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I was trying to think of a common example that able-bodied people could use to understand how hurtful and dismissive it is to invite a disabled person to go somewhere that is inaccessible (and then usually get pissed for saying no) but none came to mine. Eventually, I went with a broad termed example of racial segregation even though it felt insensitive, but as I tried to water it down to avoid appropriation of oppression I realized there were a lot of commonalities.
Is inaccessibility an existent form of segregation of classes?
Many nice restaurants have inaccessible bars and private areas; likewise, most stores have areas I am unable to access. When bringing this to the attention of whoever may be in charge they tend to say whatever is needed can be brought out to the common area for me instead of finding a way to let me have access to every “public” area.
No signs saying “no gimps” hang up to warn us off but we all know the handicap sticker on places we do have access to; is this any better? Instead of facilities and shops advertising their accessibility why don’t we insist on the sticker being used to identify those places we can’t enter? It would save us the time and energy (and pain and embarrassment) of getting accessible transportation only to find we aren’t getting past the threshold (or even through, in some cases)
Our cars are tagged with this symbol as well so police can identify whether we are allowed in accessible parking spaces but some of us don’t need close parking, we need wide spots for our equipment and able-bodied people park in them and on the ramps all the time. Why not make all spaces accessible? Sure, that’s too much, but how about making those who have illegally used handicap spaces identify themselves by a sticker on their car? Why should we be the only ones to even have our cars be defined by disability?
These are budding thoughts; I’m interested in what you all think?
I’m finished with my homework now so I can add my 2 cents. I think this is an important issue. The segregation of able bodied and disabled people may come from different social ideas and systems than racial segregation but the end result is much the same. We can’t patronize certain public spaces and if we get upset about this we are the bad guy. A duck may not be a goose but they’re still both a water foul. Racial segregation came from prejudice and is systemic. Disability segregation comes from a bias and is systemic. People who are outwardly hostile toward people with disabilities may be convicted in the public forum of prejudice but the systemic bias that supports the segregatory practices in our society are deffended by the very same people who would call this person out on his/her prejudice.
What must be understood is we are not angry that you do or make something that is inaccessible to us unintentionally, but we are a bit angry that we are chastised for pointing this out. We are people who would like the same opportunities everyone else gets in the public or otherwise. How are we different from the non-disabled person in this regard? If a system is created, intentional or otherwise, to keep the cripple down should we not want to change this? I think we should not only want to change this but take action to do so. We have certain laws in place that help protect us from this behavior it is true but they are only effective if enforced and as a whole very short sighted. We as the slighted party have the obligation to bring these issues to the violators. And if they don’t like it well that’s just too bad.
(via thegirlinthechair13)
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If you can’t contribute to society, you don’t need to be here. I’m sorry for that persons luck, but nothing can be done about it until we advance far enough to where we can fix it. I cannot name one completely handicapped person who has contributed anything major to society.
Good day.
” —iquiveratyourname (via sinidentidades)
oh.
(via unknowablewoman)
I SWEAR TO FUCKING GOD.
I DON’T EVEN BELIEVE IN GOD.
BUT FOR FUCK’S SAKE.
…WHAT THE EVER-LOVING FUCK?
EDIT: FAMOUS PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES
Read: Stephen Hawking, Frida Kahlo, F.D.R., Charles Dickens, Alfred Nobel, Fokko du Cloux, Ludwig von Beethoven…
I’m not sure what the OP means by “completely handicapped person,” but I suspect his inability to name one is due to his own ignorance, rather than the (in)significance of people with disabilities.
(via gotquirks)
re-reblogging for the edit. (and the mention of frida kahlo!)
(via uctdgirl)
In a new and exciting addendum to ‘things which are butts’, we are proud to present to you ‘things which are not butts!*’
I recently found myself caught in a catch 22. Where on the one hand I had a dermatologist insisting I cover myself in steroid goop and shower it off erry day, and on the other hand I am not good at standing up for that long at the best of times - and now is distinctly not the best of times (thanks ataxia, MS and postural hypotension, love you guys).
Until Ezekiel went shopping and found us this.
Now, this isn’t near as magic as some, there ain’t any back support, it doesn’t lower and raise you out of the tub and other magic like that, but what it does do is let me sit down and take a shower - and that has been the most utterly liberating thing on earth for the past fortnight or so.
Shower seats y’all, liberating and decidedly not butts.
(via gimpunk)
lifeless-muse asked: That makes more sense when you say it like that. The word has been used towards me in an attack type manner alot when I was a kid. So I suppose that's why I dislike it so much. That being said, I am proud of who I am and I don't let a word determine my feelings about myself. And thank you for explaining all that to me.
:) I try not to be offensive more often than not. But about things that I feel are truly offensive, not on things merely considered to be by PC language. I think it sucks that people would use part of who we are to break us down but unfortunately that is one of the more effective was to attack someones self-esteem. I find it liberating to take these words back and remake them so even if they are used in such a manner they no longer have the power to hurt me. Its a little lesson I learned from the black community. They are masters at reclaiming and re-purposing harmful words and turning them into something not just harmless but positive. It makes their community stronger and closer as a whole. We can do the same.
Just think about how much more impressive cripples are when they accomplish great things. Its harder for us in the current society as it is not set up for us. Oh you ran a marathon… cool so did that guy and he has no legs. Cripple guy is tougher than non cripple guy any day of the week. Oh so you road in the tour de France… so did she but she did it with here arms, suck it! Cripple is a badge of honor not an insult. I hope that more crippled people will take this stance. If we change the way we see ourselves we can change the way others see us.
Tim
Anonymous asked: Okay, I don't know if this question was rhetorical or not, but what able-bodied people have to figure how they can use a public restroom? Transgender people and gender non-conforming people. I have to weigh out every time I need to use a bathroom the potential of being assaulted for being in an 'inappropriate' restroom.
I think it is something most people take for granted. It is eye opening to most people when they realise that something as simple as using a public restroom can be a luxury not always available. For example at my college my major’s main building has only one bathroom I can use on the second floor. Not because it has only one ‘accessible’ bathroom but because they other bathroom is designed in such a way that people in a wheelchair can’t use the accessible stall. It has one but its useless.
Not to mention anxiety or other emotional or mental issues can make it too stressful to use public restrooms. Transgender is an issue completely in the realm of societal stress that may make someone who is transgender-ed be unable use many aspects of public life. But it is difficult to make someone who has no idea that this exists to understand this. I guess we just have to stay as visible as we can in the hope that more people will gain a little incite.
If all us minorities stand together we won’t be so minor anymore.
Anonymous asked: why are you in a wheelchair?
I broke my neck at 16 on a trampoline. I was a gymnast before my injury. It only takes one bad fall but I can honestly say I still think that is one of the best sports ever. If I got the use of my whole body again tomorrow I’d want to do it again.
lifeless-muse asked: I am extremely shocked that you use the word 'cripple' so openly. The word is very degrading. Speaking from life experience, it's hurtful being called a cripple. I've been living with my disability since birth and there's only two words I absolutely hate. Cripple and the 'R' word. I do find your blog interesting but your use of the word has resulted in you losing a lot of respect. Sorry.
That’s your choice but I think there is nothing wrong with the word cripple. I find it more problematic and degrading to be lumped with every kind of disability so the rest of the world can feel happy about my life. I don’t think it’s helpful or meaningful, and I think its ableist to think that a word that describes my situation is degrading. I’m not ashamed to be crippled and I shouldn’t be ashamed of the word either. If other people are uncomfortable with that they are the ones with the problem. I won’t make my life sound all lollipops and rainbows so some person I don’t know can feel better about themselves. It doesn’t help me to allow people to use language that let’s them ignore me. You’re entitled to your opinion but I personally think your opinion blows, and I’m a bit sad that you feel degraded over a word that might partly describe who you are. It is not degrading to be yourself.
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“Having a disability does not make on disabled. It only makes some things a little more challenging. We, as humans, are born to adapt to changes within ourselves and changes around us. Yet, so much ignorance still exists towards those who appear different.”
~Misa on Wheels (https://www.facebook.com/MisaOnWheels)
(via devoteen)
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My good friend has opened a small publishing company and I’m helping with their first release which is an anthology of romance stories featuring disabled people.
If any of you write please check out the submission guidelines; I want to make this a great contribution to the normalization of sexual and romantic aspects of disabled people…AND YOU GET PAID!!!
http://www.goodmourningpublishing.com/
Seriously, give this some attention.
Just told Wikipedia off cuz they said that Jason Street from Friday Night Lights is a paraplegic after his accident. Bull shit! He’s a quadriplegic, not a paraplegic.
I’m rather proud of the fact that unlike the a.b. (able bodied) who wrote that bull shit, I know the difference between a quad and a para. And dear Tumblr, Jason Street was not a para!
Take that Wikipedia!
Oh god…I’m such a fucking nerd/dork. And damn proud of that and proud of my wheels.
Hooah.
I hate being told I’m not a quad. I guess my doctors don’t know as much about spinal cord injuries as random guy at the store does. I guess I have been mistaken about my diagnosis for 13 years. It’s a good thing that people who know nothing about the nervous system are around to set me straight.
(Source: crippledbrat)