The title is hyperbole, but I did find it funny so I want to share it here.
I am a medical student doing clinical rotations. I just finished a 6-week pediatrics rotation. This was the first time I am seeing patients by myself. I was absolutely terrified at the start because I had no idea how it all would go. I decided to disclose my autism to my supervisor (a pediatrician) at the start (which is another can of worms but it's not a decision I made lightly). I used the word "disability" and "autism spectrum disorder" because those are the terms used by the faculty so I figured that would be the clearest.
Things went pretty okay overall. Yesterday I had my final evaluation and my supervisor said, paraphrased "when you disclosed your disability I was a bit worried over how it would go because pediatrics has a high social demand. But now I've seen you over the past weeks and for me, I can say that I don't consider you to have a disability at all. There was no dysfunction present."
I know it was meant with the best of intentions and I do take it as a compliment overall but also it is so funny to me. Fellas you heard it here, I am disabled no longer and henceforth shall require no further supports.
I guess there's something to be said about the "hidden costs" that my supervisor didn't see. Being non-dysfunctional on-shift requires a certain degree of management off-shift like forfeiting fun activities to make sure I have enough energy to get through each day. I also increased my medication dosage before starting these rotations and I do think that has helped with decreasing my overall anxiety levels.