Hi Jodi - it is indeed a complicated one. I consider myself to be a disabled person and am quite proud to call myself such. Perhaps there isn't as much stigma around the term here in the UK? I admit to using the term for humorous purposes when I don't want to do something, I'll exclaim very loudly in a mock upset way, "I'm disabled you know!" to make a a joke out of not being able to do certain things. As I walk with a stick, my disability is pretty obvious to see, and I don't mind that too much as generally I find people to be kind and considerate. I always get a seat on the bus! I guess I feel it is good to be proud of my difference. There are a lot of things that are difficult for me but I try and keep my sense of humour about it. Jenny xx
Thanks for writing, Jenny. I rather doubt there's less stigma around disability in the UK.
That being said, knowing you as I do, your attitude about everything is so uplifting. And it doesn't seem your dis-ability prevents you from being quite able -- to produce fabulous cookbooks, for example, and accompanying hilarious videos. I'm so privileged to know you. You always brighten my day.
It is just words, after all -- sticks and stones and all that -- but the words we use can have unforeseen consequences. I guess I was just pondering one such word here but there is so much more to unpack with this topic.
Thanks again for reading and for commenting. I hope you are doing well. See you in a London Writers' Salon zoom box soon, I hope. Love and hugs!
Funny, I'm heading to Jackson, Wyo., tomorrow to report on a greenhouse (Vertical Harvest) that hires people with disabilities -- about half their workforce. The labels on their produce say something like grown locally by people with different abilities and it was what caught my eye to find out more about them. That was several years ago. I'm not sure that's exactly the same because they aren't labeling people as differently-abled. They are saying the food is grown by people with different abilities, which, of course, is true because we ALL have different abilities whether we are disabled or not. What do you think?
Interesting. I feel torn because I agree that we all have different abilities – and these change with age, as I am learning! It's an issue increasingly coming up with the question of neurodiversity – I struggle with the idea that any of us is neuronormative (especially those of us who have had mental health problems in our lives). At the same time, I recognise that some kinds of disability – both physical and neurological – have serious access implications, and if they go unnamed under a broad celebratory acknowledgement of "we're all different"! such people experience serious discrimination. My different abilities do not prevent me from climbing stairs, doing basic maths, etc. So recognition of difference, yes, but not ignoring the realities of access and our collective responsibility. Sorry for the rather long rambling reply. Interesting post!
Thanks, CL! I love what you wrote and yes, I agree. It is challenging. The last point you made about ignoring the realities of access are exactly why people readily identify as disabled.
I had an interesting conversation with Caroline Croft Estay at Vertical Harvest about this. TBH, I can't recall much of it at the moment -- I'm pretty wiped from the trip. But I'll be revisiting the notes over the next couple of days to write the story and I'll report back here about that -- maybe it'll be part 2.
Thanks for reading and please don't apologize for writing a well-considered response. That's why I wrote the post in the first place, to start a conversation. It is fascinating to ponder.
Dave O! I had no idea you were reading these. Thanks! As to your suggestion ... hmmm, feels too close to special needs, methinks. But we could all use to be enlightened, no? See you on the radio!
while I don’t really “claim” the label as some do in the sense that I don’t construct my identity with it—you won’t find it in my Twitter bio, about page, anything— when it is brought up in conversation I try to point out to others that my ADHD is a disability— in part to advocate for myself and in part to acknowledge that disability is everywhere & expresses differently for everyone. But I also don’t like it, but mostly because I feel like people with and without one sometimes use it as shorthand for something more complex that deserves elaboration and not stereotype
Sounds like you have mixed feelings about labels -- me too. It is certainly complicated.
On the one hand, it is a LABEL and I don't like being stereotyped or put into some sort of preconceived box of expectations because I have ADHD.
On the other hand, getting the diagnosis -- especially after all the years of struggling to be and live as an adult (which, btw, is overrated 😁) -- it was such a relief to understand why I struggled. And knowing why also provided a means for me to address the issues that were holding me back from truly thriving.
So, yeah. Complicated. Thanks for reading and commenting.
Hi Jodi - it is indeed a complicated one. I consider myself to be a disabled person and am quite proud to call myself such. Perhaps there isn't as much stigma around the term here in the UK? I admit to using the term for humorous purposes when I don't want to do something, I'll exclaim very loudly in a mock upset way, "I'm disabled you know!" to make a a joke out of not being able to do certain things. As I walk with a stick, my disability is pretty obvious to see, and I don't mind that too much as generally I find people to be kind and considerate. I always get a seat on the bus! I guess I feel it is good to be proud of my difference. There are a lot of things that are difficult for me but I try and keep my sense of humour about it. Jenny xx
Thanks for writing, Jenny. I rather doubt there's less stigma around disability in the UK.
That being said, knowing you as I do, your attitude about everything is so uplifting. And it doesn't seem your dis-ability prevents you from being quite able -- to produce fabulous cookbooks, for example, and accompanying hilarious videos. I'm so privileged to know you. You always brighten my day.
It is just words, after all -- sticks and stones and all that -- but the words we use can have unforeseen consequences. I guess I was just pondering one such word here but there is so much more to unpack with this topic.
Thanks again for reading and for commenting. I hope you are doing well. See you in a London Writers' Salon zoom box soon, I hope. Love and hugs!
Aw, thanks my lovely. It's a fascinating debate, that's for sure xx
Thanks, Jodi. A really helpful read. I had used "differently abled" in the past - I won't anymore!
Thanks for reading C Lou Hamilton.
Funny, I'm heading to Jackson, Wyo., tomorrow to report on a greenhouse (Vertical Harvest) that hires people with disabilities -- about half their workforce. The labels on their produce say something like grown locally by people with different abilities and it was what caught my eye to find out more about them. That was several years ago. I'm not sure that's exactly the same because they aren't labeling people as differently-abled. They are saying the food is grown by people with different abilities, which, of course, is true because we ALL have different abilities whether we are disabled or not. What do you think?
Interesting. I feel torn because I agree that we all have different abilities – and these change with age, as I am learning! It's an issue increasingly coming up with the question of neurodiversity – I struggle with the idea that any of us is neuronormative (especially those of us who have had mental health problems in our lives). At the same time, I recognise that some kinds of disability – both physical and neurological – have serious access implications, and if they go unnamed under a broad celebratory acknowledgement of "we're all different"! such people experience serious discrimination. My different abilities do not prevent me from climbing stairs, doing basic maths, etc. So recognition of difference, yes, but not ignoring the realities of access and our collective responsibility. Sorry for the rather long rambling reply. Interesting post!
Thanks, CL! I love what you wrote and yes, I agree. It is challenging. The last point you made about ignoring the realities of access are exactly why people readily identify as disabled.
I had an interesting conversation with Caroline Croft Estay at Vertical Harvest about this. TBH, I can't recall much of it at the moment -- I'm pretty wiped from the trip. But I'll be revisiting the notes over the next couple of days to write the story and I'll report back here about that -- maybe it'll be part 2.
Thanks for reading and please don't apologize for writing a well-considered response. That's why I wrote the post in the first place, to start a conversation. It is fascinating to ponder.
I just reread your post and came up with a new term...enlightened ability?? Labels...tough.
Dave O! I had no idea you were reading these. Thanks! As to your suggestion ... hmmm, feels too close to special needs, methinks. But we could all use to be enlightened, no? See you on the radio!
while I don’t really “claim” the label as some do in the sense that I don’t construct my identity with it—you won’t find it in my Twitter bio, about page, anything— when it is brought up in conversation I try to point out to others that my ADHD is a disability— in part to advocate for myself and in part to acknowledge that disability is everywhere & expresses differently for everyone. But I also don’t like it, but mostly because I feel like people with and without one sometimes use it as shorthand for something more complex that deserves elaboration and not stereotype
Hi Gem. Thanks for your comment.
Sounds like you have mixed feelings about labels -- me too. It is certainly complicated.
On the one hand, it is a LABEL and I don't like being stereotyped or put into some sort of preconceived box of expectations because I have ADHD.
On the other hand, getting the diagnosis -- especially after all the years of struggling to be and live as an adult (which, btw, is overrated 😁) -- it was such a relief to understand why I struggled. And knowing why also provided a means for me to address the issues that were holding me back from truly thriving.
So, yeah. Complicated. Thanks for reading and commenting.
Great article Jodi- it really is a minefield!
Thanks for reading, my friend. I hope it helps. Hugs!