Talking of disability justice, what boils my blood in anger and frustration is how much non-disabled folks like to encase disabled people inside prepackaged, little boxes with the wrong assumption that it’s for our comfort and safety.
“This is the kind of job you can have, this is the kind of relationship you can have, this is the kind of house you can have and this is the kind of fun and entertainment you can have.” Don’t you see how it sounds patronising?
Doctors, parents, families, society in general, they all think they know what’s best for us just by looking at us and our condition and through one single interaction. They don’t care that we might have bigger aspirations, life goals, desires for a certain kind of career and relationship.
It’s easier to put us inside standardised boxes. And what’s worse is that they’ll brag that they’ve done something good and selfless.
Why are you complaining if you have the basic necessities? And that’s why there is this idea that a disabled life is not a happy life, that disabled people can’t thrive. We are rarely allowed to thrive and when we do it’s because WE have fought tooth and nail for that right.
I don’t know when I had this realisation but it took me 3 decades to become aware that it’s all wrong. I’m angry at the people who made me waste my time by shrinking my personality and dreams, but especially I’m angry at myself for letting them do it and believing truths that weren’t true.
If I want to go up on a stage to play music, recite my poetry and play in a show, I’ll stomp on it with my platform shoes and cane because I’m tired of being the nice cripple girl who doesn’t want to bother anyone. I’m bothering everybody now.
STOP GATEKEEPING DISABLED PEOPLE’S LIVES.
