Would it be ableist or otherwise insensitive for me to buy a cane despite not being physically disabled?
Im neurodivergent and because of that, I have poor posture, and because of my posture, I've developed some back problems that make standing and walking around for long periods of time difficult to accomplish without some sort of assistance.
Ive looked into it and i think buying a cane would help, but i don't want it to seem like im faking a disability or taking up resources i don't need
Poor posture that causes back problems that prevent you from standing and walking without assistance is, um, physically disabled, dear anon.
Even if it wasn't, canes are literally 5-25$ at the store depending on exact brand and type, they're mass produced, and they're a common enough accessory that truly I think you're thinking way too hard about it.
If you think you'll walk better with a cane, buy a cane.
Guys really. So much this. If you see a disability aid that you think would help you: buy it and use it.
You ARE the target audience.
YOU'RE the person it was designed to help.
These things were created to make life easier for people whose bodies experience pain or difficulty doing very normal things (or even doing nothing at all!). If that sounds like you then it was made for you!
This isn't something to gatekeep. Gatekeeping stuff like this actually makes accessibility harder for everyone. If anyone tells you that you "don't have it bad enough" to use a disability aid then they likely don't have your best interests at heart (this is ignoring prescription items).
Showing companies that these things will be purchased will only cause more to be produced and therefore easier access overall. Also if more people used disability aids it would become less stigmatized because more people would SEE people utilizing these aids and it wouldn't be so odd.
Make sure you're using the aid appropriately so it doesn't cause issues, but please, if you see something like a cane or a wheelchair or a walker or pencil grips or the grabby claw stick or something that helps you put your socks on without bending over and you think it would decrease your pain or keep you from being so exhausted that you can't make dinner later even though you're starving or whatever, please, buy it. Use it.
You're exactly the person who needs it.
Because it was made to help you.
And if it helps you, then it's for you.
