Things People With Disabilities Wish You Knew

Summary

The video explores the lived experiences of individuals with disabilities, challenging common misconceptions and stereotypes. It emphasizes the importance of embracing and celebrating disability rather than tolerating it, promoting acceptance, curiosity, and respect. The speakers share personal stories about their disabilities, including cerebral palsy, Tourette's syndrome, lupus, and amputations, and highlight the significance of community, appropriate support, and respectful interactions. They stress that disability should be seen as a part of who they are, not something that defines their worth or limits their potential.

Takeaways

• 😀 Disability is not a sign of being less than or broken; it is simply a part of someone's identity.
• 😀 People with disabilities, like those with Cerebral Palsy or Tourette Syndrome, embrace their conditions and see them as part of who they are.
• 😀 Parents should encourage curiosity about disabilities in children, rather than quickly pulling them away or shushing them, as this can create feelings of shame.
• 😀 It’s important to normalize and celebrate disability, rather than viewing it as something to be ashamed of or avoided.
• 😀 People with disabilities are just like everyone else – they date and engage in relationships, sometimes even with non-disabled people.
• 😀 Not every person with a disability uses a wheelchair, and it’s important to avoid making assumptions about someone's condition based on appearance.
• 😀 The term 'inspiration' should not be casually applied to people with disabilities; it should be earned through meaningful actions.
• 😀 People with disabilities often experience unwanted, inappropriate help from strangers. A simple 'Do you need help?' is more respectful than physical assistance without asking.
• 😀 People with disabilities should be recognized first as individuals, with their disabilities as secondary traits, rather than being defined by their disability.
• 😀 The term 'differently-abled' is often used with good intentions but can sometimes diminish the reality of disability. It’s better to use the term 'disability' as a straightforward descriptor.
• 😀 Embracing and building communities with people with disabilities involves more than just tolerance; it’s about creating inclusive, welcoming spaces.

Q & A

What message does the speaker convey about how people view disability?

The speaker highlights that some people see disability as something negative, saying 'thank God that's not me,' which implies that people with disabilities are somehow less than or incomplete. The speaker aims to challenge this mindset and encourage a more positive view of disability.

How does the speaker feel about their own disabilities?

The speaker embraces their disabilities, stating that they love having Tourette's, being short, and even their obsessive-compulsive disorder. They have accepted their disabilities as a part of who they are and celebrate them.

What does the speaker say about how parents should react when children stare at people with disabilities?

The speaker suggests that instead of shushing children or pulling them away when they stare at someone with a disability, parents should embrace the curiosity and allow children to ask questions. This approach helps normalize and celebrate disability.

What is the speaker's view on the term 'inspiration' when applied to people with disabilities?

The speaker finds the label 'inspiration' problematic when it's used automatically upon meeting someone with a disability. They argue that being disabled doesn't inherently make someone inspirational or brave, and that such labels should be earned, not assigned based solely on disability.

Why does the speaker object to unsolicited help from strangers?

The speaker finds unsolicited help, such as being grabbed by the arm or waist, to be inappropriate. They advocate for asking if help is needed rather than assuming and physically assisting someone without consent.

What does the speaker mean by 'I am a person first, disability is secondary'?

The speaker emphasizes that they identify as a person first, and that disability is just one aspect of who they are. They prefer to be recognized as an individual rather than being defined solely by their disability.

What is the speaker's stance on the term 'differently abled'?

The speaker explains that they initially used the term 'differently abled' but later realized it was an able-bodied term. They advocate for using the word 'disability' because it is a more accurate descriptor and reflects ownership and control over their identity.

How does the speaker feel about being 'tolerated' by others?

The speaker rejects the idea of simply being 'tolerated,' emphasizing that tolerance is not enough. They advocate for a deeper level of inclusion, where people with disabilities are embraced and included in the community, not just tolerated.

What does the speaker mean by 'we date, people with disabilities date!'?

The speaker points out that people with disabilities, just like anyone else, engage in dating and relationships. They stress that having a disability does not limit their potential to form relationships with both people with and without disabilities.

What does the speaker say about how society should view disability?

The speaker encourages society to celebrate disability, not just normalize it. They suggest that everyone moves, walks, and talks differently, and disability should be embraced as part of that diversity rather than seen as something to avoid or fear.