Abstract
As a disabled person, there are days I don't want to leave the house.
I wish I could say I don't care what society thinks or assumes about me and my body. But the truth is, when my body is judged, ostracised, othered — I do care. Some days I have to really push myself.
It could be a question from a stranger: "What happened?" Taken aback by my body.
Or the daily comments.
"You're such a special girl."
"If I were you I don't think I'd want to live."
Or, "I don't see your disability."
People think it's helpful to ask why I don't get plastic surgery, "to fix your face".
As if surgery would fix the issue of not belonging.
I wish I could say I don't care what society thinks or assumes about me and my body. But the truth is, when my body is judged, ostracised, othered — I do care. Some days I have to really push myself.
It could be a question from a stranger: "What happened?" Taken aback by my body.
Or the daily comments.
"You're such a special girl."
"If I were you I don't think I'd want to live."
Or, "I don't see your disability."
People think it's helpful to ask why I don't get plastic surgery, "to fix your face".
As if surgery would fix the issue of not belonging.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Number of pages | 6 |
| Specialist publication | ABC Opinion |
| Publisher | ABC Website |
| Publication status | Published - 11 Aug 2020 |
Keywords
- Ableism
- Disability
- Disability awareness
- Disability discrimination
- chronic illness
- neurodiversity
- discrimination on the grounds of disability
- Australian Human Rights Commission
- neurodivergent
