Posted by Jack (24.189.233.136) on June 21, 2000 at 16:22:25:
they usually aint:
It is probably better for an individual to be gainfully employed than to receive a disability pension.
Perhaps when people are a bit negative about the disability issue they are not being mean spirited, judgemental, moralistic and less than empathetic.
Maybe they know a fundamental truth - that one will feel much better about one's self and have a better life if they can find a way to stay gainfully employed.
I really believe this to be true. We all know ( and now I am speaking for everyone here ) that there are people who will never be able to work - it might be the kid next door who was born with cerebral palsy, it might be the adult who comes down with MS or it might be a chronic clusterhead. And I am glad that there is a safety net for these people.
However, I would encourage everyone who has clusters to find a way to keep working, if they possibly can - not because I am a moralistic Neanderthal ( which I really am :-) ) but because I believe it is usually a better proposition in the long run for any individual.
There you have it :-)
I am also very proud of the unmedicated suffering that I endured for many years while maintaining a job or 2. I am also very proud of my cluster buddies who stay gainfuly employed while having clusters.
If that upsets anyone, I really do not care that much.