Do you feel comfortable with the word "disabled"?
Question for y'all out there with invisible disabilities like chronic pain, migraines, or mental health issues: do you feel comfortable using the word "disabled"? What has your relationship with "disability pride" been like-- do you feel it applies to you? Do you feel like it's a community you can engage with? Why do you feel that way? As somebody with both mental health and physical issues, all of which are invisible, I've been thinking a lot about this recently, and would love to hear from you guys what your thoughts are.
@painchronicwordsiconic Yes I am comfortable, with the word disabled.
@painchronicwordsiconic
i was not at first but i am years later.....it's hard admitting to others sometimes being legally disabled for mental health
@charmingSky5972 Thanks for sharing your thoughts with us.
I am very comfortable with it. I infact embrace it. I choose to accept and embrace being a disabled person in a world that is so determined to ignore my challenges or use them as an excuse to exclude and abuse me when it's convenient.
The word Disabled tends to make abled people uncomfortable like it's the most undesirable thing to be. So I purposely choose to almost be proud of it as a form of activism for acceptance and accessibility.
@faeven1theythem
Beautiful stance! For me it's still an uncomfortable thought at times, but overall I have started using this word as advocacy for myself, the same as you do.
@faeven1theythem Thanks for sharing your thoughts with us.
@painchronicwordsiconic
Personally, I really struggle to use the term because I look perfectly fine and my conditions are invisible and variable. I can have one good day and one really bad day. Unfortunately the stigma is so strong, people can't believe someone like me is disabled. I know there are people worse than me, but there are people who are a lot better than me. I struggle a lot more than I tend to let myself admit to, but I've also lived the same way my entire life so I don't know any different. :\
@painchronicwordsiconic, great question!
I personally do not like the word "disabled" because of the stigmas behind it. I prefer "uniquely challenged" which isn't much better but has less stigmas in my mind. I do feel pride about my disabilities though as it has made me stronger and into the person I am today. I can engage in the community with it but it is finding those with my conditions to engage with that sometimes is the struggle
It's fine by me. Kinda reminds me of computer software. Turn on and off. Not like you can do that with your disability. Sometimes my family is not always comfortable. Poor example of explaining someone's problem. I don't see it that way.
I'm getting comfortable with it. My biggest challenge is facing my family of origin with openness about embracing the truth.
To be honest I dont like to say I am disabled. Mainly because others treat me differently and I can hide my physical disability. Especially at work, I don't like to note or tell them my entire left leg is destroyed and I have a hard time walking at times. I just usually suck it up and Manage thr pain
It took me along time to finally be comfortable with my leg. I've learned to love it
@painchronicwordsiconic
I don't mind the term at all. I used to try hide my invisible disabilities but it's something ppl notice if they spend more time with me anyway. It's easier to be straight forward about it for me.
There are stigmas behind it, yeah, but chancing the word doesn't really get rid of those. I rather use the word openly and teach ppl those stigmas are wrong or why to avoid making them, all that.
@painchronicwordsiconic
Unfortunately there isn't many other words to use to sum up others; but currently I do feel comfortable with that word.
