Thread by @Grace_LDW

There are two disability related stories that are popping up on my timeline and they are very different from one another but show us something interesting about disableism.

The first is about the group @DragSyndrome who had an event cancelled in the US because someone questioned whether the artists could give informed consent to perform because they all have #DownSyndrome

out.com/news/2019/9/03…

The other are the attacks being levelled against @GretaThunberg that attack not her politics but her appearance and mannerism. #GretaThunberg is being attacked for not behaving in a neurotypical way but for being visibly autistic.

theguardian.com/environment/20…

What both of these stories have in common is the way that many people talk about the people involved. Those looking to discredit @GretaThunberg and @DragSyndrome tend to talk about them as if they are victims.

I have read too many comments on how they are being manipulated, used or exploited. How someone is using them to promote a cause.

It's like some people cannot imagine that someone who is autistic or has down syndrome also has free will or a voice worth listening to

And it even more unbelievable to some people that disabled people should have identities other than their diagnoses. That they should have passions, interests and desires that are as real as anyone else's.

Greta Thurnberg is a brilliant girl whose love of the world has led her to be an amazing activist

The members of Drag Syndrome are talented artists who bring joy to others lives while changing attitudes

And they have all chosen their own path

The disableism of things like that are more than just annoying, they are dangerous. Too often disabled people are not listened to or taken seriously even when it comes to their own lives.

Under the guise of wanting to protect "vulnerable" adults or children people with a learning disability in particular are often not allowed to make choices about their own lives.

When we read stories like this it's important to remember that so many disabled people encounter attitudes like this every day.

And that's why it's important to always include their voices when decisions that affect us all are made!