An ass out of you and umption.

[mrissa]

Not everybody who has a mobility disability uses a wheelchair.

Not everybody who has a hearing disability uses ASL.

Not everybody who has a vision disability is completely without sight.

Not everybody who has a disability has it permanently.

Not everybody who has a disability knows how permanent it is going to be.

Not everybody who has a disability has it to the same extent every single hour of every single day.

Not everybody who has a disability is able to keep doing everything through it.

Not everybody who has a disability finds they can't do what they wanted to do because of it.

Not everybody who has a disability is visible to the casual observer as disabled.

Not everybody who has a disability can accept the kind of help that will make you feel good and not cause you any trouble.

Not everybody who has a disability is impaired in their ability to assess their own needs and communicate them to you. Ask. Listen to the answers.

Comments

[dd-b.livejournal.com]

And not everybody with a disability always has a club or a gun handy, so the mere fact that they haven't shot you or beaten you to a pulp does NOT mean that you did okay. Some of them are probably such nice people that they wouldn't go that far even if they DID have the tools handy and there was no other impediment to doing so.

[mamapduck.livejournal.com]

This got a laugh from the friend who needed one, so thank you. Also, they might be busy crawling up a staircase to get to their classroom because the elevator broke. Hard to crawl and aim at the same time. I won't bet against her though- she's feisty.

[cakmpls.livejournal.com]

Well said!

[aedifica]

And not everybody who doesn't have a disability will stay that way.

[kightp.livejournal.com]

Beat me to it.

[mamapduck.livejournal.com]

Can I copy this and repost? I know someone whose world has been frustrating lately and could use it.

[mrissa.livejournal.com]

Linking is fine. Since you have asked, copying and reposting with attribution is also fine. (I phrase it that way in case casual passersby want to know: I am giving permission in this specific case rather than blanket permission, so anyone else should please ask.)

[mamapduck.livejournal.com]

I may recommend you overall to my friend as good reading. She's another very bright woman struggling to balance a physical disability with the desire to do *everything*. (All at once! With one hand tied behind her back! While whistling "Dixie!") She's an amateur writer (a good one) and a teacher professionally. She's kinda bad ass and you remind me of her.

[mrissa.livejournal.com]

Not I! I am entirely good ass!

And, I mean, everything needs doing, is the problem.

[selkie-b.livejournal.com]

Here! Here!

[thoughtdancer.livejournal.com]

Not everyone who has a disability is incapable of excelling in the areas disabled. (I have a learning disability. I have a PhD in *exactly* the area disabled. Just because something is a greater challenge does *not* mean that the challenge can't be met.)

[dichroic.livejournal.com]

I still kind of like the term "handicapped" for that reason - you can have a handicap and still win a race.

Though I realize the term has so much bad baggage that whether it fits literally can be irrelevant to whether people are OK with it.

[miz-hatbox.livejournal.com]

Bravo.

Also, someone also needs to tell this to the government. "Sorry, you don't qualify for disability because you will probably be better in about a year or two" is serious policy fail.

[fidelioscabinet.livejournal.com]

Write your congressional representative and your senator.

Seriously. The only way that can change is if the law itself changes.

[redbird]

Indeed, and well said.

[icedrake.livejournal.com]

I support this and would like to subscribe to your newsletter.

[themagdalen.livejournal.com]

Yes, this.

Thank you...

[bishopjoey.livejournal.com]

This is *very* well put. And a sentiment that bears massive linking.

[iraunink.livejournal.com]

Amen sister. Especially "Not everybody who have a disablity is visible to the casual observer as disabled. When I'm having memory issues, is when I'm least likely to get out of the house.

[moiread]

Yeah, this. Nobody sees me at my worst. That doesn't mean it never gets really, really damn bad. Frequently, even.

[mrissa.livejournal.com]

Yes, so, "She's not here, but she looked fine yesterday," should make people think, "Either today is worse than yesterday or I didn't see everything that was going on with her yesterday," rather than, "She is a lying liar who lies and is really secretly fine."

[careswen.livejournal.com]

I'm having this problem at work. Just because I looked fine yesterday doesn't mean today's migraine isn't really an evil, disabling thing.

[moiread]

Auntie Mris Is Right.

[haddayr.livejournal.com]

hear, hear!