Yes to all of this. I wish it was easier to explain to nondisabled people that albleism hurts them too. Ableism is why they work too much even when they are exhausted. Ableism is why they hide things like pelvic floor issues and other things instead of sharing them and getting support and connection. Ableism is way they don't take sick days.
As a disabled woman who has been stared at my whole life, I think proper disability representation (and accessibility!) would make things so much better. Imagine if kids grew up seeing different bodies regularly in books and on TV and in movies. Kids stare at me because I am probably the first person with a limb difference they have ever seen. And I get that! But it doesn't get any less exhausting.
Amen amen! Bodies are good! Why is it so hard to work against the deeply ingrained messaging that any deviation - from the very narrow representation of “ideal” - is undesirable?
Speaking as someone with a rare genetic disorder that makes me Look Different -- yes to all this.
I once had some Mormon boys, white able-bodied young adults, earnestly tell me that disability is just God giving me Trials And Tribulations so that I would have a better soul when I dies and got to live in Mormon Heaven with a perfect body. They didn't seem amused when I asked why, if physical T&T were so great, they didn't just cut off their legs for an instant boost.
But yes I wish we could just ... accept bodies as they are. Accept digression from the norm. Accept accessibility aides other than just eyeglasses.
I wish we had more representations of disabled people out living their lives. That characters in media could be disabled not for ~inspiration~ or even plot purposes but just existing -- heck, that disabled characters can get played by disabled actors!
Yes to all of this. I wish it was easier to explain to nondisabled people that albleism hurts them too. Ableism is why they work too much even when they are exhausted. Ableism is why they hide things like pelvic floor issues and other things instead of sharing them and getting support and connection. Ableism is way they don't take sick days.
As a disabled woman who has been stared at my whole life, I think proper disability representation (and accessibility!) would make things so much better. Imagine if kids grew up seeing different bodies regularly in books and on TV and in movies. Kids stare at me because I am probably the first person with a limb difference they have ever seen. And I get that! But it doesn't get any less exhausting.
Thanks for your advocacy and your voice.
Allison, thank you for sharing your experiences, and thank you for this great point about representation!
Such important points!!!
Amen amen! Bodies are good! Why is it so hard to work against the deeply ingrained messaging that any deviation - from the very narrow representation of “ideal” - is undesirable?
Congrats on finally watching Crip Camp! I’m not sure I’ve ever cried so much in a film! One of my faves of all time.
Speaking as someone with a rare genetic disorder that makes me Look Different -- yes to all this.
I once had some Mormon boys, white able-bodied young adults, earnestly tell me that disability is just God giving me Trials And Tribulations so that I would have a better soul when I dies and got to live in Mormon Heaven with a perfect body. They didn't seem amused when I asked why, if physical T&T were so great, they didn't just cut off their legs for an instant boost.
But yes I wish we could just ... accept bodies as they are. Accept digression from the norm. Accept accessibility aides other than just eyeglasses.
I wish we had more representations of disabled people out living their lives. That characters in media could be disabled not for ~inspiration~ or even plot purposes but just existing -- heck, that disabled characters can get played by disabled actors!
Hugs to you and your family.
❤️"No staring. No shame. Just bodies being themselves. And people living imperfectly and maybe even joyfully inside them."❤️
I love this piece soooo much. Thank you for all of this thoughtfulness, for putting into words such a great way of framing these issues.
Wow.
That quote from the fitness instructor is so wrong.
Yes! It might be worth trying to find a more positive one? Sydney Cummings Houdyshell is pretty great!