#topic: ableism

[sunflowermp4]

"I have been denied disability parking, educational accommodations, and fair housing. I have been reprimanded by police for parking in my disabled space. I have been ordered to ask permission before bringing my wheelchair to my workplace, as if it is optional. I have been yelled at for requesting accommodations that were signed into law thirty years ago. I have been mocked and cussed out by suspicious strangers accusing me of faking. I have been advised that putting in a (temporary!) ramp at a church isn't "stewarding" tithe money well.

Disabled people are asked to graciously accept the altruism of the community instead of expecting inclusion as part of being fellow humans. It is not benevolent or remarkable to meet someone's federally mandated accommodations. Churches are excluded from this mandate only because many of them fought to keep disabled people out."

My Body Is Not a Prayer Request: Disability Justice in the Church, Amy Kenny

[stargays-sg]

Mmm hot take but Riordan stans rlly need to get it through their heads that just having representation doesn’t make it good

[sunflowermp4]

"People think that they are doing something extra, something honorable, something praiseworthy when they treat us as human beings. Ask yourself, would you expect your non-disabled friend to be grateful to be included at church? Or for providing a place for them to pee? Demanding gratitude from disabled people for being included feels like pity. It suggests that disability accommodations are met out of benevolence instead of out of basic civil rights. It sells people the lie that including disabled people is an honorable act of benevolence instead of a faithful act of loving your neighbor. Ableism keeps us grateful."

My Body Is Not a Prayer Request: Disability Justice in the Church, Amy Kenny

[stargays-sg]

Gods, crime shows are HORRID but I love them so much

[editblr-confessions]

a popular editor has said that that they won't put a PT for their posts and I've hated them since

this is just ableism (at the editor)

[sunflowermp4]

"These disabled characters become empty receptacles on which nondisabled writers project their pity, as though disabled people are objects of suffering instead of subjects with unique personalities and spiritual gifts. Disability must always serve a loftier "purpose" that drives narrative closure instead of simply existing as part of bodily diversity. Most narratives teach us that disabled characters demand narrative termination. Cure them—or kill them off."

My Body Is Not a Prayer Request: Disability Justice in the Church, Amy Kenny

[sunflowermp4]

"But what about the fakers? They are stealing from the real disabled people!" self-proclaimed disability allies whine whenever I raise these concerns. "I's not right that you were questioned, but we have to be vigilant to make sure others don't take advantage of the system."

What system? There is no financial or social gain to being disabled, regardless of what TV shows tell you. Roughly 70 percent of disabled people are unemployed, and the majority of those of us who are employed make less than those who aren't disabled? The current system prevents people filing for disability from getting married or owning more than $2,000 in assets, forcing many of us into poverty. Around 60-80 percent of polling places in the US are still inaccessible, even though the law guaranteed us the right to access them over thirty years ago." It is still legal in twenty states to remove children from parental custody simply because a parent is disabled. We do not have the right to parent our own children. We do not have pay parity. We do not have the right to work or vote or enter the public sphere. Why would anyone fake disability? What would they gain?"

My Body Is Not a Prayer Request: Disability Justice in the Church, Amy Kenny

[sunflowermp4]

""I'll prove them wrong," I steadied myself, revenge music blaring in the background. Every snide remark about disability only added fuel to the fire of my determination. I believed I could change my educators' minds because I had right on my side. I thought that if I was smart enough, hardworking enough, and achieved enough, I could make them value disabled people. I thought that I could perfectionist my way out of disability discrimination."

My Body Is Not a Prayer Request: Disability Justice in the Church, Amy Kenny