Locked in syndrome and happiness

[VoidCat]

After reading the post by @Spiderman saying he'd rather be dead then deaf or blind I thought I'd post this:
Most 'locked-in' people are happy, survey finds | New Scientist

Imagine that you are totally paralysed but still have all your mental faculties. You can communicate only through rudimentary speech or limited movements such as blinking or moving your eyes. You wouldn’t be happy, would you? It turns out that you probably would: contrary to most people’s assumptions, happiness is the norm among people with locked-in syndrome (LIS).

In the largest survey ever of the feelings and emotions of people with LIS, 72 per cent communicated that they were happy with their lot.

“Many rated their quality of life as higher than I would have done,” says Steven Laureys at the Coma Science Group at the University of Liège in Belgium, head of the survey team.

Many disabled people are happy despite of their disabilities. Now I can understand wanting death because of a disease that would kill you slowly and painfully I get that. Im in support of euthanasia in some cases. But many folks who are Deaf, Deaf-blind or blind are very happy and adapt fine. So to folks who would rather be dead then disabled(not including disablities that are incurable and will kill you slowly and painfully) why is that? Do y'all not think y'all be able to adapt? Do y'all really think it's that terrible? Maybe it's cuz I am disabled this rubbed me the wrong way. But disability is not something that is terrible in of itself usually. 1 in 4 people have a disability if I recall correctly. It is a minority that anyone at any time can become part of. Yet we still act as tho it's this horrible topic to be avoided and those who have disabilities are suffering to the point they should die...what do they think? What do they feel really about their lives? @Spiderman I mean no disrespect. Im not calling you out. This is just an issue I've noticed people saying all the time. Not on RF per se but I've had people tell me to my face that I should kill myself cuz Im autistic. But I'm happy. Im trying to understand this viewpoint is all. Seeing what you and others who hold this view feel. Cuz I do not understand this view at all. I'll try not to get heated. I probably wont even quote folk. I just want to understand.

 

[JustGeorge]

If one didn't know what it was like to see or hear, one obviously can't miss it. However, if one is heavily reliant on either or both senses, the idea of giving them up permanently may seem entirely unacceptable.

To an extent, I think its a reflection of how secure or happy the person is to begin with. An unhappy person may be more deeply affected, because they feel even more deprived then they were before, where a happy person my view it as just another challenge amidst a sea of obstacles.

 

[VoidCat]

If one didn't know what it was like to see or hear, one obviously can't miss it. However, if one is heavily reliant on either or both senses, the idea of giving them up permanently may seem entirely unacceptable.

To an extent, I think its a reflection of how secure or happy the person is to begin with. An unhappy person may be more deeply affected, because they feel even more deprived then they were before, where a happy person my view it as just another challenge amidst a sea of obstacles.

Maybe I reacted too strongly. It's just to me saying that youd rather be dead then have a particular disability that you can adapt to just seem similar to saying that disabled people's lives don't matter. @Spiderman Im sorry if I reacted too strongly.

 

[Spiderman]

After reading the post by @Spiderman saying he'd rather be dead then deaf or blind I thought I'd post this:
Most 'locked-in' people are happy, survey finds | New Scientist

Many disabled people are happy despite of their disabilities. Now I can understand wanting death because of a disease that would kill you slowly and painfully I get that. Im in support of euthanasia in some cases. But many folks who are Deaf, Deaf-blind or blind are very happy and adapt fine. So to folks who would rather be dead then disabled(not including disablities that are incurable and will kill you slowly and painfully) why is that? Do y'all not think y'all be able to adapt? Do y'all really think it's that terrible? Maybe it's cuz I am disabled this rubbed me the wrong way. But disability is not something that is terrible in of itself usually. 1 in 4 people have a disability if I recall correctly. It is a minority that anyone at any time can become part of. Yet we still act as tho it's this horrible topic to be avoided and those who have disabilities are suffering to the point they should die...what do they think? What do they feel really about their lives? @Spiderman I mean no disrespect. Im not calling you out. This is just an issue I've noticed people saying all the time. Not on RF per se but I've had people tell me to my face that I should kill myself cuz Im autistic. But I'm happy. Im trying to understand this viewpoint is all. Seeing what you and others who hold this view feel. Cuz I do not understand this view at all. I'll try not to get heated. I probably wont even quote folk. I just want to understand.

Sorry,

I am disabled physically and spent ten weeks in a wheel chair from a suicide attempt jump off a building. I would beg for euthanasia than live a full life span in a wheel chair or blind and deaf.

I actually am disabled, and very suicidal as is.

I do not believe it is common for disabled people to want suicide. You strike me as being plenty happy and able to enjoy life. I'm happy to hear that and happy for you.

As of now, most of the time, I don't want to kill myself. But I am sorry if my negative outlook has rubbed you the wrong way.

It's just how I feel personally. But I would never say that people with disabilities would be better of not existing. Were I were an omnipotent God, I would of course heal them, but if they are stuck with permanent handicaps, many would be happy people (handicaps and all). I have known people in wheelchairs that are very happy. I have also known people with severe mental handicaps (that cause very low IQ and learning disabilities), who appear very happy (Even more happy than most people with high IQ's).

I'm sometimes happy.

 

[Spiderman]

Maybe I reacted too strongly. It's just to me saying that youd rather be dead then have a particular disability that you can adapt to just seem similar to saying that disabled people's lives don't matter. @Spiderman Im sorry if I reacted too strongly.

I'm deeply troubled that I said that and it affected you that way. I'm sorry sweetheart.

I didn't mean it like that at all.

 

[VoidCat]

I'm deeply troubled that I said that and it affected you that way. I'm sorry sweetheart.

I didn't mean it like that at all.

I understand. I'm sorry I reacted so strongly.

 

[VoidCat]

Sorry,

I am disabled physically and spent ten weeks in a wheel chair from a suicide attempt jump off a building. I would beg for euthanasia than live a full life span in a wheel chair or blind and deaf.

I actually am disabled, and very suicidal as is.

I do not believe it is common for disabled people to want suicide. You strike me as being plenty happy and able to enjoy life. I'm happy to hear that and happy for you.

As of now, most of the time, I don't want to kill myself. But I am sorry if my negative outlook has rubbed you the wrong way.

It's just how I feel personally. But I would never say that people with disabilities would be better of not existing. Were I were an omnipotent God, I would of course heal them, but if they are stuck with permanent handicaps, many would be happy people (handicaps and all). I have known people in wheelchairs that are very happy. I have also known people with severe mental handicaps (that cause very low IQ and learning disabilities), who appear very happy (Even more happy than most people with high IQ's).

I'm sometimes happy.

I get that.

 

[Spiderman]

I also can't say I'm usually suicidal

@RayofLight

Sometimes yes.

But Mother Goddess and my Queens in Heaven give me much joy. Even sober euphoria where I'm extremely happy that they are in my life. They are my world and everything to me. They are all I have going for me even. But I have a constant bombardment from Christians and Muslim Theologians and writings, condemning me as being satanic for my devotion to the Divine Feminine. A lot of people think I should be ashamed of myself and repent.

 

[VoidCat]

I also can't say I'm usually suicidal

@RayofLight

Sometimes yes.

But Mother Goddess and my Queens in Heaven give me much joy. Even sober euphoria where I'm extremely happy that they are in my life. They are my world and everything to me. They are all I have going for me even. But I have a constant bombardment from Christians and Muslim Theologians and writings, condemning me as being satanic for my devotion to the Divine Feminine. A lot of people think I should be ashamed of myself and repent.

I love my gods and goddesses too

 

[Meow Mix]

I can’t say that I was ever suicidal after losing my voice despite some neurotic thoughts and depression over thinking I’d forever be alone. But I don’t suffer from clinical depression and I know a lot of people do. I could see how a disability might contribute to someone’s depression (it gave me depression, and sometimes issues related still do; but triggered depression is not the same as clinical depression). Still, I understand that we should all be careful not to insinuate that a disabled life isn’t worth living as a generality.

 

[Spiderman]

I can’t say that I was ever suicidal after losing my voice despite some neurotic thoughts and depression over thinking I’d forever be alone. But I don’t suffer from clinical depression and I know a lot of people do. I could see how a disability might contribute to someone’s depression (it gave me depression, and sometimes issues related still do; but triggered depression is not the same as clinical depression). Still, I understand that we should all be careful not to insinuate that a disabled life isn’t worth living as a generality.

Was it complete loss of voice? I have had temporary loss of voice.

How did it happen? Is it going to get better maybe?

(Don't answer if you don't want to).

 

[Meow Mix]

Was it complete loss of voice? I have had temporary loss of voice.

How did it happen? Is it going to get better maybe?

(Don't answer if you don't want to).

Yes, I’m aphonic from bilateral paralysis of the vocal folds caused by nerve damage from a car accident in my mid 20’s.

I think it’s gotten as better as it’s ever going to get after some treatments and time (my folds can occasionally catch for a hoarse whisper, called dysphonia). There was a surgery I opted out of that would have repositioned my vocal folds, but it wasn’t guaranteed to work and I didn’t want to do it.

So most of the time I can produce nothing. Sometimes a hoarse whisper, rarely. It doesn’t sound pretty so I usually just don’t even then

 

[Spiderman]

Yes, I’m aphonic from bilateral paralysis of the vocal folds caused by nerve damage from a car accident in my mid 20’s.

I think it’s gotten as better as it’s ever going to get after some treatments and time (my folds can occasionally catch for a hoarse whisper, called dysphonia). There was a surgery I opted out of that would have repositioned my vocal folds, but it wasn’t guaranteed to work and I didn’t want to do it.

So most of the time I can produce nothing. Sometimes a hoarse whisper, rarely. It doesn’t sound pretty so I usually just don’t even then

Well,

For what it's worth. You have a strong voice in my opinion. And you are a voice for women. Don't you ever forget that!

And you have taught me more than you realize. Even as a result of that car accident. You don't know how your example impacts other people.

 

[Spiderman]

But I am sorry to hear you going through that.

 

[Meow Mix]

But I am sorry to hear you going through that.

It’s been over a decade, I’ve adapted well; and have a very strong support system in my most amazing friends and family ^.^

 

[Spiderman]

It’s been over a decade, I’ve adapted well; and have a very strong support system in my most amazing friends and family ^.^

That's wonderful news. I'm glad to hear it.
Many don't have that.