Ableism

When I read the word Ableism, my mind usually tunes into the concepts of "the ability to do something". Then my mind starts to wonder if I constantly thank God for the ability to walk, read, breath, simple everyday tasks, or if I'm taking these things for granted. After my initial thoughts, I tend to feel guilty because of all the things that I'm able to do while there are millions of people out there that aren't. I am a part of what the world considers "normal", and honestly would I trade that, no, but by no means does it give me the right the negate the fact that the the world see's people with disabilities as "abnormal".

People tend to look at people with disabilities as inadequate or incapable of doing the things that the "norm" can do, but that is what needs to change. In one of the the chapters As Much Love as You Can Muster the author Lesley Jones who wasn't diagnosed with Asperger's syndrome until he was an adult,  discussed how growing up he wished that adults would have focused on what he could do, rather than what he couldn't do. People constantly looked as he pitfalls instead of what he could achieve and how far he'd come though he struggled.

I truly believe that society has poisoned our minds to make us believe that different is wrong, and the inability to conform to the norm is unacceptable. It's common that most people think of the loss of limbs, or someone of special needs when thinking about people that are disabled, and we sometimes fail to realize that disabilities come in all shapes, forms and fashions. I feel that when exploring the world of disability it is important to look at all aspects and not just focus on what society has proclaimed as different.

This may be taboo to bring up, but I feel as though it is important; when having encounters with people that are labeled as disabled some people don't know how to approach them. You don't know whether to look and acknowledge that they are there, or not look out of fear that they'll thinking that you're staring; I think that it may be an uncomfortable situation for all people involved.

On another note, my friend and I were discussing this topic and she shared this video with me. It amazes my mine that people have such small minds and are so hurtful. The title of this video had the word UGLY in it which completely blew my mind..."anywho" here goes...

This topic just really has my head fuming.........