34 Tweets That Prove Disability Has No Age Requirement

Navigating disability in a world that simply doesn’t cater to your access needs is difficult enough as is, but when you’re no longer a minor and not yet a senior, you begin to realize that a lot of doors to the resources you need are closed, locked with an age requirement you either exceed or have yet to meet.

In the beginning of the pandemic, the common rhetoric going around was that only elderly people were considered vulnerable people. A year later and nothing has changed much in that regard. The issue here is the same as the issue regarding the lack of access to resources: a large chunk of the disability community is left to slip through the cracks, unable to find the resources needed.

I have first-hand experience with this. I have been disabled my entire life but with the development of two additional disabling conditions at 21, I was launched into a world where I had to advocate for myself, fight for treatment and navigate a world that didn’t even acknowledge my demographic.

So newly disabled Teona noticed this three years ago but it's SO HARD to find resources that aren't geared towards abled family members trying to find things for their elderly disabled loved ones.

Everything I ever needed was illustrated with images and videos of elderly people

— teona | crip gossip girl ♿????????‍???????? (@tee_spoonie) January 24, 2021

According to the 2017 Disability Statistics Annual Report, “of the U.S. population with disabilities, over half (51%) were people between the working ages of 18-64, while 41.4% were 65 and older.” We make up such a large portion and yet barely receive a crumb of the representation, support or resources.

This is where the #DisabilityHasNoAgeRequirement hashtag came in. Others and myself from the ages of 17 to our 40s and 50s were fed up with not being able to get what we need. For chronic illnesses and physical disabilities, we were “too young” to deal with things requiring mobility aids, caregivers, etc., but for neurodivergence like ADHD, dyslexia or Autism, we were “too old” and expected to have grown out of them.

Okay so if y'all wanna share your experiences with this, our tag can be #DisabilityHasNoAgeRequirement

It makes no sense why such a large portion of our population isn't truly represented.

— teona | crip gossip girl ♿????????‍???????? (@tee_spoonie) January 24, 2021

Here are 34 tweets with the hashtag #DisabilityHasNoAgeRequirement showing that no one is too young or too old to be disabled. 

1.

Yes, I’m in my teens. Yes, my back, joints, and muscles all suck. Yes, I’m on a lot of prescribed meds. It happens. #DisabilityHasNoAgeRequirement

— Derek Schmitz (they/he) (@derekischmitz) January 24, 2021

2.

Children with cerebral palsy grow into adults with cerebral palsy and then elders with cerebral palsy.

Autistic children become autistic adults who then become autistic elders.

They all matter.#DisabilityHasNoAgeRequirement

— Ava (^～^) #BlackDisabledLivesMatter (@Ava_Nicole23) January 24, 2021

3.

A late autism diagnosis does not mean that a person "less autistic." It means that invisible disabilities are ignored/pathologized, diagnostic tools are biased, and the psychology field is largely inaccessible. #DisabilityHasNoAgeRequirement

— Lauren Melissa (@autienelle) January 25, 2021

4.

Disability doesn't have a look or age requirement. It can happen to anyone at ANY age. #DisabilityHasNoAgeRequirement

— ????Bibi????????????♿ (@bibicosplays) January 24, 2021

5.

My insurance cut my ADHD medication off at 18. Said it's not an adult disability and only kids have it (and you grow out of it). Only this year did I finally get re-diagnosed. #DisabilityHasNoAgeRequirement

— Kelsey (@Kelsey82407) January 24, 2021

6.

Random person: ‘you’re too young to need that thing’ gesturing towards my wheelchair/walking stick/blue badge

Me not in the mood for your ableism: ‘and I’d say you were old enough to know not to be so rude and inappropriate.’ ????#DisabilityHasNoAgeRequirement

— Kirstie Black ????????????????????‍???? (@KittyDotty) January 24, 2021

7.

I’m being denied SSI because I’m “too young” and in college. I can’t get out of bed more than twice a day but because I’m only 19 it’s assumed I function just fine #DisabilityHasNoAgeRequirement

— bad with names ♿️ (@mediocrebitch47) January 24, 2021

8.

I went to the ER 3 times for severe headaches. I threw up for 24 hrs straight. I was told I was to young to have anything serious. I was diagnosed with occipital neuralgia, cervicogenic headaches, and migraines. #DisabilityHasNoAgeRequirement

— Cameo Gonzales (@CameoGonzales) January 24, 2021

9.

I dont know where this hashtag came from but just a reminder that #DisabilityHasNoAgeRequirement

I became a wheelchair user at 18 after starting to lose my ability to walk at 17 due to a cyst inside my spinal cord. I now have a permanent spinal cord injury. pic.twitter.com/49wprUr55F

— Madison Russell #bIm (@madison_isqueer) January 24, 2021

10.

Remember those “cute little Down Syndrome kids” everyone loves, turn into adults everyone ignores Be more human, everyone counts in this world everyone matters ????????#DisabilityHasNoAgeRequirement pic.twitter.com/oaew1BiAet

— GypseaG (@Gypseagina) January 24, 2021

11.

I see so much of this "all disabled people are elderly" BS on a daily basis. Vaccine eligibility. Local grocery stores only letting over-65 &/or visibly disabled ppl in for high-risk shopping hours. Society so often outright forgets about us. #DisabilityHasNoAgeRequirement

— Alea Ricklefs ???? (@AleaRicklefs) January 24, 2021

12.

When I was 15, I had to leave public school because my teachers, guidance counsellors, and doctor refused to acknowledge that I was disabled, in large part because of my age. I was offered 0 accommodations. #DisabilityHasNoAgeRequirement

— Callie ????️‍???? (@chronicallycal) January 24, 2021

13.

I've had to change primary care doctors so many times because hearing "wow you're so young dealing with all of this" after they look at my chart is exhausting and I'm tired of fake smiling to be polite through it. #DisabilityHasNoAgeRequirement

— S (@sssaaaaaaa_) January 24, 2021

14.

#DisabilityHasNoAgeRequirement

I shouldn’t have to explain my entire life story to every person for them to believe me when I say I am disabled.

— jazz {disgruntled ????} (@jazzthefraz) January 24, 2021

15.

“you’re too young” won’t magically give disabled adolescents and 20 somethings their youth. actual access might help, though ????????‍♀️#DisabilityHasNoAgeRequirement #MakeAbleistsUncomfortable

— Kaela | חנה (@skywritingg) January 24, 2021

16.

I was 14 when I developed a condition diagnosed in ages 45+. I was 18 when I had to install adaptive devices and use mobility aids ft to navigate my home. PTs, OTs, neurologists, and anaesthesiologists said I don’t actually need it bc Im “so young.” #DisabilityHasNoAgeRequirement pic.twitter.com/5HL7nNrdXX

— katherine ????️‍????♿️ (@ohnokatherine) January 24, 2021

17.

I can't remember life "before" pain&fatigue. as a pre/teen I complained daily abt pain&tiredness & was told to change my diet, exercise, stop coffee, etc. drs didnt even take my chest pain seriously&I grew scared to be seen for anything ever #DisabilityHasNoAgeRequirement 1/

— annette ???? (@lesbianblaze) January 24, 2021

18.

Plenty of younger disabled people are immunocompromised and high risk despite being ignored by vaccine plans. #DisabilityHasNoAgeRequirement

— Chronic Tori ???? (@ChronicTori) January 25, 2021

19.

I often get told that I’m too young to feel this sick. That I don’t “look disabled”. I once was on a bus headed cross country & I reserved a disability seat. When I got there they refused to let me sit there bc I didn’t look disabled ☠️#DisabilityHasNoAgeRequirement

— Sol☀️ (@_soledad02) January 24, 2021

20.

I should have had a hip replacement in my 30’s but I was told to wait for consideration until I turn 45.

Not even APPROVAL…just consideration. Wtf?! #DisabilityHasNoAgeRequirement

— Jen ????????‍♀️ (she/ her) (@a_brick_house) January 24, 2021

21.

Despite my CP making it hard to walk long distances, I was embarrassed to get a mobility scooter bc they're all marketed to older ppl. Even though I have the scooter now and I'm more comfortable with it, I still get embarrassed sometimes but #DisabilityHasNoAgeRequirement pic.twitter.com/b0oc7qOtDb

— M ???? (@NeonCrutches) January 24, 2021

22.

I spent 6 years of inadequate care thinking I just "had a sucky immune system," only to discover at 25-26 that I have an autoimmune condition and a connective tissue disorder on top of other things. It took THAT for me to admit that I'm disabled. #DisabilityHasNoAgeRequirement

— Kae (insists you wear a mask) (@kaereature) January 24, 2021

23.

When telling my therapist about adding yet another specialist to my healthcare team to try to diagnose my latest problems she felt the need to reply with “But, you’re so young to have so many issues!” ???? #DisabilityHasNoAgeRequirement

— Christy (@ChrastyBoBasty) January 24, 2021

24.

I had 2 liver transplants and need another one. My 1st liver transplant was when I was 19 months old and the 2nd transplant was when I was 11 years old. So this hashtag relates to me very well & I’m only 25 years old. ???????? #TransplantRecipient #DisabilityHasNoAgeRequirement pic.twitter.com/KWCozOzGPa

— Tiquisha Singleton (@tiquisha25) January 24, 2021

25.

You’re never “too young” to be in pain. You’re never “too young” for any symptoms. Your experiences are valid. #DisabilityHasNoAgeRequirement

— Joanna No Banana (@JoannaNoBanana) January 24, 2021

26.

i’ve had polyarticular rheumatoid arthritis since i was 1 and the amount of times people have told me “you’re too young to have arthritis”//“that’s not a real disability bc i can’t see it”

PLS i’ve been on methotrexate my whole life come on now#DisabilityHasNoAgeRequirement

— autumn (@burnitupbabee) January 24, 2021

27.

#DisabilityHasNoAgeRequirement

I shouldn't have to struggle to find information, strategies, resources for ADHD or autism because all of them assume I'm the parent of an ADHD/autistic kid.

I shouldn't have suffered for unknown years with anxiety because nobody thought that the

— Iz | Isabelle (@IScreamToTheSky) January 24, 2021

28.

I started fainting and being in pain at 17, but I was "too young" for this kind of pain. Almost 15 years later and I'm "too young" to get a wheelchair. I'm mostly house bound and without my partner I would have to go days without eating. Not yet dx#DisabilityHasNoAgeRequirement

— The Lynary System [they/them] (@LynarySystem) January 24, 2021

29.

I was diagnosed with autism and fibromyalgia my senior year of hs. My favorite teacher:
"Why would you need to help now? You do fine." Yeah but it's painful to do!

Or the time old white ladies reported me for sitting at work and I got fired.#DisabilityHasNoAgeRequirement

— Taz, the Warner Sister (@TazB_Leoncillo) January 24, 2021

30.

I was classified as disabled at the age of 17. Lived with an invisible illness my whole life and no one took me seriously. Believe people. Anyone can have a disability at any age. I’m not “too young”. #DisabilityHasNoAgeRequirement pic.twitter.com/ZU5mexqZKS

— Mason Taylor (@MasonTaylor1312) January 25, 2021

31.

Scoliosis was discovered when we were a toddler, instead of putting the diagnosis down it was labeled “growing pains” until we were 10. Even though we’d wake up in the middle of the night crying in pain.

Doctors said we were to young to have it. #DisabilityHasNoAgeRequirement

— Amu ???????? (Decolonize) (@LoveAmuSystem) January 24, 2021

32.

Autistic children become autistic adults.

Both need to be able to access the support they need. #DisabilityHasNoAgeRequirement

— Emily♡ (@ItsEmilyKaty) January 24, 2021

33.

I had a cashier tell me once I was too young to have a cane. Oh. I’m sorry. I never know when my legs might get weak. Let me just fall over so you have to pick me up. Would you like that instead?#DisabilityHasNoAgeRequirement https://t.co/eXXGiCNes4

— Stormy ????️‍????♿????️‍⚧️ (@StormyJane7) January 24, 2021

34.

“You’re too young to have memory problems.”

No the fuck I’m not. Why is it such a foreign concept that young people can have really bad memories? Mine is a major reason I’m always wondering about a bigger disability I haven’t though of yet.

#DisabilityHasNoAgeRequirement

— Jordan ???? (@ThisIsJordanKay) January 24, 2021

Additional reporting by Julia Metraux.