(The lovely Ely @ Tea and Titles came up with the idea of Disability Diaries - a week long event running from 14th-21st Jan 2017, discussing disability, books, and disability in books.
Ely, myself, Angel @ Angel Reads, Dina @ Dinasoaur, Jolien @ The Fictional Reader, and Lara @ Another Teen Reader are running it.)
Ely, myself, Angel @ Angel Reads, Dina @ Dinasoaur, Jolien @ The Fictional Reader, and Lara @ Another Teen Reader are running it.)
And I think there's a heffalump* in the room that needs addressing: too often, disabled people are made to feel stigma and shame. And f**k that!
*I say heffalump instead of elephant. You can blame the combined forces of my mother and Winnie-the-Pooh.
It's difficult as all hell to even explain to people that you have an illness, disability, or other health condition. AND IT SHOULDN'T BE.
So, with no shame on my part, here are my (current) disabilities and health conditions:
- depression and anxiety
- skin allergies/contact dermatitis
- suspected dyscalculia
- episodic migraines with constant associated photosensitivity
- slight physical birth defect
No shame. No stigma. Health conditions are a part of life.
I hope you can join us on Twitter and on our blogs throughout this week - it's gonna be awesome!
Like this post? Try these:
I hope you can join us on Twitter and on our blogs throughout this week - it's gonna be awesome!
Like this post? Try these:
- #DisabilityDiaries2017 | Harry Potter and the Representation of Scarring
- Nerd Church - Well, That Was Unpleasant
- Friday Fics Fix - Let's Do This
YES. YES. YES. YES. YESSSSSSSS.
ReplyDelete*clears throat* Yes, I whole-heartedly agree.
Hm, I'm not sure whether you support me or not here Ely, you're sending out mixed messages XD LOL.
DeleteIt seriously was a lot harder to write this post than it should've been - I nearly deleted some of my health problems, for Chrissakes! And I can only put that down to the way attitudes make us feel ashamed for things that there should be no shame for - like we're making too much fuss out of nothing. And f**k that.
Totally agree that it is so important to not be afraid to share your health conditions with the world! Be proud of them, they make you who you are!
ReplyDelete100% agree!
DeleteI too felt the shame when writing the introductory post for Disability Diaries. In fact, I feel it very often, but, you're right. We need to share our stories rather than hide them.
ReplyDelete*cwtches Dina* :)
DeleteI agree! There should be no shame and no stigma. A lot of people are worried about shaming me when they ask why my little sister is in a wheelchair. Little do they know I feel 0% shame, 100% proud of her all the time.
ReplyDeleteAs you should be :)
Delete