I haven't been good about discussing my disability on my blog, not because I don't want to but because I don't know what to say.
I don't want to write some sob story about how having a disability sucks and how I wish my life were different sometimes because that's not necessarily true. I also don't want to write about how everything is excellent having a disability, and nothing has ever gone wrong or made me feel like I am not enough because that is not true either.
There are just some things in life that I would consider nowhere near a good thing and not necessarily A Bad Thing.
Having a disability is one of those things.
Some of the positives of having a disability - shorter lines at Disneyland, having a handicap sign, so I don't have to walk as far, being able to use my wheelchair for long distances, sometimes getting discounted tickets or passes, making friends with people that push me in my wheelchair, being part of Best Buddies International, and being able to make a difference.
It's already hard enough in the world today for a non-disabled person to find a job, let alone someone with a disability. Mainly the job opportunities for those with physical disabilities, not being able to lift lots of weight, not standing up or reaching high shelves, Guest Services counters being too high to get things in a wheelchair, etc.
I'm not saying those with mental disabilities don't struggle to find jobs, but I am saying that it makes a big difference when you can at least stand, lift a bunch of weight, etc.
There are also many automatic assumptions people have about those with disabilities, I can't say I blame them, but it can be rather frustrating. Every time I have gone in for an interview somewhere, as soon as they see I'm in a wheelchair, they automatically start to act weird and treat me differently.
I don't think it's necessarily intentional. Still, it's the automatic assumption that I won't be able to do the job at hand just because of being in a chair, instead of somewhere that talk to me and asked me what I can and can't do and be willing to make adjustments to make it work.
I also have experienced feeling like people assume I'm younger than I am or that I'm a kid because of my disability. I know many people believe that those with disabilities need to be talked to differently. For example, being called buddy, hun, sweetie, boss.
There's no need to call those with a disability a nickname; we are just people and, it is okay to use our names and talk to us like usual. If you are unsure what we need or speak to us, treat us ask us! I would be happy to tell you what I need and don't need from you.
There are many amazing things about having a disability, but I did not want to come on here and make it sound like having a disability is the greatest thing in the world because it's not! I also did not want to make it sound like it is the worst thing in the world and that everything sucks because that's not true either.
I hope this post gives you a better inside look at what those with disabilities deal with and why I would not consider it a good thing, but why it is also not a bad thing.