I can't walk more than a metre or so even with a walking aid. I can't work, cook, clean or shower myself. Sitting is a problem.The Elephant House is stuffed full of disability aids. I have a badge for disabled parking, and my husband is my official carer..
So why is it so hard to admit I'm Disabled!???
In this short series of Blogs I'll be taking you on my journey of acquired disability. From a person with quite the aversion to being disabled to someone who, for better or worse, IS the owner of a disabled body.
If you have ever watched the Disney film Dumbo, you will have witnessed some out and out ABLEIST bullying, to the Pachyderm star of the show. Disabled by his huge ears, the titular hero is treated as a freak, and made to jump ( as he thinks), to his death, to entertain a crowd. Miraculously his flapping ears means he can fly.
I am an elephant who can't fly.
For most of us, waving our disablilities in front of people feels less like salvation, and more like humiliation.. Even using disabled facilities, or disabled parking can lead to curious staring or comments.
In the past, joining a ' Freak Show' was a possiblity for disabled people with few available job options. Arguably the modern iteration of this is what is know as 'Inspiration Porn'.INSPIRATION PORN is the story of how a disabled person /people, overcame their disability to become exceptional in some way,( with the intention of leaving the able- bodied audiennce feeling good).
'"So Inspiring! "
At the other end of the spectrum is the trope of Benefit- scrounging slackers who just don't try hard enough.
Neither of these stereotypes is helpful, most of us are not aiming to be exceptional, nor are we pulling a fast one and pretending disability.
It is not our job to inspire able bodied people.We just want to be able to have the dignity of respecting our body's limits, and getting the assistance we need.
Why is that that SO hard?!
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