Im forever proud to declare my seat, to unapologetically take up space and to be included. Were seeing this pattern of disabled people recovering what it means to have a special needs. We do not generally see the words pride and special needs together, however for disabled people like me, the two words go hand in hand. “Disability pride” is a statement as much as it is an event, where the impairment community is shouting, “Yes, handicapped people desire to be seen and heard. And think what? Were not going anywhere!”
My special needs pride has taught me to be more vocal. While Disability Pride Month might be about the disability community, its likewise important to have support from able-bodied people.
A big part of special needs pride centers around identity. I understand things like “I dont see your disability or wheelchair” are implied as compliments, however those words are really quite painful. Its, again, seeing disability through the ableist lens of disability is bad and able-bodied is excellent.
My hope is that one day, we will not need any whole month to remind individuals that its okay to celebrate specials needs and that society will celebrate us due to the fact that they see our fundamental worth and self-respect just like we do. See my impairment.
Special Needs Pride Month is a time to celebrate individuals with disabilities. Its also a time to call for modifications towards a more inclusive, available world. The very first Disability Pride Day was held in 1990, coincidentally, the exact same year as the passage of the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA); the pivotal legislation was the greatest special needs rights win of our generation and it “prohibits discrimination and assurances that people with impairments have the same chances as everybody else to get involved in the mainstream of American life– to enjoy work chances, to buy services and products and to take part in State and regional government programs and services.”
Maybe thats why this year, as we celebrate the 30th anniversary of the ADA, this concept of special needs pride feels all the more poignant and crucial. While I may have reached a location of pride now, I didnt always feel in this manner.
I was born with Freeman-Sheldon syndrome, a hereditary bone and muscular condition that primarily impacts the face, feet and hands. Ive had around 25 surgeries to align my legs, as well as remedying my scoliosis. I spent most of my developmental years in and out of the hospital. Sometimes, what was harder than all those surgeries was feeling so various from everybody else. I grew up never seeing anyone that appeared like me– not on TV, not in movies, not in books or perhaps publications. At a time when all I desired to do was fit in, it was tough to stick out a lot.
Individuals are stunned when I say Im proud to be handicapped because we still reside in a society where pride and disability dont belong in the very same sentence. Disabilities are seen as outrageous. They are taken a look at as something bad. Individuals ought to feel sorry for us. Who would wish to be disabled? Thats a question Ive heard far too typically from too lots of individuals. Ive had people inform me that a special needs and wheelchair is nothing to be proud of, its absolutely nothing to commemorate and that its something I ought to be ashamed of.
Naturally, peoples cruel words are only parroting the messages society sends about specials needs. We live in a culture that deals with impairment as something negative or bad. From a young age, disabled people are taught to be ashamed of something thats a substantial part of their identity. I felt ashamed of my handicapped body for several years; I wasnt comfortable in my own skin and, interestingly, ending up being an author that assisted me alter my perspective. The more I discussed specials needs and about my life, the more I felt a cleansing of sorts. If the act of writing was actually rewording the voice in my head that had played on a loop for so long, it was as. The voice that told me I was ugly. The voice that told me I was unlovable and not worthy. The voice that informed me my disability was outrageous. It was as if I was shedding my old skin, making method for self-love and self-acceptance after a lot of years of embarassment and hatred.
I cant feel however help like 2020 is a numeration of sorts when it comes to disabilities– a moving of the needle toward addition, availability, approval and opportunity. Those are the things disability activists have been battling for years to accomplish. Since where the ADA is about actual gain access to, Disability Pride Month is all about visibility and representation.
Heres something you must learn about me: Im happy to be disabled.
I can visualize a few of you looking really perplexed right now. Admitting this fact about myself is something I may have said in a hushed tone just a couple of years ago. Why? By all accounts, Im not supposed to be “happy” of my special needs. Not according to society, a minimum of. Then once again, Ive never provided much idea to societal conventions. The good news is, Im not alone.
July is Disability Pride Month, which is triggering so many much-needed conversations about dealing with an impairment and what it implies to celebrate that. People with disabilities make up the biggest minority group in the United States, with 61 million grownups dealing with an impairment, according to the CDC– thats one and 4 people.
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Special Needs Pride Month is a time to commemorate individuals with impairments. The first Disability Pride Day was held in 1990, coincidentally, the very same year as the passage of the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA); the pivotal legislation was the most significant disability rights win of our generation and it “restricts discrimination and warranties that people with disabilities have the same opportunities as everybody else to take part in the mainstream of American life– to delight in employment opportunities, to buy goods and services and to get involved in State and local federal government programs and services.”
“Disability pride” is a declaration as much as it is a celebration, where the special needs neighborhood is screaming, “Yes, handicapped individuals desire to be seen and heard. While Disability Pride Month may be about the disability community, its likewise crucial to have support from able-bodied people.
Its, once again, viewing special needs through the ableist lens of disability is bad and able-bodied is good.
