Great post & great comment – ” It is about independence, which is more a state of mind than a list of physical capabilities.”

I realize that you were referring to your business, but I also feel that when you look at yourself as being (dis)abled that you are doing yourself & others a dis-service. You are placing even more limitations on yourself; even more than the dis-ability brings.

People with (dis)abilities just have a different way of doing things. When one thing doesn’t work, we need to come up with a creative solution. Sometimes it’s looking at a problem in a different light…brainstorming until you find a suitable alternative.

I have had rheumatoid arthritis since age 14. When I had my first child, I had a major flare. My whole body was under attack. My hands were in so much pain that I could not undo a velcro diaper tab on a disposable diaper. I needed to get creative or my daughter would have been in a soiled diaper all day long. I used my teeth! I was able to grip it enough to get the velcro started & then use my fingers. Wooohooo! Still difficult, but at least I was able to look after my daughter while my husband was at work. During that trying time, I needed to come up with new ways to care for my daughter without putting undo strain on my joints. The hardest decision I made during that time was admitting that I couldn’t do it all on my own; and that I needed help.

I think, in general, the public is intimidated/uncomfortable around (dis)abled people as they have not been around someone with a certain disability or they don’t know what to say.

We can change this view point by sharing our (dis)ability openly & honestly. People only feel those heebee jeebees when we don’t take the time to educate/talk with people within our path.

Just because we are different/(dis)abled does not mean that we are not unique or that we don’t have alot to offer!

We are UNIQUE and have alot to offer! Just like able-bodied people.

It’s all in how you look at it….

There has been change over the years, but there is still room for growth and acceptance.

May we continue to look at a person’s ABILITY rather than his/her dis-ABILITY.

Amen?!!!

Fascinating – yours was the first other BADD blog I’ve read, and we’ve both mentioned the Law of Attraction. Divine! I guess that’s the Law working.

Best
Philip

http://diversityworks.co.nz/writing/2007/05/blogging-against-disablism-day-the-actual-blog.htm

My work means I cannot blog about it *at all* and expect to keep my job, so I’m always interested to read other folks impressions on working with impairment

You’re so right! My disability, cerebral palsy, is not one I can hide. When meet people face-to-face, they have all these
stereotypes, misperceptions and assumptions about me. I need to get through all that stuff before we can get down to the reason for meeting.

Working online enables me to control when and how to disclose. It is so liberating!

One business associate is rather adamant that I provide all the gory details in the proposal, which, to me, is equivalent to the interview. I listen to her well-meaning advice, and then go ahead to write the proposal, focusing on providing the information the client requested. My business, my way! It is about independence, which is more a state of mind than a list of physical capabilities.