Of course, the answer is no. Disabling accidents and illnesses can strike anyone. There is no moral failure in being unable to work. Despite this, many people who have no option but to go on Social Security disability feel like they have failed. This article is a heartfelt account of one such person.
One Man’s Account Of How It Feels To Be Disabled
I recommend reading the story and passing it along to anyone you know who believes that those people on disability are lazy grifters. As the author of this article notes, most people on Social Security disability would rather be working. Their inability to do so has caused them to feel shame. This shame has left them isolated and depressed.
If more people understood the true nature of Social Security disability, several good things could happen. First, we might stop demonizing those people who cannot work. Second, we could decide to provide the resources Social Security needs to timely process disability claims.
Judge Not . . .
Next time you are tempted to judge those who can no longer work, keep this article in mind.
Do you know anyone who has been forced out of work? How did it affect him or her? What can we do to assure the disabled that they did not do anything wrong?