I normally don’t like to turn my writing into a negative thing,For the most part I think I’m if fairly calm individual who has a clear head. However there is one thing that everybody keeps saying [yes I know it’s not literally everybody]. when I go out or attend some meetings or do a lecture on disability, at least one person will say the phrase “you’re so inspirational”. I know they’re just trying to be nice,however this is one of the most insulting things you can say to me. let me tell you why.
I don’t think I have accomplished anything worth being inspired by yet. Is the fact that I go grocery shopping like every other person on the planet inspirational? Do you say that to everybody who goes to the grocery store? I think it’s safe to say that you do not. I also get the term brave thrown in my face. The fact that I go for a walk so to speak is not brave. The fact that I am an active member of my community is not brave or inspiring, do you know why? Because everybody on the planet does these things in order to live a normal life! There’s nothing special about it it’s what we do to live. If you wouldn’t call an able-bodied person inspirational for doing the same activity don’t say it to me.
I’ve had also heard several people say to my face that if they were in a wheelchair or had some sort of disability they would end their life. How messed up is that? Being in a wheelchair is certainly not bad enough to make me suicidal. True, sometimes it really sucks because the world is not set up to deal with my needs. I can’t do things that able bodied get to do without much thought. For example, if I want to go to a restaurant I have to call ahead first if I don’t know whether or not they’re accessible I cannot just simply go there. I can’t try on clothes in stores because the change rooms are not equipped for someone like me. However I am very fortunate because I have things that help me deal with my physical limitations such as my electric wheelchair, A computer or even my glasses. My limitations affect my life but I don’t feel that my life is limited by them. I have a roof over my head there’s always food on the table and I grew up middle class and white from where I’m sitting my life is pretty easy.
If I have to pick one thing that is the most limiting it would be that people without disabilities under estimate me. If my disability isn’t limiting why should you be?
Victoria Levack 