The narrative that all disabilities/chronic illnesses will disappear as medicine/technology improves is both incorrect and harmful. First, this narrative helps drive the idea that disability/CI is always bad and SHOULD be eliminated. 1/

If given the option, a lot of people with disabilities (maybe not *as* many with CI) wouldn’t just get rid of them. Many disabilities/CI either directly or indirectly have a positive affect on one’s life and/or survival, as well on the species as a whole. 2/

Not everyone sees their disability/CI as being disabling outside of a society that refuses to adapt for them. Wanting to eradicate all disabilities/CI so that society can stop adapting to them is lazy at best. 3/

Just because you don’t see how a trait (that is defined today as a disability/CI) could offer an advantage, does not mean it doesn’t in today’s world or won’t in the future. 4/

An example, is that as many tasks become automated, we value emotional intelligence and unique ways of thinking more and more. Often, disability/CI can provide people greater empathy and creativity/adaptability. These traits are likely to become a great asset. 5/

The survival of the species may depend on our variation. Someone that is seen as having a disability/CI today could have an advantage in a different landscape and perhaps they would not even be viewed as having a disability/CI. 6/

Thinking that getting rid of CI/disabilities is possible and/or always good for our species seems to be based on the idea that humans are made perfectly for any current or future landscape, and that there can be no advantage to falling outside of the norm. 7/

But the world is not static. And neither are humans. You can’t always determine if a disability/CI does not or will not offer an advantage to the individual or society. And trying to get rid of variation does humanity a disservice. 8/

Last points. I, personally, have had positive effects from my CIs; however, I would choose to get rid of them if I could. It should not be the assumption that this is true for everyone. If you want more examples of benefits resulting from CIs/disabilities, I can provide them. 9/9