Something I Wish Abled Bodied People Would Understand Is That Just Because I’m Using A Mobility Aid

having the ability to create art, but your chronic pain keeps you from it, is one of the most frustrating and mentally painful things..

I think that it's really important for people to realize that being disabled is traumatic. genuinely. your body and brain feel like they are breaking down and wrong. you are in constant heavy stress from stuff like chronic pain. most disabled people i know have a somewhat regular emotional break down from the trauma of it all. and we are expected to just smile through it by society, to not be in the way, to not be an issue.

Important

there’s nothing shameful about making things easier or more accessible for yourself btw.

if your disability means you can rarely/never cook so you have to order out a lot, or buy precut ingredients, or if you need other people to help you cook even “simple” meals.

if your disability means you struggle with personal hygiene so you don’t shower standing up, or don’t brush & floss “correctly” or long enough, or put up your hair when you can’t handle brushing it.

if your disability means you’re not able to engage in your hobbies in a “normal” or “correct” way. if you have to watch movies multiple times because your brain fog is making it hard to follow the plot. if you need accessibility tools to be able to draw or paint. if you have to do everything from bed.

you’re not doing anything bad or wrong. you’re being kind to yourself and caring for yourself in the ways that you’re able to. it’s nothing to be ashamed of.

able bodied people will freak out when they see an ambulatory mobility aid user not using their aids but won't question it when a hiker only uses a walking stick or trekking poles when they're hiking. they're the same thing.