Sally's Blog Against Disablism 1st May 2006

Disabled by my medical conditions,

or

Dis-Abled by society's attitudes and the built environment.

Hold those two opposites in mind while you consider the statements in this Blog.

Much of what follows is familiar territory for people with disabilities and this is my attempt to add to the awareness of those who are not.

ALWAYS REMEMBERING - IT COULD HAPPEN TO ANYONE

1 in 7

Disabled - OR - Dis-Abled

My Wheelchair gets in the way of other people at the

Shops

Theatre

Cinema

Concert Hall

Bank

Hospital waiting room

Doctors' Surgery

Do I apologise for my wheelchair

Or should the built environment provide ample space for

wheelchair access, manoeuvring, stopping and parking.

I need to use the toilet just the same as non-disabled people,

but using a wheelchair means I cannot go the village hall for

craft fairs, pantomimes, art exhibitions, theatre groups, parish meetings,

weddings, wakes and parties.

Should I give up on joining in village events

Or should the Village Hall committee provide a wheelchair

accessible toilet(and a wheelchair accessible fire escape, just in case)

In the summer I cannot go for 'Walks'

in the countryside, because of stiles rather than gates

at the beach, due to lack of boarded walk-ways

by the river in the village because it is a narrow overgrown rutted path

I can't do these things because I use a wheelchair

Funding should be made available for my right of access

under the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 where the

designation 'on foot only' also applies to Class 1,2,3 wheelchairs.

I cannot make my garden colourful and productive

Because I use a wheelchair and the ground is too soft

the incline too steep

the grass is too high

and the soil is too low

Because there are no grants for wheelchair

access in my garden, for paths, ramps, raised beds,

and no -one has yet invented a grass mower to attach to my wheelchair

My neighbour told me my garden is wasted on me

Because she is ignorant

Because I am disabled

I am over-weight

Because the drugs that keep me alive

contribute to my weight gain

Because I am lazy and eat too much

I sometimes look a mess

Because on means tested and disability benefits

my clothing budget is severely restricted

Because I can't be bothered to take a pride in my appearance.

I have not had a holiday for 8 years

Because I cannot afford one

Why do I need a holiday, I don't have to go out to work.

My neighbour's husband threatened me with his fist

when I proved he had damaged my property

Because I am a disabled female who lives alone

Because I asked for it

BUT LOOK ON THE BRIGHT SIDE ....

I employ staff who do the ...

housework, laundry, ironing, cleaning, shopping

You work 9-5 then have to do it all.

My mortgage was paid off by my medical insurance 20 years early

You have to work another 20 years before you have paid yours.

and last but by no means least ...

My husband left at the first signs of my disabilities

saying: " I need a wife who can support me in my career"

That was a real bonus to becoming disabled, which I only

appreciated once the shock had worn off.

My Physical Disabilities have been a golden pathway

to meeting many lovely, intelligent, articulate, amusing

entertaining, beautiful, wise

people with disabilities - look around all the other Blogs.

1 in 7

It Could Happen to You - Help Change Society Now