#ChildrenInNeed time once again ppl… time for me & many other disabled people to turn off the TV. Now, instead of jumping 2 the conclusion that I am “evil”, have a heart made of steel because I don’t cry at the plinky plonky piano music & VT of a kid that gets a new wheelchair
& that I lack empathy or sympathy as a human being.
Just take a few mins to read/listen to why I/we find this hard to swallow.
What does it feel like to be inside one of these glittery #charity events as a disabled young person/child? -
Que VT plinky plonky music.! We are taught consciously & unconsciously 2 ALWAYS be ‘positive’, to be ‘brave’ & ‘determined’ to always have a smile on your face no matter what is going on, forced meetings with politicians, charity people (often dodgy but thats another story! ) 😱
& just the general public. You are encouraged that whether what u are going through hurts, whether it’s nasty, whether it’s heartbreaking or scary for YOU, make sure u smile for everyone else. Cause that makes makes EVERYONE else feel better.
You are encouraged to say “I can do everything that everyone else can do!” & “I don’t let anything get me down, Im so determined!” & “I will BEAT this!” etc. You are also pushed into smiling & saying how great you are doing because you know that you &
ur family will not get the things u need 2 survive if u don’t.. whether that b respite care, a wheelchair that u desperately need that ’fits’ u in order 2 move around independently, that doesn’t come under the funding ‘rules’ or just simply a house that is safe for u & ur family.
U also don’t get any presents or get clapped if you are feeling down, questioning or fearful as a disabled or ill child.. what is only congratulated by everyone around you & the world is positivity, pushing through, triumph over adversity! Just think about this for one min..
the responsibility of the child 2 b all of these things 2 gain basic needs 2 live life & more importantly not make people around them/caring 4 them/the ones they most love worry or cry.? Its fucking HUGE. I (& many) can only make sense of this and question this as a grown adult.
Similar 2 the “big boys don’t cry” thing..in a very different way we’ve done alot of collective & individual work on recognising (still a long way 2 go) that being a boy/man does not mean there is lack of vulnerability or fear & that we should be free to communicate that without
letting anyone down.. Please consider this the same as disability & question the responsibility you are (mostly) unconsciously putting on those disabled children (or adults)
PLEASE use ur time & pennies watching & donating 2 #ChildrenInNeed 2 teach yourself about the 'models' of disability & make sure you are informed in order to make a real change to these kids (& us) by
not expecting us 2 inspire u just by living our lives & ask of ur government/MP’s 2 support disabled ppl of all ages with basic needs instead of having to rely on “smiling” & “determination” 2 get very basic needs met. That would really help. Thanks for hearing me :-). Lisa xx
Huge apologies @stellayoung, I tagged the wrong person Im so sorry! I meant to tag @stellajyoung. !! 🙄😱!
You can follow @lisahammondwhop.
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