In this unfiltered and thought-provoking episode, Lois and Ian explore the blurry line between being disabled and being disabling—and what it really means to navigate the world as a neurodivergent person. From snowy dog walks and snotty cats to ruptured appendices and medical gaslighting, Disability vs. Disabling – Part 1 is a raw conversation about identity, health, and the systems that often fail to see the full picture.

Key themes include:

• Why “neurodivergent” isn’t always considered a disability—and why that matters

• The social model of disability vs. medical definitions

• Pain perception, masking, and the cost of being “fine”

• Pet stories, leash laws, and what our animals teach us about behavior and safety

• How misunderstanding neurodivergence can be dangerous in medical settings

Whether you’ve ever had your pain dismissed, questioned your diagnosis, or wondered if your difference really counts as a disability, this episode offers validation, nuance, and a few laughs along the way.