Popular culture does not prepare us for the reality of #disability and illness. Here are 7 facts and personal observations from me (ie: not applicable to everyone): 🧵

1) Illness and disability are common human experiences. ie: Not rare, and not because someone is cursed or bad 2) #ChronicIllness is defined broadly as conditions that last 1 year or more and require ongoing medical attention or limit activities of daily living or both. Chronic illness is very common and effects an estimated 40% or more of the population. Again, not rare.

Quick reminder: Not all #wheelchair users have paralysis.

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**Warning: The slo-mo may make the lights appear to flicker.**

#AmbulatoryWheelchairUsersExist Every. Time.

Do yourself a favor and Google #AmbulatoryWheelchairUsers. It takes as long as it does to write this #ableist garbage to a wheelchair user.

Engracia said in multiple interviews: “Mobility devices are an extension of our bodies. When they are damaged or destroyed, we become re-disabled. Until the airlines learn how to treat our devices with the care and respect they deserve, flying remains inaccessible.”

https://twitter.com/stevesilberman/status/1456475507222986756

So few non-disabled people seem to understand that #wheelchairs are not simply interchangeable. It's not like a kitchen chair or even a car you can just go out and buy off the lot. They are customized to the disabled person's body, an extension of the person, like a prosthetic.

The #Oscars would not permit winner Anthony Hopkins, 83, to participate remotely from overseas during a deadly pandemic with a heavy death toll - particularly for people over 60? Forgive me if I feel this does not reflect well on their commitment to #accessibility. Let me be clear: That is some #ableist garbage right there.