Summary of this morning:
I was using my wheels today—pain in my hip and POTS stuff. I had an appt. with my cardiologist. I was sitting in the waiting room & a guy strolls in and starts wishing everyone a great day. He is loud, but seems well-intentioned.
Behind me, I hear, “Well, at least it’s not supposed to rain today.”
Laughter.
The full waiting area goes dead silent. He backpedals, apologizes. Apologizes again as he leaves. But it doesn’t matter. I was the punchline to his joke. I was the example he held up of a worst-case scenario.
We are powerful. And I am stronger for being disabled. I am proud of it.
Being disabled isn’t a worst-case scenario. It’s a source of strength.
Take your ableism and shove it.