I was told today (not for the first time) that I am different from even those who have disabilities. It wasnt expounded on, but the gist is that I am different because I can self-advocate, I do not have a comorbid disability (very often people who have cerebral palsy have some form of mental delay), and Im stubborn in the fact that I dont give up easily when I see that doggedness is needed. But I also find that the word special has ceased to be such in our society - very often its a polite way to say that someone is delayed, has physical difficulties, or needs extra assistance. What I came away with today (aside from personally feeling affronted that I had it affirmed that I am even more different) is that I want to speak for those who cant. Whether they physically cannot communicate as the mainstream would understand, or if they dont have the mental capacity or understanding of the system to know how to assert themselves, I would like to use that (to me, rather disturbing) term of different and use it as a strength.
Posted on: Thu, 21 Aug 2014 23:36:51 +0000
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