It makes me so sad that so many #disabled people take on society's view of them as deficient, shameful, and deprived. We internalize and individualize systemic #ableism and then blame ourselves for our misery.
It just shows how badly a #DisabilityPrideMonth is needed...
I'm sad for my younger self because I grew up thinking the same way. And indeed even my current self: I'm not totally free of internalized ableism, probably never will be. But at least now I have a better chance of spotting it.
The other thing I wanted to say for #DisabilityPrideMonth is to the people who aren't sure whether they can or should call themselves disabled.
I'd like to say: welcome.
(If you want.)
Disability can be defined as a condition that significantly impacts your life. It can be defined as where society disables you.
It's not just for mobility or sensory impairments. It's not just for physical pain. It's for invisible conditions, variable conditions, mental illnesses, energy-limiting conditions...
I think, like with queerness/transness, people get nervous that they're somehow "appropriating" disability. That they're "taking the label away" from people who "really need it" or "need it more."
Welcome! This is a very common disabled experience!
But you aren't taking anything away from the "real" disabled people by counting yourself among us. A lot of us are disabled by narrow societal expectations.
I hope you can find solidarity and community among us. Those things do us all good.
Moon joy
Liam