When we undermine someone’s life-altering issue by framing it as something that everyone deals with, we dismiss the magnitude of the societal problems that contextualize bigotry, we disrespect marginalized people’s ability to assess their own problems, we discourage the pursuit of solutions for widespread unearned suffering, and we sign off on allowing that suffering to continue.
Tag: ableism
Adjusting to Social-Distancing & Other Lessons from Chronic Illness
I’d like to share some of my hard-earned lessons that have come from the last 5+ years of managing multiple chronic illnesses and a disability that have since proved incredibly useful during the pandemic.
How Physicians Can Be Better Mental Health Resources
Physicians can have a major impact on how we treat, understand, and confront our mental health. But, I’d like to offer that we, the patients, have much to teach physicians about approaching mental health care.
Redefining Disability: An Identity of Adaptation and Creativity
Ever since I joined the disabled community, I’ve been fascinated by the divide in perception of the concept of “disability” between people who are disabled, and people who are not. I wanted to distill this shift in perspective and make progress in redefining disability for a larger number of non-disabled people.
The Problem with Slurs
What is a slur? What’s the difference between a slur and an insult? Why shouldn’t we use them? Why do marginalized people get to use slurs that describe them and we don’t? These are just some of the questions addressed in this article about slurs.
Interview for Secular Sexuality: Sex and Disability
Remember my interview about sex and disability last month on the podcast Into Your Body? I did another interview on the same topic! CN: brief discussion of sexuality, sexism influenced medical neglect, reproductive disorders, and disability. Story time: Before that podcast was recorded, Vi La Bianca, a previous guest blogger for Yopp, invited me to come onto her youtube show Secular Sexuality to discuss sex and disability. To be honest, I felt nervous about interviewing …Read More
Power Dynamics Part 2: Privilege and Power
In Power Dynamics Part 1, I looked at the traits and patterns that can be used to identify uneven power dynamics in interpersonal relationships. In Part 2, I explore how these patterns manifest themselves between marginalized and privileged groups in society.
Podcast Interview on Sex and Disability
A few weeks ago I got together with my friend DJ and we had a conversation about sex & disability for his podcast Into Your Body. Dj’s podcast explores some progressive takes on sexuality and your relationship with your body, particularly exploring how these topics intersect with particular marginalizations.
Let’s End the Stigma Against Anti-Depressants
When I first started taking anti-depressants, I knew I could benefit from connecting to others over the shared experience but the fear of rejection was too powerful. There’s an enormous stigma against anti-depressants, or taking any medication at all for mental health. But there shouldn’t be.
I Can’t Fix Myself But I’m Supposed To
Sunflower Punk’s guest article covers her life-long struggle with chronic pain, living 6 years with an untreated broken ankle, doctors blaming her health problems on her weight, inaccessible housing, and juggling all of those while also raising a kid as a single mom. It’s worth a read as is her follow up post today.