Corrosive
For Blogging Against Disablism 2008
What do you say to someone who thinks you ‘deserve’ what ‘happened’ to you? Because it was caused, directly or otherwise, by something you did. Because you should have known better. Because you should have seen it coming.
What do you say to someone who thinks your genetic defect is “nature’s way of thinning the herd”? Because we can’t all be beautiful. Because we can’t all be healthy. Because we can all be Nietzschean philosophers.
What about someone who thinks your psychological problems are ‘made up’? Because they can’t see or touch them. Because you should have some self-control. Because how can you prove Munchausen’s?
What about someone who thinks your child is ‘cursed’ due to your past? Because you played fast and loose with your morals. Because you were disrespectful of yourself. Because children are but mere extensions of their parents.
What do you say to someone who stares unabashedly at your prosthetic limb? Because they have never seen one up close. Because they can’t imagine a worse fate befalling anyone. Because they pity you.
Maybe you say FUCK OFF, and you carry on. Maybe you say come here, let me educate you. Maybe you don’t say anything. Maybe you don’t speak. Maybe you stew.
Maybe you start to think they’re onto something. Because you’re forced into despair. Because you’re bludgeoned into submission. Because ignorance corrodes.
What do you say?
1 May 2008 at 7:25 pm
If I am feeling evil, bitter, and twisted, I have actually said, “wait until it happens to you.” But that happens rarely.
1 May 2008 at 9:41 pm
I phone my best friend and spend the night on the tiniest couch in the whole world and thank jesus sweet baby jesus that i have friends such as he and then I eat chips and mussy peas and care not what people think or say or do or anything ever and if I did care I would put my hands over my eyes and think ‘I can’t hear you’
so when we going dancing? x
1 May 2008 at 9:50 pm
What do I say to someone who stares unabashedly at my prosthetic limb?
Usually, I say: “Hello, do you wanna cop a feel?”
2 May 2008 at 6:48 pm
I write it out, hoping someone will understand what it means.
2 May 2008 at 8:05 pm
Wheelchair Dancer: Hello and welcome. I like your style.
Andre: Sounds like a pretty good coping mechanism to me. Should we salsa or disco? I’m easy. (Shut it.)
AUW: You tart! ;)
Ariel: Definitely my preferred method. Except for the being understood bit. Slim chance of that for me, I suspect.
2 May 2008 at 8:36 pm
maybe we should pogo?