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I think this question can be viewed in different ways. After I was diagnosed with MS, I thought it would not be so bad because my symptoms were mild. As the disease has progressed I have had to adjust and as I have come to deal with my disease I have had my confidence grow. I have been told I should be on disability and although I am disabled, I should not be on disability because I still have contributions to make to the world I live in. Recently I was diagnosed with diabetes and I am coming to terms with that as well. Thus, confidence is for me a process that requires my coming to terms with my situation. It is a journey that begins with the first step.

Yes, Barney, the question can be asked on many different levels, it's true. Because we, in this eSight community. have different levels of experience and self -confidence or lack of self-confidence depending upon where we are in our respective journeys.

To say "that you should not be on disability because you have contributions to make in the world you live in", is a mean spirited put down of those who are on social assistance or disability through no fault of their own in the vast majority of cases.

That is not kind nor does it come from any kind of positive confidence balance. Whether we "work" for a living and get paid a salary or we volunteer as our work or we work at home with children and or aged parents ,we all still make a valuable contribution to the world.

With the global economy the way it is , people losing their jobs, losing their homes, their life's possession a comment like your's doesn't show them much or any dignity.

We're all somebodies and nobodies at the same time. And you have just shown a real example of a person with a disability putting down others with disabilities who aren't like you. We get that enough from society at large, surely a pwd who has more than one disability is able to look beyond such superficiality.

Become more Competent!

Read all the, confidence building literature, attend Self-Promotional Conferences' and get encouragement from many source's.

Get up early and declare that, today, I am confident... get Breakfast, enjoy a third cup of strong, coffee and reassess your situation.

Have you remained Cheerful, spontaneous and highly motivated?

Does a very abiding reality alter your mood?

Total blindness and other nagging health consideration's still cloud's the view of your, life, and attitude's.

Try your very best not to even think of the current, 8.5% level of unemployment, or the Government actually taking over Major Industry. Don't think of the drive to allow, Labor Union's to infiltrate all level's, type's and size Enterprise. Blind and severely disabled, seldom enter those realm's.

Thinking just might be considering such things as perhaps, just plain old, survival. Begin assessing your, personal safety net, including; level of income, type of income, relative's and friend's that are available and reliable in case the need arises.

At this Moment in our illustrious history each individual must assess their, survival and maintenance, strategy' and capacities.

Strong Capitalism promotes and sustains a Healthy and prosperous Society. A vibrant, growth oriented, economy is generally favorable to those of us who are disabled and generally have fewer work and other option's

We are now thrust into a very weakened, over stressed and very uncertain times. Government's, other than Capitalists' most often provide little, if any, employment opportunities for Disabled. There usually exists', high unemployment, under unemployment limited health and medical care, with the most desirable job's offered to Person's who are in good standing with the particular, Government.

At this date we need a serious review and study of active Legislation pertaining to, Blind and Disabled, Communities.

There is all the Talk of College, Training, Education and it is all a lot of very hot air. The citizenry around the country are scared, frustrated, uncertain, confused and wondering, Day by Day just what and how and where are we really heading History tells us without no doubt that any major change of One form of Government to another is harsh, cruel and severely damaging to most of it's People.

On the other Hand maybe I am just an old, blind, man holding on to conservative views and philosophy and just cannot appreciate the notion of, "Hope and Change". I remain quite confident that what is happening here and around the World is not in the best interest's of the General Population and certainly hold's true for Disabled.

"Confidence Building" is a lifelong pursuit. Personally, each task however ssmall, is a "Confidence Builder" as one meets the challenge with a commitment to put forth ones personal best, commit to completing the task and learning from whatever barriers may confront the individual as he/she focuses on that success.

Whether we identify ourselves as "TAB" or PWD", we all have an inate desire to achieve the best possible outcome in our lives. With the support of family, friends and intimates, we develop "confidence" that are efforts will achieve the required results. If we fail to recognize our personal worth, we limit our abilities to meet the diverse challenges that face each of us in our daily lives and, it is those achievements that provide our internal Confidence Builders which lead us to doing more than we expect of ourselves.

The goal for each of us is to attack each challenge with the confidence we can achieve what we desire and the outcomes that add to our quality of life.