easiest roles to adapt are side characters, and these can be easier on performers who are contending with access needs, but also that's not full on inclusion - there needs to be scope for leads too!! Similarly, musical podcasts are great and I love that medium, but there needs to be more than that one route. Big problems in the obstacles in training exist ( I was told in a drama school audition that I basically have too many needs) in the structural accessibility backstage in theatres, and in the willingness to consider disabled performers. There's so much hustle attitude in theatre, and hammer the actor to fit the mold, it's hard to get people to support that there are other options 😑 we are replaceable, when our bodies break, there's another person ready to step in. My hope is the Wicked movie will keep it's promise to have a disabled actor as Nessa, and that slowly, "cripping up" will be as socially taboo as blackface, and eventually as laughable as Shakespearian actors being exclusively male. In 300 years, I hope they can laugh at what now makes me weep.

[@xobrynn90]

As someone who is currently trying to see if I have an autoimmune disorder and/or hyperthyroidism, thank you for having this conversation. I know that i'm most likely not high-risk, but I also live with my Grandparents and Boyfriend with EDS, who are. It's honestly frustrating to walk in public spaces and have others say "oh, you know you can take that mask off, right?" No, I cannot. I have people at home to care for and myself if it comes to that point. Disabled individuals aren't just "unproductive members of society that we can just throw away" and it's scary to see that thought process form. You also shouldn't have to live with or know someone disabled/high risk to care. The lack of empathy within this space is frightening. It's not that hard to protect those around you.

[@itsnichole_xo5238]

I have 4 autoimmunes that cause several other comorbidities and quickly found out my own family thinks disabled people should just stay inside so that they could avoid Covid and everyone else could live their lives. It was devastating to find out my own family finds me disposable.

[@lisaharris452]

As if wearing a mask means they've stopped living. The selfishness blows my mind and has made me so pessimistic about things in the US. I was pretty worried before and now I feel there's no way to bridge all our conflicts. It reminds me of that saying, "I don't know how to teach you to care about other people." I thought there were a lot fewer sadists and sociopaths than there actually are, now they're loud and proud of their cruelty.

[@SharynS.]

My family too. Hugs to you.

[@33melonpaws77]

@@lisaharris452 Yes that's how I feel. How can there be so many heartless people and how can I reason with them?

[@lisaharris452]

@@33melonpaws77 Hi. Honestly if I were you I wouldn't waste time trying to reason with sadists. They take pleasure in other people's suffering. Bringing up that their actions can be harmful to you actually makes them happy. I can't explain it, just like I can't explain how "owning the libs" is a reasonable motivation. Some people are so lacking in empathy, it's a handicap. I didn't realize it affected so many until they all outed themselves over covid. Frightening!

[@33melonpaws77]

@@lisaharris452 You're right, it's too dangerous to be honest with those sorts of 'people '.

[@beccad8398]

This is so painful and heartbreaking to watch. I just cannot comprehend not being a valuable member of society and having a prominent member of society saying ‘you are not worth saving’ essentially. It’s just not what is right or fair. It’s not that we chose for ourselves, we didn’t choose this for ourselves. I am immune compromised; I have epilepsy, Crohn’s disease, asthma, ADHD, the list goes on. I work in a seniors home; I love my job. I love my seniors. They are all valuable and unique. It doesn’t matter what they have. They are all humans to me. I love all of them. We have been on outbreak for as long as I can remember, lost about 30 seniors and still family members of some residents will refuse to wear PPE, become aggressive with staff and yell, behave like absolute nightmares and tell me I’m a sheep call me every name under the sun. Even with paramedics coming through the door behind them to pick up another resident. ABSOLUTE most frustrating thing.

[@Tubbkin]

Finally someone says it openly that the freedom they fought for was for those who are not disabled. As someone who has a diabetic grandmother, Father with COPD, a brother with autism and a mom with hashshimoto's thyroiditis. I found it really hard to watch my uncle and cousins freely through there mask away. My town had "burning mask" parties, people cheered and cried because "they" felt free. My mom leaves the house twice a week at most to go to work, My dad only goes to the store if he has to and my little brother leaves my parents house MAYBE once every 4-6 months. I only go out for the basics but I have traveled to a different city once but wear mask, sanitize fully vaccinated with booster and I haven't gotten COVID-19 Ever! However the store has less and less people wearing mask. People who are vaccinated aren't getting boosters, hospitals are filling up, but my government doesn't care because I and my family are "disabled." I haven't worked since 2018 due to a mental health breakdown I had and then I finally worked on myself enough I feel I'm ready to work....and I can't. All the jobs are unsafe environments that put myself and my loves ones in life threating danger. I feel unheared, unwanted and criticized. People say "you always have some sort of excuse." An excuse not to work, an excuse for being plus size, an excuse for being depressed....But in reality I'm disabled and I'm sick Of not only having to Prove i'm disabled enough but also of people not being kind enough to remember we are humans 2.

[@katehessler5214]

If you would like to get back to work without jeopardizing your health, there are disability communities out there that are working to bring awareness to wfh jobs, if you have the resources to do so. Certain industries, like medical billing, have gone almost entirely remote, but still have entry level positions available. You have to have your own internet connection and workspace but they generally ship you all of the equipment you need for the actual work (so like you'd have to pay for your own desk and chair, but they'll ship you a laptop, monitors, etc)

[@tamoeri]

Right! In one fell swoop they tell you you are not disabled, but also tell you to get healthy or they won't care for you if you catch covid. It's incredibly frustrating and weird.

[@Tubbkin]

@@katehessler5214 Sadly I live in a very rural area in Canada. I live in within the Atlantic side of Canada and my province just so happens to have the least amount of funding for not only health care but mental health care. My brother who is more disabled than I am doesn't even have a case worker anymore because there are no jobs. Not to mention the type of job I'd be able to personally do within my area requires 1. fully bilingual ( my French isn't up to par for them) and require college education. I just got very unlucky with my location. But I know a lot of bigger cities have those jobs but with no money = no moving lol.

[@TheAnnaShowUk]

Mood. Plus if you go outside in a wheelchair people automatically try and start touching you like some kind of dog. At one point mid pandemic I started swinging at people who tried to touch me to make them keep away

[@ERYN__]

I went from only having "invisible disabilities" to having my mobility compromised during the pandemic and being a "visibly disabled person". It has been a mixed bag, I'm going out more on good days, strangers hold doors for me more, and it also "others" me more. I was denied a service dog by my apartment complex because I already had 2 cats. By the time I was in a situation to get a service dog I was not healthy enough to take care of one.

[@strgazr04]

As a service dog user for almost two decades, I have to tell you that your apartment building cannot deny you a service dog. That is illegal. According to the ADA, service dogs are deemed medical equipment just like a wheelchair, walker, etc. They are allowed everywhere that the public is granted access to. The only places that aren't included are places like churches (because of the separation between church and state) and the OR of a hospital because that needs to remain sterile for surgeries.

[@ERYN__]

@@strgazr04 that is true. But it still happens. I could not afford to risk being evicted as well.

[@strgazr04]

@@ERYN__ I'm very sorry to hear you had such difficulty. If you do end up in a better situation, I hope you report them. They should not be getting away with breaking federal law. All the best to you!

[@isoobool7573]

This was such an important video. As someone with severe chronic anaphylaxis at age 18, I don't think I've ever heard someone speak so openly about how chronic illness can affect mental health and everyday liveability on such a large scale. I live in Australia (a very get on with it and get over it country) and it's always so nice to hear similar experiences and feelings. Some days can feel impossible but videos like this always help. They help you remember you’re never really alone.

[@lunar686]

Mental and physical health are interrelated and inextricably linked. It’s a shame that we treat them as seperate despite the overwhelming medical evidence and consensus that the human body is a complete unit and we can’t seperate out the two concepts. An injury to the body will result in an effect on your ‘mental’ state and vice versa. Treatment is often different, but we have to treat both....When surgery was performed without the knowledge of even the redundant germ theory, the first surgeons to wash their hands were laughed at, and patients suffered as the immune system wasn’t seen and therefore wasn’t treated. When the first diagnostic tools came out for germs and we had preliminary theories available, patient outcomes slowly improved as positive effects were observed for treating both, even if it wasn’t fully understood. This is where we are in time in terms of knowledge of the mind/body connection. Our theories, knowledge and diagnostic tools are all relatively in the preliminary stages, but we are seeing better outcomes when both are treated....sending love from Sydney AU 🌼😊🌼....hopefully all disabilities will start trending in govt, rather than just on tiktok here lmao....oh and one idea that may be kinda cool now your 18 is start writing to your MP, they actually take matters seriously, unfortunately our ‘get on and over it’ mentality means no one is raising these concerns here to anyone with the power to make real changes actually happen

[@prapanthebachelorette6803]

@@lunar686 exactly. I feel you

[@Kelociraptor]

My fiancée and I are disgusted but not surprised from how disabled people were left behind and forgotten and put at risk. We try not to get mad at those who are going maskless, going to concerts, vacations but it's extremely hard not to when people just don't give a shit. Thank you for uploading this, people need to educate themselves and stop putting disabled people at risk.

[@Lola_Nico]

There’s no mask mandates since March in my province. So I don’t wear one. I also go to concerts. Problem? Stay home. Stop ruining society for the rest of us.

[@honeyOatmilks]

i love that Zach spoke about this. as an able bodied person i definitely think not enough people consider disabled people and how they're affected directly and indirectly by able bodied people's actions

[@rosehill9537]

Its a need conversation across the world. Hi from Australia

[@jpopdubber]

Having to explain to people that when they say “only older or disabled people die from covid”, they were talking about me. They would say that, to my face, as an argument against wearing masks at work, and then I would have to explain…that’s me. I’m the weak link in your society. You don’t have to worry. It’s just us that have to worry. “His quality of life….” That haunts me. HAUNTS ME.

[@Fox-Mann-Fam]

This includes several super important elements that all fall under the "why do we treat disabled people like they're disposable?" heading. Thank you for the time and work that went into this.

[@firstlast8258]

“We”

[@Calvansbagofblogs]

​@@firstlast8258yes. We as in the majority of society.

[@sharonjensen3016]

Doctors definitely treat the disabled like they're disposable. I remember one doctor would treat me like something she stepped in.

[@1bornconfused922]

To Zack - don't EVER think that you're overreacting when it comes to your feelings about how the disabled are treated. You want to get mad? Get f*cking mad. You want to cry? Cry. You want to be philosophical? This platform is (literally) yours. Because when it comes to the disabled and their treatment at the hands of medical professionals, the government and the general public, there is no other advocate other than the disabled and their families/friends. So make noise whenever and however you want, Zack, to hell with the detractors. 👊🏽👊🏽👊🏽 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽

[@trilobite-knight7746]

This!

[@the_madhadder]

I have a partner who is immuno compromised, and I saw firsthand how this pandemic affected them. As an able-bodied individual, it’s hard to see your partner feel so hopeless and even though we both fought and beat Covid, The reality that this disease almost killed them never left my mind. It is truly disgusting how we treat disabled people as less than human. They deserve to be here just as much as any able-bodied person. Plain and simple.

[@_Kyprioth_]

So many people who think negatively about those with disabilities can’t see that they could easily be in the same position in the future. While many of us are born with our disabilities, many others sustain injuries or have progressive conditions like myself. Personally, I used to be a neuroscientist before becoming a nurse and paramedic. I was a scuba diving instructor, a classical music teacher, a live-in nanny and worked a variety of other jobs. I knew that my condition would deteriorate, so I started working hard when I was 8 years old. I got my first job at 11 and achieved all of these things before the age of 25. I worked hard and traveled the world, but I have been unable to work or get out of bed most days for the past 5 years. The thing that hurts the most is when people accuse me of being lazy. I didn’t choose to be in the position that I am in right now. I did everything I could to live a full and happy life while I could. I worked harder than I thought was possible to fit as many accomplishments and experiences into the years that I had. I’ve been told that if I contract the virus, my immune system simply isn’t strong enough to fight it. Regardless, I have had people around me not take precautions and accuse me of ‘exaggerating’ or being a hypochondriac. I actually had to resort to getting a letter from my specialist explaining my compromised immune system. That just resulted in those same people doubting the doctors opinion instead of my own. Wearing a mask is frustrating, I know. But it truly saves lives. If it comes down to a little discomfort vs. someone losing their life or suffering through the virus, I used to think that would be an easy decision for the average person to make. After the past few years, I think a lot of us have been disappointed in the priorities of many people.

[@nyandoesthings]

You're very inspirational. I'm only 17 and I am working very hard to do everything I want to now. My condition is also progressive and barely affects me now but I'm expected to need mobility aids regularly by the time I'm 21. My aspirations aren't quite as big as yours, but the moment I graduate I am traveling as far and as much as I can, even if I need to walk on foot across the country. Thank you for telling me that I can do everything I want to. Probably more than I want to, considering my goal is just one in your list of many accomplishments. I wish you the best, and that something can bring you the hope and feelings you have brought to me.

[@_Kyprioth_]

@@nyandoesthings First of all, you seriously made me cry both happy and sad tears and thank you for both. I know that may come across strange. I’m incredibly happy and truly touched that I have given anyone hope, especially someone in such a similar situation as I was at the same age! Because it’s the truth. There is and should always be hope. Please never lose that. Sad tears because you feel as if your aspirations aren’t as big. Let me just say that your aspirations are just as big and important as anyone else’s including my own. The only difference here is that your aspirations are your own and you deserve to achieve them just as much as the next person. You have brought me hope yourself! Just reading what you have written has helped me decide something I have been mulling over for a long time. I have received encouragement to help mentor young people with progressive illnesses like yourself. Hearing how what I have written here has affected you has made me decide to go for it! So thank you so much for that! Just one tip if your goal is travelling. Maybe try to attain a qualification that you can use on your travels that will allow you to work to gain either travel funds or accommodation? It may be teaching English overseas, volunteer work or humanitarian pursuits. I can also tell you from experience that working in those fields is incredibly fulfilling. When working with somewhat of a ‘deadline’ like us, doing things that are truly fulfilling is always important. Working with people in need always made me feel like I was contributing positively to the world in my own small way. Thank you for giving me hope from your msg, and thank you for the time you took to write it! I wish you nothing but the best, and even though we don’t know each other, I believe in you and I’m cheering you on!

[@catie7466]

thank you sm for giving disabled people a platform. i have lyme disease, celiac disease, chronic gastritis, long c, generalized anxiety disorder, and possibly some undiagnosed issues too. i think one of the hardest things about it is that many of us have invisible illnesses and live in a grey area between sick but not sick enough. we are sick to the point where it greatly affects our lives. each day consists of weighing out where we should put our little energy towards. should i shower today or should i cook a healthy meal today? bc i dont have energy to do both. and my symptoms are unpredictable, so i cant schedule out breaks or fun activities. whenever i have a tiny bit of energy, i need to take advantage of it and be productive before it goes away. but in society's eyes, i am still not sick enough. im not sick enough to get disability pay or get taken care of. im not sick enough to rest and take care of my body. im expected to suck it up, go to college, get a job, and wait 5 years to open up to my employer about my needs and ask for accommodations bc if i do it too soon, they'll think im just lazy and not a hard worker. being disabled is exhausting and demoralizing. with all the inspiration porn out there, you'd think when you get diagnosed with autoimmune diseases, you'll get an outpour of support and well wishes and also manage to somehow "overcome" it and make everyone proud. but that's not reality. no one, not even your loving family, will give a shit if it's invisible. they can't comprehend your life changing so they think you're just being dramatic. you lose almost all your friends due to not being able to predict your symptoms and stick to plans. dating life is very hard. it is extremely isolating and lonely and i wouldn't wish it on anyone. this was so long but thank you to anyone who read this. i just needed to vent about this in a comment section that seems supportive. it's so rare to see.

[@barbarapugh5662]

Because sadly disabled people are frequently seen as easy targets who can't stand up for themselves. My son has ASD and learning disabilities and there are members of our family who have actively chosen never to spend time socially with him. There was an ongoing project in the UK called LeDeR which specifically looked at mortality rates in disabilities and it consistently found an earlier death and frequently for reasons of oversight, laziness and perceived lack of quality of life. It's so upsetting for me because I spend a lot of my time taking him to gigs or open water swimming ( both of which he loves) because I know when I'm not here he won't be able to do those things because people won't bother. The pandemic was so difficult because we couldn't explain to him what was happening and whilst he was able to get his head round wearing a mask he couldn't understand when other people weren't.

[@bubblewrapfred]

I waited and fought for two and a half decades to get my disabilities diagnosed. I was so relieved for the medical gaslighting to end. To stop being told I was just lazy and anxious and a hypochondriac. Within weeks covid hit and I had to watch all the comments online saying my life didn’t matter. I’m 31. I just want to stop treading water so maybe I have energy to have a social life for the first time since high school.

[@ALadyNamedKatiee]

This video brings me to tears. My son has autism and even though he was just approved for a waiver to have an in home care provider, with the provider shortage, we still don't have that care. I'm thankful for FMLA otherwise I wouldn't have my job. As a single mom, it's vital for me to work. Not to mention how incredibly difficult it is just to get them the benefits they deserve. The hoops I had to jump through with social security was absolutely ridiculous. There is no special needs daycare in my small town so I can't work a full time job. We live in poverty and without proper care for my son so I can work, I can't even begin to get us out of poverty.

[@maureena8399]

Thank you for making this! I am autistic, have autoimmune disease, and became physically disabled during COVID working as a physical therapist treating COVID patients who just came off the ventilators. I’m sitting here on my couch crying because of the mindfuck of the past few years. It’s so challenging just getting by and people in the world do not understand/care unfortunately. Absolutely: your productivity does not determine your value 👏

[@prapanthebachelorette6803]

Hugsss

[@sammgualberto]

Identifying as "disabled" was and still is difficult for me to say. Having to fill out a form to change my status to disabled for school made me cry. But access to the few resources I gained from that were worth it. Still hard. This makes me cry.

[@GlitterEnby]

It was tough for me sometimes, too. Sometimes it still is. I commend your courage and strength.

[@khaosandlightliberation1980]

You’re valid, and remember to never let your disabilities take away the core of who you are, even when it’s almost impossible 🖤 you’re loved and you’re valid darling 🖤🖤

[@au_barb]

That's called internalized ableism. It takes some work, but you can get past it and fully accept yourself and your disabilities. Disabled is not a bad word! 💕

[@gogrannygo4431]

Samm G. I hear you. Labeling myself as disabled was so sad as well as so liberating. Granted, it took a couple years to process that though... I'm a bit stubborn and was in denial . 🤷‍♀️ We need help sometimes. Please continue to ask for any help that will make your disability more tolerable.

[@Beautyonthebrain_]

Thank you for talking about the income disparity and the marriage disparities amongst disabled people. I have been with my boyfriend for almost 4 years and we are never going to be able to be legally married because I will lose my health insurance and any SSI income that they feel I deserve. Disabled people have to prove that they are disabled enough to qualify for help, which is cruel and inhumane.

[@SabrinaHawk]

Yes! And even living with a partner is super risky

[@karifoto]

This had me in tears because it's so spot on. I've been disabled for over 20 years and have been treated like I'm disposable many times. It's heartbreaking and dehumanizing, especially during a pandemic. So many of us have a ton of emotional pain inside but we keep fighting! We are some of the strongest people around even though others see as weak and even lazy. Thank you for doing this show.

[@spectral__]

As an adult who only recently was recommended by a psychologist (my parents had taken me to one several times throughout childhood but I always refused to speak) to be evaluated for ASD and ADHD, I've found that nobody cares. One neuropsychologist I spoke with said it didn't matter past childhood. I've already learned to cope. Like no. No I haven't. I don't know how I've gotten to any point in life, but if there's a name for what I've struggled with my whole life, then I want to know it. But even to a professional whose job it is to evaluate these things, it was a joke. It's been difficult to even find a neuropsychologist who even takes insurance, and the one I did find, her replies have been so slow it's been over a month and I still don't have an appointment. And the earliest opening was September. The medical system in this country is completely broken on every level. I knew that before this pre-diagnosis, but now I feel even more hopeless. Even the people who do care can't change this broken system. It would take political action, but this country is so corrupt it won't happen anytime soon.

[@starfishgurl1984]

Oh man, do I feel you/relate to what you said, I was never diagnosed in childhood but looking back on it the signs were all there that I fell somewhere on the autistic spectrum and I just fell through the cracks because I didn’t meet the stereotypical presentation they were looking for at the time. (I struggled more with auditory processing disorder and texture issues with food were my biggest sensory processing disorder struggle but being “high functioning” I flew under the radar so to speak). Because of being undiagnosed I struggled severely with anxiety and OCD and eventually depression in high school because I was flunking out and saw myself as not amounting to anything so I started to give up on life as a result. Being officially diagnosed would tremendously impact my mental health but the struggle and costs associated just aren’t worth it for me right now so I hope as soon as I can that I’ll be able to pursue that eventually. It really sucks though that adults on the spectrum essentially become invisible/forgotten about unless they’re severely impacted.

[@nyandoesthings]

@@starfishgurl1984 I'm 17, so not quite an adult, but for the past year or so I've been asking to get tested. Turns out, nearly every teacher I had in elementary school recommended to my dad I get tested (for ADHD). My dad has ADHD. My mom has ADHD. I showed a lot of common signs. Basically, my dad did not want to get me tested so he didn't. I didn't have the opportunity until I moved out of his house (about a year ago) and now I've been kinda stalling on scheduling it, but in the meantime I have heard countless adults and teachers express worry that they won't diagnose me at my age. I have heard stories of people who say that they couldn't get a diagnosis after 16 because "if they really had ADHD it would have been caught when they were younger". Very upsetting and doesn't help with my motivation to get an appointment arranged. if anyone is curious, my dad's growth was possibly stunted by the medication he took, and he...didn't want my growth to be stunted? which is a dumbass excuse because they wouldn't force me to take meds???

[@djk5v]

@@nyandoesthings the concern about stunting growth possibly has to do with the fact that ADHD stimulant medications can have the side effect of appetite suppression for people. For some people that involves finding a medication that won’t do that to them and for others accepting the fact that either a) they won’t be on an optimal dose to avoid appetite suppression or b) they will have to remind themselves to eat periodically even if they are not hungry.

[@djk5v]

Whoever tells you that that ADHD/ASD is a childhood illness that you grow out of has either a) never experienced it or b) has been lucky enough to know and learn workarounds, but if that person still takes meds for ADHD in adulthood they clearly haven’t “grown out of it” or they wouldn’t need to take the meds. This person has no idea how it affects several areas of one’s life (or they wouldn’t qualify for diagnosis) and/or how much effort it takes to blend in to the neurotypical world.

[@morgensellier7816]

So fun fact about the "doesn't matter past childhood"--that's based on the original dataset, white men, whose adhd "disappeared" once they had wives handling their lives for them. Whoever said that has WILDLY out of date information. Feel free to disregard this if you've already tried it: My partner and I both got our ADHD diagnoses from a psychiatrist, not a neuropsych. We did it via telehealth so we could cast a larger net than just our city. Also--this doesn't work for all of us, but caffeine helps many ADHDers focus. I wish you lots of luck!

[@bender7167]

"It doesn't have to be this way. It just doesn't." - Zach Wise words sir. Wise words.

[@puddingwaffles7]

I really just want to thank Zach for always being so open about disability. The pandemic was the worst period of my life. I couldn’t leave my home because I was afraid of getting sick as an immune compromised person and I couldn’t get care for my chronic pain so it became so much worse. It just felt like I was disposable and people didn’t care if I died because of them and their lack of caution. I remember crying because I couldn’t get alcohol wipes because people fear-bought all alcohol products. It was just devastating and bleak and it made me feel like I didn’t matter as a disabled person. And the longer the pandemic went on the more clear it became how little people gave a shit. So thank you for sharing a light on this because it’s an important discussion. I’ve always been so grateful to have Zach in the Try Guys and discussing his disability as someone with multiple illnesses and chronic pain. It feels like to feel heard and seen. 💕

[@GlitterEnby]

"Disposable" is actually the word I remember using in my head, too. I agree that it's devastating to feel disposable.

[@inkdrip]

I'm so sorry you were forced into such a scary time and a hard lockdown- completely agree with people caring less and less about people compromised as the pandemic lingered on and they got tired of the the restrictions. There was a glove shortage for a while because of fear-buying and that was disastrous for us. I can remember seeing a woman at a gas station wearing some disposable medical gloves and thinking smart, but we don't have any and I literally have to clean up shit for my loved one. I hope you're experiencing a reprieve from some of the stress and fear the worst of the pandemic brought on!

[@puddingwaffles7]

@@inkdrip that’s awful, I’m so sorry for that too. People often don’t realize the things they were causing shortages for were for things others desperately needed. Things have been a little easier but it’s definitely not over. I’m just glad we got vaccines and the tests are more readily available

[@dawnliddle2046]

Thank you for being this out and talking about disabled people. I am disabled with multiple sclerosis which I thought I had since 2010 but found out that I was found to have this disability in 2002. Having people who understand what you are going through is a great thing. If I try to talk to my sister's about it and what is happening in the moment they call me a lier and cuse me out, because they don't know they don't live in my body. They will read something about it. I cought COVID-19 before the government told anyone about it. I was in a coma when I got to the hospital. They put me on what they call the " death"floor. They were wait for the disabled person to just die. I surprised them when on Christmas day I woke up. So I know first hand how they just throw us to the side and wait for us to die. I fought it and I still am with breathing problems. Plus a host of others. Thank you for bringing this to light.

[@lauryn6037]

i’m just recently diagnosed with multiple sclerosis also :( navigating surviving with covid around is incredibly difficult and draining. wishing you all the best ❤

[@mariacob6604]

This really hits home for me. My grandmother needs care 24 hrs and it's mostly my family that takes care of her. She had a stroke years ago, plus she had spinal surgery, she is diabetic and have high blood pressure. She is mobile but she needs someone to administer her insulin and give her pills. Then it happened that cause so scared of her getting COVID and the fact that my dad works in the medical field we just couldn't go for over a year to go and see her. Then more immediate family had to find ways to go to see her and help out, but then they got COVID and then it just became harder. My grandfather at the time was the one that took most of the load but he was also very sick. Unfortunately he passed away this year and figuring out how to help my grandmother was hard. We don't live in the states so medical service like homecare is not so readily available.

[@maryd.2136]

I'm immunocompromised, and battled covid more than once. I went from the Hospital to a Nursing Home; Where they were insisted on keeping me permanently. Once you're there, it's difficult to get out. The only reason I was able to escape after staying there for months was because of my age. I don't think I was able to get specialized case workers to help me leave. I truly believed I was nothing more than a paycheck for that facility. The fact that people can put you away because of your physicality is terrifying. I only imagine how many individuals are stuck there because of their age and perceived limitations. I was given bread for meals - on times when they served pork or something I had a sensitivity to. I had to bathe myself while in bed with a bucket and soapy water - and that's only IF they had towels available. It felt more like a jail cell than a rehabilitation center.

[@sirsilk1978]

Hey Try Guys, I'm an attorney who practices in SSI/SSDI benefit acquisition with a 10+ year background working in community mental healthcare centers. I'm so happy to hear the Try Guys address this area. I humbly offer the services of my law firm for any additional consultation or research you may desire for follow-up videos in these areas. Keep up the great work, everybody.

[@ktmggg]

For the first year of the pandemic I worked as a grocery delivery driver. There were so many people on the various routes I worked that were medically fragile due to congenital issues to others recovering from major surgery, to just plain poor health in old age. It was heartbreaking to see the loneliness and isolation these people were going through. I always brought in their groceries and put them away if asked. I usually was the only person they might see all week because the home health caregivers were out sick, staff stretched thin or some who were just as afraid of catching COVID and refusing to come in to work. Long COVID isn't just living with physical illness. It's a fundamental change in how our society has to function from now on.

[@alex.profi27]

No,you make it seem like the pandemic completely changed "the world" and now we need to adjust. Only SOME people changed and they want to make others the same. Speak for yourself

[@SantaFishes101]

@@alex.profi27 what are you talking about? this doesn't even make sense

[@SantaFishes101]

thank you for doing that. you made people's days or even lives by being helpful and friendly because you wanted to. thank you. it truly matters.

[@dancerx411]

This is why I love the try guys. The diversity and love within this group of just four guys is more than I ever thought was possible.

[@katwitanruna]

Disabled person here. I got evicted at the beginning of lockdown and was living out of my van for six months which exacerbated my conditions. I’m now in a home care situation and am losing all my things.

[@Christconsciencechurch]

As a disabled person I haven’t yet watched this and I already know YALL ATE THIS. Thank you for supporting

[@lauram3729]

I am disabled, but it is not obvious. When I was in college, students AND teachers would give me shit for not going to class, often saying I was lazy or that I didn’t try/ didn’t care. They didn’t stop to think I might be sick because I don’t “look” disabled. It was SO hard to deal with the negative feelings people had towards my missing class on top of my disability.

[@Benni777]

As someone who was born with a genetic disorder, anxiety, depression, hypothyroidism, PTSD, ADHD, and chronic vertigo, chronic tinnitus and chronic TMJ dysfunction, thank you sooooo much for making this video/podcast. We disabled ppl have been ignored since the beginning of time, and especially now, what with this virus. I’ve also had COVID, which only increased my depression, anxiety, and everything else, I couldn’t really go anywhere before and after I got COVID. Disabled ppl are also ignored by the government, and if we do get recognized, we only get very little attention. Granted there is the ADA, but we still get discriminated against. And god forbid if your a disabled person with other intersectionality’s, like being a POC, a gay person, etc, life become very hard. But thanks for the educational value of this episode! ☺️

[@HanaGabrielleBidon]

I'm a disabled POC who is also part of the LGBTQ+ community. It's hard overall but I'm making the best of it somehow.

[@jessicaworden5358]

I'm right there with you and have similar conditions. I have EDS and I am queer

[@Benni777]

@@HanaGabrielleBidon Heyy!! Nice to meet you! I cannot even imagine what if must be like to be a POC, bc I’m white, and I’m a woman. But my whiteness is one of my privileges that I am constantly reminding myself, every day. Bc there are other ppl who have it worse than me. No matter how many times I list my disabilities, I am still a white person, and that comes with privilege. I wish it wouldn’t, but that’s just how life is.

[@Koto19765]

Sorry that you have to go through all that. But you were born with PTSD and depression? I thought PTSD and depression are acquired after having to go through traumatic and depressing experiences respectively. Im not sure if you can just be born with it 😅

[@nancythomas5387]

@@Koto19765, I think, or at least read it as, they meant them as separate entities, as in genetic disorder AND the depression, etc.

[@moche2303]

This is a conversation that needs to happen everywhere. Disability is too often ignored. It is an identity and an experience in the world that intersects with all sorts of other marginalized identities. Thank you for platforming so many voices and making this!!!

[@monedameow]

I'm 41, disabled since my 20s, invisible illness, I've been abus3d, called liar, minimized, laughed at. People are so ignorant and pushy to force that if it doesn't show it does not exist. Family, friends, unknown people, even government officials, people are rude! And you can't work, no money, no help, no one cares, you become like your ilness: invisible, but it's concious, they choose to NOT see you. It's hard.

[@katygettingwell]

💙

[@magss5320]

As someone who has Ankylosing Spondylitis and other undiagnosed autoimmune diseases (it's going to take a long time for a diagnosis), THANK YOU for making this video.

[@shocalremix]

Been 10 years waiting still for a diagnosis

[@magss5320]

@@shocalremix :( Im so sorry it's taking so long. Sending all my good thoughts your way.

[@shocalremix]

@@magss5320 yea. And only recently got diagnosed with early AS. But it's how itis

[@SpaceWormMark]

As an ICU nurse that has taken care of patients during every surge of the pandemic (and still takes care of covid pts), I want to address something. The thing about making choices about who got, for example, a ventilator when there wasn't enough was not an easy position to be in and I would not wish that upon anyone. We're not used to being in that position. But there were multiple points where we simply didn't have enough to go around. We literally HAD to choose, there was no other way, and we (at my hospital) chose the people most likely to survive. By the time pts get to the ICU the survival rate is extremely low. VERY few pts who get to the ventilator stage ever get off it (and if they do they likely to be horribly maimed by the experience). I would always try to make sure the patient spoke to their family before they went on the ventilator because I knew that was likely the last time they would ever speak. It broke my heart. I'm used to seeing death on a regular basis but this was next level and extremely traumatic for staff. When, despite our best efforts, so few people are even making it (probably less than 5%) what other metric should we have used besides "likely to survive?" Please suggest a better one to use. Because I don't know what else we were supposed to do. I have been a part of the discussions about who to choose, we (the nurses and doctors) would discuss who had the best chance to actually make it out of there. That's all we were doing and I just don't see the alternative. It was yet another traumatic aspect of the pandemic. Trust me, I share the same frustrations about people not putting in effort to not transmit this thing. I literally am just now feeling like I am getting over PTSD from how extreme things got especially during the Delta wave. There were nights where literally 5 pts out of the 18 beds in my ICU died. There were MONTHS of every single nurse taking care of 3 pts in the ICU (normal is 1-2 pts). Other staff could not help you because we were ALL drowning at the same time. And these patients were SOOOOOOO SICK. They required more care than even a normal ICU patient. Everyone that could retire or leave left the field it was that bad. I don't know what I'll do if it goes back to how it was during the first few waves. Omicron has had very high case counts but much less severe cases and thus has not overwhelmed the ICU in the same way, but there is no guarantee it will stay that way with mutation going. I also agree that we are overlooking the long term impact that COVID likely will have on even the "healthy" because this virus affects every damn system in the body.

[@prapanthebachelorette6803]

Sending virtual hugs

[@infinityseagull3752]

I can't even start to imagine the pain and stress you've been under all this time. Thank you so much for everything you've done for these patients. I really hope you're taking care of yourself too at this time, you deserve it so much. I think covid has just highlighted a lot of beliefs/preferences the medical system already had about disabled people and their perceived quality of life that are really saddening, so examples like Michael Hickson's death are extra striking and scary.

[@johnjob4584]

You killed your patient last with remdesivir and the ventilation. YOU have blood on your hands.

[@littlebitofhope1489]

Except they did not say "likely to survive". They said "quality of life". I understand the position you were in for a relatively short period of time, but disabled people face this every day for their entire disabled life. The medical profession is horrendous to disabled people. And here is something else. Do you really think disabled people DON'T have PTSD from the way they are treated ALL THE TIME? I feel for you. I really do. But you are asking for empathy and understanding while YOU and your colleagues are giving none. Maybe think about that. You see light at the end of the tunnel. For disabled people it's only an oncoming train.

[@SpaceWormMark]

@@littlebitofhope1489 Huh? How do you have any idea what empathy/caring/understanding I provide? The medical profession is just like every field -- there is a huge variance person to person. What kind of person I would I be if I WASN'T upset that my patients were doing so poorly every time covid rates increase? Am I not supposed to be bothered by suffering of my patients? And no, I don't break them down into categories based on disability. That would be pretty much meaningless in the ICU where the MAJORITY of patients have disabilities. Yeah we do sometimes get strokes that we can reverse or a heart attack we can treat but a significant amount of our patients are people with chronic, long-term, often very debilitating conditions.

[@pegmay7209]

I’m with you, Man. I’m autistic and it can be pretty hard. But there are lots of people who understand how hard it is and are just like you and I. Press on! ✊🏻

[@HanaGabrielleBidon]

I'm autistic too and I understand your pain and struggles.

[@ragingbirdgod]

@@bibiminjeju-do8067 autism is not a disease :(

[@keyaunna.]

i’m autistic too, and your feelings are so valid

[@annee.p9885]

@@bibiminjeju-do8067 1. Autism is not a disease, it just impacts the way your friend's brain is wired and doesn't really do any harm to her body. 2. If you wanna help, I'd say to just be there for her for now since every autistic person is different. Hope this helps! Sincerely, an autistic person.

[@0715lola]

I’m autistic too 💪🏻

[@corbinbrier0]

I've been disabled since about age 10/11. I wasn't diagnosed with anything other than mental health issues until I was 18 and asked my lovely newer doctor if she could do a rheumatoid blood panel (I owe so much to her running any test I asked for). Since then I've basically had to diagnose myself and then just bring it up with my doctors for them to confirm. It's very disheartening that so many doctors failed me time and time again and I've had to do their jobs for them. My parents were told I was lying, all my doctors visits were for attention, it was all in my head, etc. so they didn't fully believe something was going on, since dozens of doctors said it was nothing. Being medically neglected/gaslighted for years really makes it hard to be trusting of medical professionals. It really is sad that so many doctors and nurses aren't really taught how to deal with the disabled community. Just rambling at this point. The more disabled you get over time the more you realize how much your body is not only against you but people and the way the world works is. I've noticed how bad accessibility is in some places and how ableist some folks can be. Really changes your entire perspective once you face those challenges. It's really hard to notice it when you're not disabled. Hopefully as more time goes on people and infrastructure will catch up and the disabled community will be better accommodated. I hope to see it in my lifetime.

[@prapanthebachelorette6803]

I feel you

[@33melonpaws77]

"The more disabled you get over time the more you realise how much your body is not only against you but people and the way the world works is." Oh fuck.

[@richieordeanidc536]

this is an old video but i got shit to say anyway - here in the UK, a lot of people with learning disabilities had DNRs put on them during the pandemic without their prior knowledge or consent, and the ONLY people i saw talking about it were people with learning disabilities. as an autistic person with adhd, that was really scary and also really eye opening to the fact that neurotypical people just don't care about us. according to public health england, people aged 18-35 with learning disabilities were 30 times more likely to die of covid than people without learning disabilities, and it just got swept under the rug. no one talked about it.

[@seanthomas3466]

As a disabled person I’m so grateful that you made this video. People need to talk about this! Thank you

[@maryd.2136]

When the person interviewed stated that 75% of the individuals that died from covid during a particular time period possessed 4 or more comorbidities, I was nodding like yeah that's pretty much a given. But for her to go on and say. "Really encouraging News," I was shocked at her blatant disregard for human life, and her lack of compassion for those that have suffered tremendously before, after, and during covid. I kept thinking, um, guess that's great news, unless you're disabled, or you know have any level of empathy.

[@princessjadie]

I agree! I understand what she was trying to say, but imagine having a disability and hearing her say that. How heartbreaking.

[@MyLittleGreenHairdedMermaid]

Because that means for the majority, the average person, its not a deadly disease. Its not fair, but that's the reality

[@maryd.2136]

@@princessjadie exactly. I am immunocompromised but I'm often treated different than others that have more noticeable disabilities. After covid the hospital sent me to a nursing home in order to recover, that was one of the most horrific experiences ever. You're dehumanized by staff that doesn't care, and the empathetic ones that do often don't have the power in order to change the situation you're in. I was fed bread slices at the substitution for meals that were pork or that I had a sensitivity to. I had to use a bucket of soapy water to bathe in bed and that was only if they had towels available. I think I was only able to get out because of my age. Youth Works in your favor in places like that, I guess.

[@maryd.2136]

@@MyLittleGreenHairdedMermaid you can speak on the news, and be factual, while also expressing a level of empathy, not dehumanizing entire groups of individuals with various disability issues, that may be treated differently or denied treatment because of what's on their face sheet.

[@ThatDataLady]

To live, having 4 disabilities or otherwise chronic illnesses or all or some of your life only to be told the virus will kill you first and we are happy about that because it means we (healthy, able bodied) people will be safe.

[@vrichenrdricson5513]

In school, I had to bring a "Normal" person with me to the disability office otherwise they didn't do anything. That is the worst feeling having to go to a place that is supposed to help but knowing they won't. It has only gotten worse with the pandemic.