I get the point you’re trying to make, but as someone with multiple disabilities, both mental and physical, I can’t help but feel an icky taste in my mouth after saying “disability pride”. As if my brain damage, anxiety or cerebral palsy, to mention a few, is something to be proud of, rather than something to work on overcoming, in order to live my best life.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying one should be ashamed of ones disabilities, not acknowledge ones limitations and be comfortable with that, but to have them as an object of pride seems counter productive at best.
I think we all could use some time to reflect on how other people experience their day to day, at least I know I benefit from trying to raise my perspective to above my immediate self.
I see where you are coming from but I personally like Disability Pride. I have schizo affective disorder, Fibromyalgia and Ehlers Danlos syndrome. My mind and body are a dumpster fire on the best of day’s but I feel pride in my body never giving up and always doing its best despite everything wrong with it. I feel pride for my mind continuing to fight, sometimes for literal survival.
Your disabilities might not be something to feel proud of, but the fact you continue to live and function as much as you can, is.
not saying one should be ashamed of ones disabilities
But that’s the point though. In our (at least western because that’s the ones I’m familiar with) societies it is shameful to have disabilities. And pride is the opposite of shame. It’s resistance against the norm
I get what you’re saying, but the way I look at it is as a protest. A recognition that we’re here, despite society’s best efforts to sweep us under the rug
I get the point you’re trying to make, but as someone with multiple disabilities, both mental and physical, I can’t help but feel an icky taste in my mouth after saying “disability pride”. As if my brain damage, anxiety or cerebral palsy, to mention a few, is something to be proud of, rather than something to work on overcoming, in order to live my best life.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying one should be ashamed of ones disabilities, not acknowledge ones limitations and be comfortable with that, but to have them as an object of pride seems counter productive at best.
Well said, Pissmidget.
Man, reminds me of that old sub on Reddit, what was it? Rimjob Steve, I think?
Shouldn’t it be disability awareness month as opposed to pride.
Agreed, awareness is great.
I think we all could use some time to reflect on how other people experience their day to day, at least I know I benefit from trying to raise my perspective to above my immediate self.
Exactly what I was thinking
I see where you are coming from but I personally like Disability Pride. I have schizo affective disorder, Fibromyalgia and Ehlers Danlos syndrome. My mind and body are a dumpster fire on the best of day’s but I feel pride in my body never giving up and always doing its best despite everything wrong with it. I feel pride for my mind continuing to fight, sometimes for literal survival.
Your disabilities might not be something to feel proud of, but the fact you continue to live and function as much as you can, is.
But that’s the point though. In our (at least western because that’s the ones I’m familiar with) societies it is shameful to have disabilities. And pride is the opposite of shame. It’s resistance against the norm
I get what you’re saying, but the way I look at it is as a protest. A recognition that we’re here, despite society’s best efforts to sweep us under the rug
Maybe less is better: disability month?