20240228-disability.txt

"Disability" is a word I really, really hate. I do. I get asked on
every job application if I have a disability, and if I wanted to, I
could say yes based on the criteria/diagnoses considered such. But I
am not disabled. I have certain issues, just like most people. I think
differently than most people. I use computers differently than most
people. I even type differently than most people. It's not a
disability and I'm not disabled.

I can understand if people in wheelchairs should be given special
parking spaces. I do. But I don't consider that a disability, either.

At what point does a person perfectly capable of performing necessary
life functions become disabled? I think it should be only appled to
people who are unconscious or people who are unable to perform life
functions without the aid of machines (eating, breathing).

It's a crock of shit. Everyone has weaknesses and everyone has
strengths. Physical or mental weaknesses, other than the ones I
described, are not disabilities. You can't hear? I bet your other
senses are more powerful. Can't see? I bet your hearing is impeccable.
Can't run? Neither can a ton of people.

This kind of labeling is detrimental to a human being and humanity in
general. I remember when I would see people in wheelchairs or people
with obvious ticks or whatnot and I'd feel like crying because I
couldn't figure out how to act around them. I'd feel sorry for them
because they couldn't walk or couldn't "think normally." But most
"disabled" people want to be treated normally, as they should. I
finally got over it and stopped trying to define people by their
obvious differences. And no, I don't subscribe to calling anyone
"differently abled." That's everyone; everyone is differently abled.

I hold the door for pretty much everyone. I don't look at people in
wheelchairs as if they're freaks or babies that need someone to do
every little thing for them. I don't act like people with mental
retardation need to be nurtured or protected more than anyone else.
Treat people decently and equally and all this injustice about which
so many people whine will be greatly reduced. This applies to more
than just people with so-called "disabilities." The thought that
haunts me is that maybe most people are disabled if they can't figure
this out.