Hello everyone! I've gotten a little behind on these posts! I created a video based on comments by disabled people through my social media. So many people contributed to this video! I thank all of you!
We, as people with disabilities, have at least a handful of times in our life had someone say or do something to us that is either disrespectful or just plain invasive.
I, for one, have had several therapists and "sober coaches" who think I'm drunk (and not disabled) just come up to me in public and ask incredibly invasive questions and then hand me a business card. I've also had thousands of dirty/weird/confused/scared silent looks and my favorite is the uninhibited child staring at me completely not caring that I am looking at them look at me. Typical statements are, "What's wrong with you?", "Did you hurt your leg?", "Are you drunk?", and so much more. I've had parents and family of former significant others tell them that they are so nice to date someone like me and not care about my disability.
Here Are Some Of The Comments On My Social Media
"The worst I've ever gotten was "You should be grateful, it's not like anyone would date or have sex with you!" This happened when a guy and some of his friends threatened to rape me in high school."
"The worst was a speech therapist in a restaurant, I was sitting eating, no trouble at all. She approached me without a word, pried open my mouth and shoved a tounge depressor down my throat."
"When I was pregnant with my son, my obgyn asked me if I had consented to sex and warned me that after 12 weeks abortions cost more. He did not like the fact that I was disabled, fat and pregnant."
"I don't like when people just stare at my legs before they stare at me like my face is up here."
"Are you able to live independently? While sitting in my flat."
"Are you people allowed out? Can you bathe, have sex brush your teeth..?"
"When people automatically think you can't do something or are stupid so they talk extra loud and slow. My biggest is when I'm with someone and they ask the person if they can talk to me."
We, as people with disabilities, have at least a handful of times in our life had someone say or do something to us that is either disrespectful or just plain invasive.
I, for one, have had several therapists and "sober coaches" who think I'm drunk (and not disabled) just come up to me in public and ask incredibly invasive questions and then hand me a business card. I've also had thousands of dirty/weird/confused/scared silent looks and my favorite is the uninhibited child staring at me completely not caring that I am looking at them look at me. Typical statements are, "What's wrong with you?", "Did you hurt your leg?", "Are you drunk?", and so much more. I've had parents and family of former significant others tell them that they are so nice to date someone like me and not care about my disability.
Here Are Some Of The Comments On My Social Media
"The worst I've ever gotten was "You should be grateful, it's not like anyone would date or have sex with you!" This happened when a guy and some of his friends threatened to rape me in high school."
"The worst was a speech therapist in a restaurant, I was sitting eating, no trouble at all. She approached me without a word, pried open my mouth and shoved a tounge depressor down my throat."
"When I was pregnant with my son, my obgyn asked me if I had consented to sex and warned me that after 12 weeks abortions cost more. He did not like the fact that I was disabled, fat and pregnant."
"I don't like when people just stare at my legs before they stare at me like my face is up here."
"Are you able to live independently? While sitting in my flat."
"Are you people allowed out? Can you bathe, have sex brush your teeth..?"
"When people automatically think you can't do something or are stupid so they talk extra loud and slow. My biggest is when I'm with someone and they ask the person if they can talk to me."
And the list goes on and on. It's quite surprising and shocking for some abled bodied people to think these are real quotes. I think a lot of people don't realize how invasive and rude their questions or comments are.
My Advice For Abled Bodied People
Below is the video that goes along with this post.
My Advice For Abled Bodied People
- If you wouldn't like someone asking it, why do you expect us to want to respond?
- We are people too. People who have different severities of disabilities.
- Not every PHYSICALLY disabled person is MENTALLY disabled.
- If you wouldn't want someone doing it to you, don't do or say it to us.
- Don't be afraid of us. Just because we are different, doesn't mean we are scary, or contagious for that matter.
Below is the video that goes along with this post.