“I do not pretend I am not very disabled. I am. But accepting that, and allowing me to say when I cannot do things is also presuming my competence. It is assuming that I have a good understanding of who I am. A friend explains it well here. This understanding allows me to exercise my self-determination, something all adults should have the right to do.
When I type words, and articles, I expose myself to criticism and even hate. Some people in my life have a gut reaction to “protect” and “shield” me. They would prefer that I didn’t say certain things, or that I didn’t read the vile comments. That would be presuming that I will fall apart. Maybe I will but I am glad they don’t make these decisions for me. I grow up as a result of the assumption of my competence.
The healthy increase in self-esteem.
The chance to learn what is age appropriate at any given time.
The responsibility that comes with taking risks.
The opportunity, or need, to take those risks.
The right to fail, or to even refuse to try, when we know we cannot do something.
The right to know who we are and to be trusted on that.
These are some basic things that most people experience naturally but that is not a given when one moves, looks and communicates like I do.
The presumption of competence gives me the rights, risks and opportunities I have been denied just because I am disabled.
Presumption of competence is my rights restored.”
https://ollibean.org/helps/
