Living with a disability in the pandemic means my life is far from normal. On the 24th February, the UK government lifted all restrictions, now no one is safe.

For those living with a disability and having to find a place just to fit in, to be able to live their lives, is difficult. Living with any disability is mentally waring. In the pandemic, thousands of us with a disability will now be at home.

Although the words, ‘I don’t matter’ haven’t been uttered by the UK government, through social media, people with disabilities know they don’t matter. It would only take face coverings in public spaces, for us all to get back into our lives.

With or without the vaccine you can still catch and spread Covid. No one is safe, Covid is untreatable and the vaccines only work for a finite time.  Last century, people with mental disabilities were institutionalised.

For me, being mostly four-walled now, the similarities are staggering.

Ilana Estelle is a mental health and wellbeing advocate who combines educational insight with her personal experience of living with physical, mental, and emotional disabilities. She holds diplomas in Counselling, Diet and Nutrition, Nutritional Therapy, Psychotherapy and Counselling, and Stress Management. Through her writing, Ilana supports others in navigating their emotional, mental, and physical health challenges. In addition to writing for The CP Diary, her work has appeared in healthy lifestyle magazines. Ilana is also the author of three books: Cerebral Palsy: A Story – Finding the Calm After the Storm, Spirituality, Healing and Me, and Survival: The Covid Years – Time for Change.

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2 comments on “A life far from normal”

  1. My world hasn't ever been anything close to normal, which is why I can relate so well with you. When it comes to the pandemic, people act like the virus is going to magically go away, when we know that definitely isn't the case.

    It wouldn't take that much for everyone to do the right things, but so many don't want to because it's too uncomfortable. It's ridiculous, that people refuse to do the right thing.

    I appreciate governments make the rules and people are following what they're told, but we know the virus is still here, therefore it make sense to protect those who are vulnerable and clinically vulnerable.

    My daughter has cerebral palsy and is also vulnerable.

    1. Thanks Randy... I'm with you. For those who are vulnerable and clinically vulnerable when do they get to live their lives.

      Cases are rising, there may be few deaths due to the fact that we have Omicron, but Omicron can mutate and it is still untreatable.

      Life is far from normal. It would be great if we could work together to at least help Omicron on its way even if we can't get rid of it.

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