Secondly, I’m not going to blow sunshine up your ass and say that having a disability is some special gift that’s precious to me. Having a disability is just crappy 70% of the time. But not for the reasons you’d think, so let me give you some examples...
- In BC, if a disabled person wants medical coverage, which includes coverage for some medical equipment, we have to become a registered Persons with Disabilities. But when you do that, you automatically are signed up to receive disability income assistance, which is a laughable amount of money that’s deposited into our accounts every month and we’re told to survive off it. For 99% of the population this amount is not enough to live a life, so you are graciously allowed to get a job. Yeah, good luck with that! But here’s the catch... You’re only allowed to make a minuscule amount every month, the government is up your ass making you report every penny you make, and if you go over a certain amount then you get cut off everything, including medical benefits. The amount you’re allowed to make is literally just enough that you could probably get a part time job at minimum wage. So if you don’t want to basically live in a financial black hole, the only option is to not be a PWD. But then you better have the best job in the world to make enough money to cover medical, the medical equipment you need, caregivers if required, etc. In summary, it’s a never ending cycle where essentially the government keeps disabled people well below the poverty line, and no one gives a crap about it.
- Medical equipment, the essential stuff like wheelchairs, is NOT fully covered by the government if you’re over 18. If you’re under 18 the government gives out approvals like they’re candy. If you’re over 18, I guess you’re an adult and you should be able to figure out how to scrape up enough money for a wheelchair. You want to know how much a power wheelchair costs? Anywhere from 20 to 50 thousand dollars!! That’s right, and they get replaced every five years. The government only covers HALF the cost. So on my 32 thousand dollar wheelchair, they paid about 14 thousand, and left me to come up with the rest. Joy.
- Despite the fact that disability is one of the largest minority groups in society, and that number is growing, society still thinks it’s ok to treat disabled people like second class citizens. I’m talking, “oh yes, our restaurant is accessible, but you have to go to the back door and go through the kitchen”. “Do disabled people really need accessible washrooms? They don’t go out in public anyways! Why should we make this event inclusive and accessible? It’s not like people with disabilities can live a normal life anyways!” Yeah... that’s great...
- People think that because I’m disabled I obviously don’t have the ability to get offended, therefore they can say whatever they want to me. You would not believe some of the things complete strangers say to me! On any given day, if I manage to get out in public because apparently that’s an accomplishment, I’ll hear things like “What’s wrong with you? Why do you look so weird? What happened to you? Do you even have legs? Are you able to be cured?” Because apparently I have to tell every stranger I meet my whole PRIVATE and very personal medical history. Oh and did you know, there’s something wrong with me? Hence why it needs to be pointed out daily.
- You constantly get judged by the way you look, which often dictates whether you make friends, get invited to things, get asked out on dates, etc. Having body positivity or feeling sexy as a disabled woman is extremely difficult. Between knowing that people do indeed think there’s something wrong with you, and constantly seeing examples of why a normal body is just better, it’s hard to feel confident and comfortable in our own skin. This gets perpetuated even further by society fuelling the lie that sex is everything in life. If you’re not having sex, if you can’t meet the standards of being sexy, if you’re not viewed as a sex symbol, then forget trying to fit in socially and don’t even try to have a relationship. People don’t equate disability with a healthy sex life. People don’t equate disability with being beautiful and sexy. No matter how much confidence I try to give out in society, which trust me isn’t easy when you have a body like mine, sometimes it doesn’t matter because literally all people will see is the disability. I legitimately had someone say to me once, “You know, you’re actually pretty good looking for a disabled person.” Wow! You mean disabled people can be attractive!? Call Einstein because I bet he didn’t see that coming!
- People with disabilities live in a world where everything, and I mean everything, is geared towards “normal people”. Events, social gatherings, sports, hobbies, employment, recreation, clothing, buildings and businesses, and especially advertising. Have you ever seen an advertisement, something that’s not already disability related, let’s say like a Covergirl advertisement, that features a person with a disability? What about something sports related? What about something adventurous? No!? Yeah neither have I.... Because disability is considered weak, people with disabilities are thought to not be capable of living a full life, society just hides us away. That’s where we belong right? Wrong! The only way the perception of disability will change is if it is boldly brought to the light. We are human just like everyone else. We deserve equal opportunities. Why? Because if the average able bodied person has those opportunities, why shouldn’t we?
- Our rights are constantly infringed upon or completely taken away, not only by government but by society as well. Oh you’re disabled? You don’t need privacy or personal space! Disability you say? I guess that means you can’t speak for yourself, here let us tell you what you need. Well since you’re disabled you don’t need to do things like go out in public, have a relationship, go to school, get a job, participate in events and sports and well.... Life! Our rights are constantly trampled on by society. But do you see that all over the news? No! Do you see massive groups of people supporting and rallying for change? No! Does anyone even care? Probably not. So while everyone is fighting for every other cause on the planet, excuse me while I try to go find an accessible washroom....
