I'm going to finish my degree out of spite
Not because I enjoy my dissertation topic (I really don’t) Not because I enjoy my subject (I do) Not to please my supervisor Not to please my family But because I was lied to. It wasn’t “fun”. It has been four years of tears, stress, and more work than was healthy for me. It sucked the life out of learning, something I enjoyed.
Accessibility and equal opportunity is a lie. “You can ask for extensions at any time without reason” surprisingly, when I did, I was asked for a reason. Declining mental health was not enough. “Alternative assignments will be provided where appropriate” It’s never appropriate - there won’t be alternatives.
I will finish it out of bitterness, out of spite. Because disabled people are worthy, we’re worth something - but our academic performance does not determine our value. Because we are not accommodated. Because we’re disadvantaged, fighting to be treated equally. Because I didn’t get the support I needed when I needed it. Because I spent four years of my life working. Because of my ruined sleep pattern.
I will do it to fucking prove that I can do it, to every person that says we can and to every person that says we can’t.
