Please don’t think I’m trying to be nosey, it’s just that on a forum I regularly visit and comment on, a contributor mentioned the apparently close link to handicrafts and one of the medical conditions I have. Is anyone else on this forum officially disabled too?
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I’d imagine there’s probably a fair few- particularly of people who may be unable to work a conventional job (whatever that is I guess) but I’m sure you know what I mean- I guess the crafting can be a good way of making some extra money and it’s enjoyable too.
I’d also imagine for some people, it’s putting some things back in your control.
I’m not disabled- but my mum is (she had health issues for a long time and was only able to work 14 hours a week at Asda) she never really did anything in the house apart from watch TV yet she always commented on the things I was doing as things she’d like to try. I would buy her those ‘kit’ craft things and help her get started with things but it never really went anywhere- I believe she just didn’t find her craft! I think we all have one! Haha (I am saying things in the past tense simply because she’s in hospital and has been for 9 months now and is unfortunately now completely paralysed- so sadly any form of crafting is no longer an issue) 
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I am under the disability discrimination protection with my day job my list of conditions seems to like to grow and grow but i rather doubt i would get anything from the evil PIP assessment lot lol. Although sorry to hear about the poor health of the above posters family member, i do think they are bang on point with finding some form of control…and to distract from dreaded day time tv when housebound.
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Hi, I am classed as disabled, due to a variety of illnesses. I cannot work so I like to keep my mind active by crafting. I have tried several crafts, still don’t think I’ve found ‘my craft’, but do enjoy jewellery making and papercraft. Used to make and decorate cakes, like birthday and wedding cakes but find it too stressful now. I do wonder sometimes why I bother though, only sold 2 things this year, and nothing recently. Maybe my stuff isn’t appealing, or too expensive maybe?
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Yep, don’t want to go into too much detail, as this is an open forum. For me, my Folksy shop is a part time occupation which I can fit around my condition. As @PaulsJewels says, it’s a welcome distraction from the dreaded day time TV!
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Hi - I am not sure what you mean by ‘officially disabled’ there is no registered disabled anymore so what defines whether I am or not?
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Thanks for all your replies. I guess I meant how many don’t go out to work on a 9 to 5,broadly speaking.
Paul’s Jewels, it is worth a try for PIP. The first time I applied unsuccessfully and it took months. However,earlier this year I tried again,enlisting our local DIAL office to check it over. It came through really quickly and now I have standard mobility allowance and a low level of benefit to pay for any help I need.
I’m not stuck in a wheelchair or anything drastic like that,although I do live with a lot of pain. In another life,I was able to do a “normal” job as a teacher,but even before I was 40 it became very obvious that I just couldn’t keep going with the path my health was heading.
As some of you say, crafting does help to keep you away from daytime TV - if I spent my day watching that I really would need locking up!
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@PaulsJewels have you looked into Permitted Work. It might be worth looking at.
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Thank you @Greenwood Makes but I do not claim any benefits. I am not registered on claimant system and I still manage to work 2 shifts a week so I do not believe I am eligable. Many thanks though 
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@mumcat2 I have previously applied for PIP on consultant telling me too, and after the assessment process was deemed as not able to claim.That was before more issues were diagnosed though LOL.
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Particularly if you’ve had new diagnoses,I still would give PIP a go. There are “hidden” helps such as a blue badge from your council,50% off road tax,and no VAT on aids such as things to help in the kitchen. It might sound a bit trivial,but it adds up nicely…and personally,I found psychologically that it was a “stamp” telling everyone that my problems are genuine and not my hypochondria. Sometimes, even with MRIs’ evidence and dozens of tablets daily, I struggle to convince myself that I am disabled!
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I have spinal osteoarthritis and hypopituaritism with is a life threatening condition with many symptoms. I work part time with special needs children.
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Hi DeniM Jewellery
I’m classed had disabled, I have complicated Hashimotos disease, M. E. and I suffer tachycardia, I feel very exhausted a lot of the time but I remain positive and able to do my craft on the better days, I have a husband who has fibromyalgia, panaars disease and early onset Altzimers, we cope together. It all sounds depressing but its the norm for us and we are able to have a happy life by understanding each other and our limitations. To look at me I look well, I send my warmest love to all you who are disabled in some way
Sue
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Our daughter has had M.E. for the last seventeen years, so my heartfelt sympathy for you and your husband. My husband had an appt.re spinal fusion last week,and tomorrow we see a consultant to schedule his second inguinal hernia surgery. He also has 20+ years of chronic clinical depression,which rears its ugly head now and again. Our daughter and her partner live with us too - we offered them our spare bedroom, which was my craft room, four years ago when a “friend” gave them 48 hours’ notice. Jenni has recently been diagnosed with Ehler’s-Danlos to go with her ME,and her partner has just been diagnosed with fatty liver disease and type2 diabetes. The only healthy ones in our house are the cats who are brilliant company on off-days.
As you say,you do adjust and make it the norm - I picked up prescriptions today - 1 for Steve (husband) one for Matt(Jenni’s chap) and ( don’t hold your breath!) eleven for me. At least being hypothyroid and hypopituitary I get free prescriptions.
In common with you,I look well,though recently I’ve started to limp because of hip pain,and standing in one place is problematic but as you,we generally stay positive. I saw a geneticist a few months ago and his copy letter complimented us on our attitude,which I was really pleased about. You probably are like me in trying to be cheerful in public but have occasional attacks of lack of self-esteem and self-worth but small compliments like making a sale go a very long way. All of us need to just keep plodding along!
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Well since a two month stay in hospital last year and further visits to specialists I cannot go out and work and neither can I get any financial help… so working online is a lifeline to me.
I am sure it must be to many people and I would say without this I would be in a sorry state… everyone needs hope and something that they feel they can do that is worthwhile, and thank goodness for art and for creating …
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