I read on the BBC news that depression is seen as a more disabling condition than asthma and arthritis. I think that sometimes, when you have a physical disability, then depression or a mental illness can sometimes go hand in hand with that. Feeling down is a natural part of life but when you are physically disabled too it can kind of compound the problems. Do others agree that depression is more disabling?

Hi, yes I wholeheartedly agree. I've hit what to me is rock-bottom (vague thoughts of suicide) a couple of times but when I'm up, dressed and my temperamental leg isn't playing up I just get myself off doing something and alive is a good thing to be again.

There is a line in the movie Flight of the Phoenix when they're stuck in the desert that goes something like "if you can't give people love, then give them hope, and if you can't give people hope then at least give them something to do". Works for me.

All the best, monkey