Where does this feeling of inadequacy come from? Why do we need to try to prove ourselves and our worth to others? These two questions are things I have struggled with greatly as of late.
I find myself wondering why is that no one in my family reads my writing. Do they not care, or do I genuinely lack talent in writing? I am not the most prolific writer, but I write with an open heart and mind. I hope those closest to me take an interest in my work. But they do not. Are they too caught up in their world, or is it because they view me as inadequate?
Disabled is a word that strikes hearts to make them birth forth an ableist tone. I keep hearing from people it isn’t the right time to talk about ableism; there is too much going on in the world. There will never be a right time if we keep not talking about it and sweeping disabled lives under the rug. Something that has continued to happen through the decades because of this collective perspective of ableism ingrained into society. The idea of looking down on people with disabilities is nothing new, but because some of the disabled are unable to articulate works to speak out does not mean the abuse and ableist discrimination aren’t happening to them.
Ableist language is all throughout society people using “triggered” to express their emotions when not living with triggers is the appropriation of CPTSD/PTSD. Calling someone bipolar, psycho, or schizophrenic because of their actions appropriates mental illness and ableist. This need to label people for expression is regressive, not progressive, and isolates people living with mental health conditions.
When will films include disabled people with actual conditions? When will films be written by disabled people from our perspective? Why is it that disabled appropriate actions are, ok? It is not ok; disabled stories should be told from a disabled perspective because we view illness and disabilities from a less ableist lens, and we see them for what they are. I am sick of seeing a disabled life represented in games, comics, literature, films, and any form of media as a negative existence.
I am calling you out, society; you are ableist. Check yourself and update your perspective. I am disabled, I have a chronic illness, I live with mental health issues, and I am still able to write this blog; I am making a documentary, and I will not quit or be quiet to make an ableist comfortable. I will make you uncomfortable because only in that discomfort can change happen.
Life In The Bubble 