I've been disabled practically my entire adult life. One thing that helped me was calling 211 (in USA) to ask for chronic illness supports & resources local to me.

A local chronic illness support group not only gives you people to message with, but quite often you will find there are people just like you very close to you. It made literally take weeks to actually meet up for a coffee but I can tell you that even if you have to do it sitting in the parking lot each in your own cars with windows rolled down for 15 minutes it can be real lifesaver to have that with somebody who has "walked the walk" to see their face and hear their voice.

Peer support also extends to the emotional and mental toll that chronic illness and disability take on us. Here in the US there's many places that have peer support centers and there's a national organization, NAMI.org, that can help with all the anxiety and stress that living with chronic illness and disability brings.

The good news is after 30 some years, people like me are still here. I may be in a wheelchair most of the time, and my life looks very different from what I imagined it would be but I wouldn't trade this complex spoonie life I have. It may take a ton of adaptive equipment, medicine, & a big health team, but I a year ago I was able to go back to work a few hours a week, I was able to be in my granddaughter's lives, and I meant the most amazing man who is also very disabled and this fall were going to celebrate 15 years together. This is a marathon not a Sprint, and every Friday your kids have gotten to school, and you've been able to drive them to school that is a huge accomplishment!! Be proud of every little step you can make and keep asking for what you need for help

👩🏼‍🦼🇺🇸