Disability... PRIDE?!
3 reasons disabled people should feel proud!!!
Disability... PRIDE?!
Proud of what? Constant pain? Ridicule? Being dismissed?
That's how I felt before I met others who called themselves 'disabled'. Their stories encouraged me: I don’t have to be ‘proud’ of my agony. I can be proud to belong in the disabled community. I can be proud of the ripple effect I have just by existing. I can be proud of raising awareness for my rare conditions.
Disabled. This label that took me so long to use. What more defiant expression against stigma and stereotypes than using the words ‘pride’ and ‘disability’ next to each other? That, that’s something I am proud to be a part of. Happy Disability Pride Month! Tell me, what are you proud of? Here are some ideas to get you started 🤗
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I’m so glad you said this. It does feel weird to put those words next to each other sometimes. But I am proud! I’m proud of my body’s strength in continuing to live and work in a world not designed for it, a world that causes it pain. But my legs still take me places, even if they are slow and hurting. My hand still makes art even when it’s a little spastic! 💜
I just wrote a super long comment about disability pride being a protest as much as a celebration (in a similar way to LGBTQI+ pride), but it seems it didn't post, and honestly I don't have the energy to rewrite it, which sucks (even if it was a little long-winded).
Basically I'm proud of surviving in a world that sees me as disposable. I'm proud to be part of an incredible community. And the term 'disabled' should be neutral - it's just a descriptor, but the negative connotations comes from society, and our internal ableism.