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November Check In with Us!
by AffyAvo
Last post
Monday
...See more [A sheep pulls a carrot from a garden] With the end of October and the beginning of November, harvest season comes to mind. Canadian Thanksgiving has passed, American Thanksgiving is to come, Diwali celebrations are occuring and pumpkins are still floating around! I know other cultures have celebrations related to harvest too. What types of harvest celebrations do you celebrate? Do you face any challenges at this time of year? How are you doing today? You are welcome to pop in to this thread multiple times throughout the month and share the tough things and the good things this month.
Meditation and Self-Care
by MistyMagic
Last post
October 18th
...See more September is Self-Care Awareness month! Read more Here! [https://www.7cups.com/forum/projectsandevents/General_2421/SeptemberisSelfCareAwarenessMonthEventsHelpWanted_336603/]          Meditation and Self-care Meditation is a word that can scare many people but it is not all about sitting cross-legged and saying ‘Ohmmm’ (although that works a treat!), it can take many forms and you can also design your own. You probably use a type of meditation when you stir your coffee and think, or whilst waiting for the water to boil to make your tea. Meditation covers a vast array of ways to focus your mind and body into one! Using simple meditation as a form of self-care can be incredibly beneficial for reducing stress, enhancing focus, and promoting overall well-being. Below are ways to incorporate meditation into your self-care routine, followed by some useful resources and ten frequently asked questions with answers about meditation.  So, all-in-all a complete guide to simple mediation! Ways to Use Simple Meditation as Self-Care: * Breath Awareness Meditation: Focus on your breath. Notice how it flows in and out without changing it. Do this for a certain number of breaths, seconds, or minutes.This can calm your mind and reduce stress.You can decide whether it feels more comfortable breathing in through your nose and out through your mouth, the opposite or even in and out through your nose or mouth. This way you are in control and do what suits your body the most. Try them all then decide. * Body Scan Meditation: Mentally scan your body from head to toe, noticing any tension or discomfort. This helps to relax your muscles and increase body awareness.This is more complicated and needs more time and can mean that any areas need more attention. * Mindfulness Meditation: Sit quietly and bring your attention to the present moment without judgment. Observe your thoughts as they come and go, helping to reduce anxiety and stress. There is also the Mindfulness Community [https://www.7cups.com/forum/mindfulness/] here on 7 Cups.  * Guided Meditation: Use a recorded guide that leads you through visualizations or relaxation techniques. This is a good option for beginners who need direction. You can also record meditations yourself so they are directly identifiable to you current condition. * Mantra Meditation: Repeat a calming word or phrase (mantra) silently to focus the mind. Common mantras include "Om" or "peace." * Walking Meditation: Practice mindfulness while walking slowly, paying attention to your steps and the sensations in your body. It’s ideal for those who find sitting meditation challenging. * Gratitude Meditation: Spend a few minutes reflecting on things you're grateful for. This can shift your mindset towards positivity and contentment. * Five Senses Meditation: Tune into each of your five senses—what you see, hear, smell, taste, and feel. This can ground you and bring your awareness back to the present. * Short “Micro” Meditation: Take 1-3 minutes to focus on your breath, a mantra, or a calming visualization. This is perfect for quick mental resets throughout the day. * Counting Meditation: Count slowly from 1 to 100, or 1 to 50 or pick a number, this focuses the mind and the thought together so that energy is synchronised. * Cleansing Meditation: Whilst standing or sitting at the sink concentrate on each task and each circular motion of the items. Or whilst showering focus on the sensation of the water and allow yourself to concentrate on each movement and finally allow the water to run over you washing away all negative energy down the plug hole away to the Earth. * Favourite Place Meditation: Visualise how to get from where you are to your favourite or safe place. Think about each movement, moment and the route shedding any negativity on the way. You can get there even when you are actually somewhere else. You can calm yourself and soak in the good energy, replenishing and refreshing yourself from that place before you return. You can return in a heartbeat if you are ready, if not then retrace your  steps gradually building up strength to face the world again. Each of these meditations can take moments, you can practice them almost anywhere, and, when you have tried them a few times you can even use them in busy meetings or stressful times. ------------------------- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Meditation: * Q: How do I start meditating if I’ve never done it before?  A: Start by setting aside 5-10 minutes in a quiet place. Sit comfortably, close your eyes, and focus on your breathing. Don't worry about "doing it right"—just pay attention to your breath. * Q: How long should I meditate for as a beginner?  A: Start with 5-10 minutes a day and gradually increase as you become more comfortable. Even short sessions can be beneficial. * Q: What should I do if my mind keeps wandering?  A: It’s normal for your mind to wander. When you notice it happening, gently bring your attention back to your breath or focus point. Over time, this will become easier. * Q: Do I need to sit in a specific posture to meditate?  A: No. Sit in any position that is comfortable for you. The most important thing is to maintain a relaxed and alert posture. You can even meditate lying down if you wish, but you might be more likely to fall asleep. * Q: Can I meditate if I don’t believe in spirituality?  A: Absolutely. Meditation doesn’t require any specific spiritual belief. It can be practiced simply for relaxation, focus, and mental clarity. * Q: Is it better to meditate in the morning or evening?  A: There’s no “better” time. Morning meditation can set a peaceful tone for the day, while evening meditation helps to unwind and relax. Choose a time that fits your schedule.The more you do short meditations the more you will find new ways and times. * Q: What are the benefits of meditation?  A: Meditation can reduce stress, improve focus, increase self-awareness, promote emotional health, and enhance sleep quality. Long-term practice has been shown to positively affect overall mental well-being. * Q: How do I stop falling asleep during meditation  A: Try meditating sitting up rather than lying down. You can also open your eyes slightly or try meditating earlier in the day when you’re more awake. But, hey, what's so bad about falling asleep as long as you are safe, some people use it as a sleep aid. * Q: How long does it take to see the benefits of meditation?  A: Some benefits, such as feeling more relaxed, can be experienced immediately. However, for long-term effects like reduced anxiety or improved focus, consistent practice over weeks or months is typically required. * Q: What if I don’t have a lot of time to meditate?  A: You can still benefit from just a few minutes of meditation each day. Micro-meditations, where you focus on your breath or surroundings for 1-3 minutes, can be very effective. ------------------------- By integrating meditation into your self-care routine, you can develop a practice that not only calms the mind but also strengthens your overall mental and emotional well-being. There are many accessible resources to help you get started, and with time, even brief moments of mindfulness can offer profound benefits. ☺️Share your ways to meditate here! ☺️Do you meditate? Or are you going to try? ☺️Do you have any meditation questions? ☺️Would you be interested in a group meditation here?
Interview Series - Master List!
by AffyAvo
Last post
September 9th
...See more Our series 'Interview Diaries' allows the community to share their direct living experience with conditions and disabilities and for us to learn from each other. To learn more about Interview Diaries, share as an interviewer or interviewee, and to be notified of new interviews via the taglist please see Call of Applications [https://www.7cups.com/forum/DisabilitySupport_47/InterviewSeriesInclusivityDiaries_2386/CallForApplicationsToBeInterviewed_276642/] List of Interview Diaries:- Non-Epileptic Seizures With Audienta! [https://www.7cups.com/forum/DisabilitySupport_47/InterviewSeriesInclusivityDiaries_2386/NonEpilepticSeizuresWithAudienta_275839/] Turner Syndrome With @Animeweebu123 [https://www.7cups.com/forum/DisabilitySupport_47/InterviewSeriesInclusivityDiaries_2386/TurnerSyndromeWithAnimeweebu123_276707/] Spending Time With A Surfer @theboymoana [https://www.7cups.com/forum/DisabilitySupport_47/InterviewSeriesInclusivityDiaries_2386/SpendingTimeWithASurfertheboymoana_276777/] Learning About FND With @EmpatheticListener0309💜 [https://www.7cups.com/forum/DisabilitySupport_47/InterviewSeriesInclusivityDiaries_2386/LearningAboutFNDWithEmpatheticListener0309_277278/] Interview about being Deaf with FrenchMarbles [https://www.7cups.com/forum/DisabilitySupport_47/InterviewSeriesInclusivityDiaries_2386/InterviewaboutbeingDeafwithFrenchMarbles_277578/] The magical @MistyMagic Tells Her Experiences With Celiac Disease [https://www.7cups.com/forum/DisabilitySupport_47/InterviewSeriesInclusivityDiaries_2386/TheWholesomeMistyMagicTellsHerExperiencesWithCeliacDisease_277824/] Dissociative Identity Disorder with @DichotomousDetia [https://www.7cups.com/forum/DisabilitySupport_47/InterviewSeriesInclusivityDiaries_2386/DissociativeIdentityDisorderwithDichotomousDetia_277991/] An Interview With @AffyAvo on Hereditary Angioedema♥ [https://www.7cups.com/forum/DisabilitySupport_47/InterviewSeriesInclusivityDiaries_2386/AnInterviewWithAffyAvoonHereditaryAngioedema_278243/] Endometriosis and Me: an interview with @Lilyfae00 [https://www.7cups.com/forum/DisabilitySupport_47/InterviewSeriesInclusivityDiaries_2386/EndometriosisandMeaninterviewwithLilyfae00_278539/] PoTS and Me: An Interview with @wonderfulRainbow817 [https://www.7cups.com/forum/DisabilitySupport_47/InterviewSeriesInclusivityDiaries_2386/PoTSandMeAnInterviewwithwonderfulRainbow817_278731/] Tendonitis and Misdiagnosis: Rachel's Experience With Chronic Pain [https://www.7cups.com/forum/DisabilitySupport_47/InterviewSeriesInclusivityDiaries_2386/TendonitisandMisdiagnosisRachelsExperienceWithChronicPain_278839/] Pervasive Developmental Disorder: Interview with @Goalsforlife [https://www.7cups.com/forum/DisabilitySupport_47/InterviewSeriesInclusivityDiaries_2386/PervasiveDevelopmentalDisorderInterviewwithGoalsforlife_280227/] WarmLightXO Sheds Some Light On PCOS [https://www.7cups.com/forum/DisabilitySupport_47/InterviewSeriesInclusivityDiaries_2386/WarmLightXOShedsSomeLightOnPCOS_280813/] Learning With Lucy: Her Experience With Epilepsy [https://www.7cups.com/forum/DisabilitySupport_47/InterviewSeriesInclusivityDiaries_2386/LearningWithLucyHerExperienceWithEpilepsy_284621/] Grab a Cuppa and Learn about Multiple Sclerosis [https://www.7cups.com/forum/disabilities/ArticlesResourcesConditionSpecificInformation_458/InterviewDiariesGrabaCuppaandLearnaboutMultipleSclerosis_325500/] Living with Cerebral Palsy [https://www.7cups.com/forum/disabilities/DisabilityDiary_2664/InterviewDiariesLivingwithCerebralPalsy_326155/] Living with Meniere's Disease [https://www.7cups.com/forum/disabilities/DisabilityDiary_2664/LivingWithMenieresDisease_327897/] Living with CFS/ME [https://www.7cups.com/forum/disabilities/DisabilityDiary_2664/InterviewLivingwithCFS_328938/] Living with RA (Rheumatoid Arthritis) [https://www.7cups.com/forum/disabilities/InterviewsDiaries_2664/InterviewDiariesLivingwithRA_333251/?post=3610799] Being a wheelchair user [https://www.7cups.com/forum/disabilities/InterviewsDiaries_2664/InterviewDiariesBeingaWheelchairuser_336321/?post=3653342] Living with hED and POTS [https://www.7cups.com/forum/disabilities/InterviewsDiaries_2664/InterviewLivingwithhEDSandPOTS_336838/?post=3659993] T [https://www.7cups.com/forum/disabilities/DisabilityDiary_2664/LivingWithMenieresDisease_327897/]his list is updated as we post more Interviews. Sept 2024
CRPS/RSD
by DogLady93
Last post
October 24th
...See more I'm just looking to see if anyone else on here has CRPS/RSD and would be interested in talking. I have it in my left leg and would love to get a mini support group together.
From Pain to Strength: A Cerebral Palsy Survival Guide
by Countrygirl095
Last post
March 10th
...See more From Pain to Strength: A Cerebral Palsy Survival Guide Having cerebral palsy comes with its fair share of challenges. One aspect that often accompanies this condition is physical pain. However, it is a testament to one's strength and determination to overcome obstacles that life presents. In this blog post, I will share my personal experience with pain and explore how it can be a reminder of my strength and resilience. 1. Understanding Cerebral Palsy and Its Impact Cerebral palsy is a neurological condition that affects movement, coordination, and balance. It is caused by damage to the brain either before, during, or after birth. Different individuals may experience varying levels of disability and chronic pain. 2. Describing Pain as an Reminder of Strength Living with cerebral palsy, pain is a daily reality for me. However, I believe that pain serves as a powerful reminder of my inner strength. It serves as a constant reminder that I am capable of pushing through and overcoming any obstacle that comes my way. With every pain, I am reminded of my determination and the progress I have made. 3. Overcoming Challenges with Perseverance Pain is a constant companion, but it does not define me. I have learned to use my pain as motivation. It serves as a driving force to push me forward, reminding me of the importance of perseverance and determination. Despite the discomfort, I have refused to let pain hold me back from achieving my goals. 4. Celebrating Achievements and Milestones Throughout my journey with cerebral palsy, I have had to overcome numerous challenges and obstacles. However, it is equally important to celebrate the achievements and milestones along the way. Each accomplishment, no matter how small, is a testament to my strength and resilience. 5. Sharing My Story as a Survival Guide My experience with pain and cerebral palsy has led me to believe that my story can serve as a survival guide for others facing similar challenges. By sharing my struggles and triumphs, I hope that others can find inspiration and encouragement to never give up. Conclusion Pain is a temporary obstacle that those with cerebral palsy may face. However, it is through perseverance, strength, and determination that we can overcome it. I urge anyone facing similar challenges to remember that pain is temporary, but your story has the potential to inspire and change lives forever. Don't give up; you have the strength within you to overcome any obstacle that comes your way.
Chronic pain Acceptance
by Katieee97
Last post
February 2nd
...See more For the last 4 years, I have had a chronic headache, with back pain too. I honestly can not remember what it is like to feel no pain. Back when this all started I was 16, about to start catering college. Up until very recently, I have tried my very hardest to ignore my health and have pretended to be fine. No many people in my life actually know or remember that my health isn't great. I try not to talk about it because I feel like it makes other people uncomfortable or I get pity. I also struggle to talk about it and never usually have a conversation about it that doesn't end up with me crying. I have lost a lot of people in my life because of my pain. My work have only just found out, because I suddenly broke. I managed to work 4 days a week after finishing college for about 6 months before completely breaking. I have had every test and tried every medication under the sun, seen every specialist out there - but no one can give me a reason for my headache or a name. I'm now at the point where they can do no more for me. All they can suggest is giving up my passion - being a chef. And learning to accept my new life. Im seriously struggling to accept that I have to live with pain for potentiality the rest of my life. Im 20, want to be working full time, excited for the future - not dreading what the future might bring. How have other people learnt to accept their pain?
Chronic pain
by VaehStanifer
Last post
July 22nd, 2023
...See more Does anyone Have any recommendations or remedies that help with mainly back pain. I have severe scoliosis that causes so much pain and a condition that makes all pain much worse than it should be. I’d really appreciate it if anybody could help
Pain
by Stitchlover17
Last post
June 28th, 2023
...See more Chronic pain and just pain in general 🙄🤷🏻‍♀️🤦🏻‍♀️😭
Chronic Pain
by LIFEadisastrousmess
Last post
April 8th, 2023
...See more How do you keep from getting discouraged by pain?
Your Pain Is Legitimate
by fruityPond7887
Last post
March 30th, 2023
...See more "“Shouldn’t you have healed by now?” “I think your pain may be all in your head.” If you are living with chronic pain, you know how dispiriting these comments can be. We hear them from physicians and spouses, co-workers, and friends. These comments represent a fundamental misunderstanding about the mind-body relationship as it pertains to pain. Your chronic pain has a cause. The trigeminal system [https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00415-022-11002-4] is the pain-perceiving center of the brain. Pain sensations picked up by nerves all over your body are sent to the trigeminal nucleus for processing. This is basically where those signals are translated into “pain” by your brain. Acute pain [https://www.iasp-pain.org/resources/topics/acute-pain/] occurs when we have actual or potential tissue damage, and those signals travel through our trigeminal system and are translated into the sensation of pain. The purpose of acute pain is to signal, “Hey! We have a problem here!” It allows us to make the best choice in the moment to reduce the possibility of damage to our bodies. Chronic pain [https://journals.lww.com/pain/Abstract/2019/01000/Chronic_pain_as_a_symptom_or_a_disease__the_IASP.3.aspx] (pain that lasts more than three to six months) can occur for lots of different reasons. Sometimes, we have ongoing damage to body tissue due to a chronic illness [https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/chronic-illness], such as osteoarthritis. In some cases, nerve damage causes pain, such as diabetic neuropathy. But in other cases, our trigeminal system is literally working overtime. For people with nociplastic [https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-pain-chronicles/202302/5-ways-to-tell-if-your-pain-is-nociplastic]pain conditions, such as migraine [https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/migraine] and fibromyalgia [https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/chronic-pain], the pain comes from changes in pain-sensing pathways [https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(21)00392-5/fulltext]. Pain signals are being sent even though no actual or potential tissue is present. Some people may even have a combination: chronic lower back pain can arise from tissue damage and pain pathways changes. All pain is experienced in the brain. And no matter what is causing your pain, you have a path forward. Behavioral pain treatment addresses the biological realities of chronic pain. Behavioral pain treatments [https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK556229/] can help alleviate chronic pain, particularly when combined with medication [https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/psychopharmacology] and other non-pharmacologic medical treatments. That is because pain travels on specific types of nerves. Although the initial burst of acute pain after an injury is a big, bold signal to your brain, most chronic pain runs on smaller nerves that are easier to interfere with. So, one way to manage pain is to interfere with pain signals. Depression [https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamainternalmedicine/fullarticle/216320], anxiety, stress, [https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0278584617309855?via%3Dihub] and other psychological factors do not necessarily cause bodily pain. But they can impact the way your body perceives pain. You can think of pain signals like water trying to get through a hose. Some things, like depression [https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/depression], straighten the hose and allow the water (pain) to flow easily through. Other things, like doing a job you are passionate about, physical activity, and spending time with friends, can bend the hose, making it harder for the water (pain) to go through. The water is still turned on at the tap, just like your chronic pain condition is still present. But just as it is harder for the water to make it through to the end of the hose, alleviating factors make it harder for pain signals to reach the forefront of your awareness. The way we react to stress plays an important role in how much pain we experience [https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/ejp.1003]. Pain is a stressful [https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/stress] experience. So we will likely respond to pain; however, we typically respond to other stressful experiences. When some people encounter stress, they plan for potential negative outcomes. This way of responding to stress may help you get ahead in your career [https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/career] but is less helpful when experiencing pain. There is a reciprocal relationship between pain and functioning. The more you go to work, see friends, and exercise, the less pain you experience. On the other hand, it is clearly easier to function when you are in less pain. Therapists (occupational, physical, and psychological) all try to help improve your functioning while keeping your pain at a manageable level, because if your functioning improves, chances are, your pain experience will improve as well. So these therapists try to use times you feel best, like after a particularly effective medical treatment, to help you enhance your functioning so that you stand a better chance of reducing your pain experience in the long run. Pain is not your fault. “Shouldn’t you have healed by now?” Changes in your body or nervous system [https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/neuroscience] are still producing pain signaling in your brain, regardless of whether any initial tissue damage has healed. “I think your pain may all be in your head.” All pain is in the brain. But your pain is perfectly real, regardless of whether it is accompanied by tissue damage. One type of pain is not more “real” than another. At the end of the day, when people living with chronic pain hear these kinds of dispiriting comments from family, friends, coworkers, and doctors, it makes us feel like the pain is our fault. Like, somehow, we are causing this pain, and if we could just be different in some way, the pain would stop. But chronic pain conditions are not a matter of willpower [https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/self-control]. They are complicated, brain-body interactions that often require a multidisciplinary approach to effective management [https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/leadership]. Behavioral interventions may help alleviate your pain; that does not make your pain less real. Changing your lifestyle may reduce your pain; that does not mean your lifestyle caused your pain in the first place. Changing how you react to pain may reduce how much pain interferes with your life; that does not change the legitimacy of your pain experience. That’s just how pain works. Because pain is in the brain and in the body. And if doing cognitive behavioral [https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/cognitive-behavioral-therapy] therapy [https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/therapy], physical therapy, occupational therapy, yoga, changing your diet [https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/diet], therapeutic massage, or walking daily helps you manage your pain, that doesn’t mean it is less real. It means you are taking charge of your care, building your pain care team, and finding a combination of strategies that help you manage a legitimate chronic illness so you can re-engage more fully in living your life." *Chronic pain is different for everyone, but it is still chronic pain. Everyone's experience is valid! There are many different interventions that people can take, both physical and psychological, to help alleviate their pain. Regardless, that pain is still very real and not made up. No matter the diagnosis or if your pain is acute or chronic, pain is still pain. No one wants to go through it and I hope we can all support each other through it. How do you find your pain is best managed?* #AcutePain #ChronicPain #PainManagement Please find the full article at Psychology Today. [https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-pain-chronicles/202303/your-pain-is-legitimate] If you liked this article, you may enjoy this one! [https://www.7cups.com/forum/CommunityProjectsEvents_184/ArticlesandQuotes_2369/4WaystoGetSomePleasureBackIntoYourLife_287469/]
How to Manage Chronic Pain for Improved Mental Health
by fruityPond7887
Last post
February 27th, 2023
...See more "In the medical world, pain—the body’s way of telling us that something may be wrong—is classified as either acute or chronic. While acute pain tends to be severe but temporary, chronic pain can vary in intensity and persists for long periods of time. Sometimes, chronic pain is a symptom of long-term disease, but in some cases, it’s difficult to identify a specific cause.1 Chronic pain can be treated with prescription and over-the-counter medications, but the latest issue of Psychological Science in the Public Interest (PSPI) looks at how psychological interventions [https://www.verywellmind.com/psychotherapy-4157172] can be part of the treatment plan.2 Psychological Therapies for Pain Management Western medicine has long been in the habit of treating the mind and the body as separate entities, says therapist Susan Epstein [https://therighthelp.com/index.html], LCSW, who runs chronic pain workshops for her clients. "Medical doctors often look for mechanical/physical explanations of and fixes for pain, when the real answers lie in misfiring messages from the brain due to psychological, emotional, environmental, and even nutritional factors," Epstein explains. "There is more and more recognition that the mind-body is a complex interconnected organism and that holistic approaches may offer relief where surgeries or pharmaceuticals have failed." “CBT is a form of psychotherapy that focuses on a person’s thoughts (cognition) and behaviors (actions) that are the source of their problem,” explains psychologist Sheila Forman [https://www.drsheilaforman.com/], PhD. In this case, the CBT therapist would help this person identify patterns of negativity [https://www.verywellmind.com/how-to-change-negative-thinking-3024843] embedded in these thoughts with the goal of changing them in a way that would lead to a healthier way to think about and respond to pain. Biofeedback [https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-biofeedback-2794875] involves using sensors to monitor patients’ physiological responses to stress and pain, such as increased heart rate and muscle tension, then teaching them how to gain control over these responses.4 “This form of therapy is useful because stress exacerbates pain, so learning to manage stress [https://www.verywellmind.com/stress-management-4157211] can help manage pain,” says Forman. Other psychological therapies for chronic pain include supportive psychotherapy, breathing exercises, hypnosis by a trained clinician, and mindfulness meditation [https://www.verywellmind.com/mindfulness-meditation-88369]. What This Means For You Exercise, physical therapy, and different medications can all help with chronic pain. If you'd like to try psychological-based strategies, ask your physician to recommend a psychologist or therapist who specializes in this field. Online chronic pain support groups, like The Mighty [https://themighty.com/topic/chronic-pain/] and MyChronicPainTeam [https://www.mychronicpainteam.com/users/sign_in], are great ways to connect with others who live with chronic pain and understand the various challenges that come with it." *Chronic pain is no joke and no one should have to go through it alone. We may not always understand where our chronic pain stems from, so it's important to try and treat the chronic pain through both the mind and body because they are more intertwined than we ever thought. If we can learn how to better handle stress and any triggers that may lead to a flare-up of our pain, we could really reduce the pain we feel. Reaching out to a mental health professional can help us work through any possible triggers and this could holistically help us manage our chronic pain. If you struggle with chronic pain, do you find that treating it both mentally and physically has helped you?* #ChronicPain #HolisticHealth #PainManagement Please find the full article at Very Well Mind. [https://www.verywellmind.com/psychological-based-strategies-for-chronic-pain-management-5205535] If you liked this article, you may like this one [https://www.7cups.com/forum/CommunityProjectsEvents_184/ArticlesandQuotes_2369/LivingWellWithChronicIllness_298005/] on living well with chronic pain.
Chronic pain that is unbearable
by creativeLion6784
Last post
February 17th, 2023
...See more I was abused heavily as a child and have chronic pain from the amount my body endured as a kid. And because I'm so young no one in the medical field listens to me. When i go to the doctor and can barely even walk in there they just send me back home or I get sent in circles going from doctor office to specialist to psychical therapy. And i have a really hard time doing a lot of it because of the trauma involved. I am unsure how to meet my needs when my pain has gotten to be constant. And as it's a constant i get flashback after flashback. I've been in what feels like a flashback nightmare since late December. Christmas i was out and couldn't even put pressure on my knees. As i layed there it felt like my knees were going to snap inward. I can't even stand to cook or even shower and i feel help less. My mental isn't doing well and my Smi clinic (severely mentally ill) clinic isn't helping me. I'm alone in this because I'm in so much pain i don't see my friends anymore because i can't even walk and i am always grunting and groaning. I miss appointments constantly. I've quit so many jobs because the pain is unbearable.
How do people deal with pain
by enbyzzlingplatypus
Last post
February 12th, 2023
...See more I don’t get pain that’s terrible compared to most people, but when it does happen it gets overwhelming very quickly, and I can’t do much else other than curl up and hope it ends. I spend a lot of time worrying about when something will start hurting again, and it seems there’s nothing I can do to prevent it, as I’ve been told over and over that I have no symptoms other than pain, so there’s nothing that can be fixed. Im spending most of my pain free moments dreading the feeling. I know that there is nothing wrong and nothing to fix, but I still want to do something, but I can’t. Every time pain stops I immediately feel as if I just can’t go through that again. Every time it happens it feels like the end of the world, but the world keeps ending over and over and I don’t know how to stop dreading the inevitable. Everyone around me says that they’re trying their best to help, that there’s nothing they can do, and it frustrates me when it shouldn’t because I know I shouldn’t feel like this, and I shouldn’t be afraid to feel like this. But I do, and I am, and I don’t know how to beat that.
How do you deal with your chronic pain
by Shawn16
Last post
February 2nd, 2023
...See more How do you deal with your chronic pain
can’t sleep
by spiderwick42
Last post
January 8th, 2023
...See more ive hardly slept lately, and i’m so tired at the moment, but one of my wrists is bothering me so much i just can’t get to sleep. not even my dominant side or a usual place to get really bad, so it’s a totally random flare. i hate fibro, i have a busy day tomorrow and just want to rest. nothing is really helping, not sure what to do.

Welcome to the Disability Support Community!

This is an inclusive community where people can seek and provide support and post about topics related to learning disabilities, chronic pain, chronic illnesses and conditions, physical disabilities and developmental disabilities. You are welcome to join in even if you don't used disabled as a label for yourself.

There are a number of ways to get involved and be supported. We have a pop up teen chatroom and a 24/7 adult chatroom.

There are guides for Chronic Pain and T2 Diabetes
There are Q&A sections for Disabilities and Chronic Pain

Members may connect with a listener who has disabilities, chronic pain, cancer, diabetes, adhd or autism listed as a topic and there are listeners with disabilities supporting people with disabilities

We encourage people to post new threads and respond to others in the forums! Some good ways to get started are to introduce yourself and to join our tag list to be notified of weekly check ins and events. We also have an Interview Series: if you would be open to sharing more about yourself and want to be interviewed.

Looking to be even more activity in the Disability Community? Join as a leader!

*Note we are inclusive of all disabilities but ADHD and Autism each of their own communities which may be of interest to some of you.

Community Guidelines

🌟 Please be respectful of everybody's thoughts and opinions.

🌟 Don't think you are alone, so please share

🌟 Please be patient if you feel like your concern hasn't been addressed yet; we are working hard to add more leaders and supporters.

🌟 If you have any concerns, reach out to a leader or make a post.

🌟 For Listeners only - please remember that you are here to give support, if you are seeking support then please switch to your Member account.

🌟 Most of all - don't forget to be awesome! You are loved and accepted here, no matter what!

Guidelines For Using AI 


We all want the Disability Support Community to be a safe place where people are able to be their authentic selves and receive support. We understand that AI tools can be helpful in reducing barriers, allowing people to better express themselves, and allowing those with some disabilities to be able to read, write, and post, but excessive, or complete use of AI can feel robotic and reduce supportive person-to-person interactions. It can also lead to false impressions of the poster. We want to try and avoid this and help our Community to be as inclusive and as welcoming as possible to all users.


What is AI?

AI is short for ‘artificial intelligence’ which is software, a program or algorithm that works to sort, order, and combine data to give a response or answer to a question or input. Artificial intelligence is the ability of a computer, software, or computer-controlled robot to perform tasks that are commonly associated with the intellectual processes characteristic of humans, such as the ability to reason. As yet no AI’s match full human flexibility over wider domains or in tasks.

Some of the most common examples of AI in use today include: 

  • ChatGPT: Uses large language models (LLMs) to generate text in response to questions or comments posed to it. 

  • Google Translate: Uses deep learning algorithms to translate text from one language to another. 

  • Netflix: Uses machine learning algorithms to create personalized recommendation engines for users based on their previous viewing history. 

  • Tesla: Uses computer vision to power self-driving features on their cars.



If using AI tools please adhere to the following:


  • Include some of your own personal expression. This could come from a detailed, personal prompt to the AI tool or include some of your own words with a post.

  • Cite which AI tool(s) you used, which applies both to AI-generated and AI-edited text as well as images too. For instance, if you use Dragon to voice type then say so and if the text is AI-edited include that fact too.

  • Avoid posting misinformation. AI sometimes creates personalized anecdotes, facts, or references. If you are sharing an experience, don’t post an AI-fabricated one. If posting information check that it is correct and aligns with trustworthy sources.

  • Cite the source of your information. It can be important to know and understand the source of information posted, AI-generated content may draw information from their database so try and use factual sites that can be checked and that aren’t misleading.

  • Don’t make threads in excess. AI can make it fairly quick to create a lot of content. We want to give everyone’s posts a chance to be seen. Please don’t post a large amount of threads in a short period of time, this is called ‘flooding’ and can prevent other posts from being seen.

  • If you do feel like there’s a lot you want to state on one topic, consider making multiple posts within the same single thread. Or create your own ‘Disability Diary’ thread and post there, this will increase your visibility, and those who reply will be notified when you add another post.

  • Follow the guidelines. You are responsible for what is posted from your account, even if AI was used in the creation of the post, so please double-check what you write and post!


For more information please read this post by @Heather225 - 7 Cups Community Director.


Do’s ✅  and  ❌ Don’t List:


Do - Humanize your post with your own expression and words

Do - Cite the AI tool(s) you use

Do - Make ONE thread and post to it if there are several posts you want to make

Do- Read things over and ensure the guidelines are being followed

Don’t post something that is entirely AI-generated with little input from yourself

Don’t post misinformation

Don’t flood the forums with AI threads, or multiple threads


If in doubt please ask @MistyMagic  (Adults and Teens) or @AffyAvo (Adults) or consider joining the Disability Community Support Team. More information Here







Community Leaders
Community Mentor Leader
Community Mentor / Teen Community Star
Group Support Mentor / Teen Star