3.9 Take a moment and just think
No one ever intentionally sets out to deliberately hurt or make anyone feel upset, ashamed or sad,
But this is not always the outcome when it comes to those with a disability who are often made to feel bad.
Thinking you mean well when you say that you or your business has disabled access or is disabled friendly,
This only puts the spotlight on our difficulties or showcases our inabilities and is actually quite unfriendly.
The fact we have unintended ignorance and bias in a modern world is a fact that is truly, obscenely mad.
My difference is not a condition I ‘suffer’ from, nor is it an illness or something to hide, it is part of me,
Autism defines me, it is part of my identity. I am not ill, I do not ‘suffer from autism’. I am happy and free.
Use not terms, a little bit autistic, a little bit deaf, a little bit blind, don't belittle us and our conditions,
Sadly and very regrettably, due to ignorance, we often find ourselves subject to a barrage of inquisitions.
Take a moment to stop and just think, can you not open your eyes and for once actually use them to see?
“I know you would not expect the same treatment as normal people”… whoa, stop! Wait just there!
Are you now implying I am abnormal? Do you realise what you just said? Are you not self-aware?
See me not as an invalid. For why would I not be seen as valid? I see no reason why this would be.
I am normal, I also happen to have autism. But most importantly, I am human and I am no other than me.
You are not a perfect clone, so why should I be too? We are all unique with our own personal flair.
Handicapped is suggestive that my abilities are capped, but there stands the ignorance, it is unmistakable,
I do not see you being able to perform every activity possible. I am not handicapped, I am handicapable.
Think of me not as a spastic or a retard, I am perfectly sound of mind, these words can cause offence,
Just because my mind processes things differently. Claiming ignorance is not a valid form of defence.
Sometimes those with a disability perform greater than those without one and are deeply inspirational.
We may be autistic, or we may have another condition but we stand proud. Yet, here it comes again,
“Oh you have autism, you must be really intelligent!” Yet more ignorance thrust upon us, again and again.
Stereotyped continuously. Labels grabbed at and sloppily applied. Used in plain sight, no attempt to hide,
I have had enough, they do hurt. But I have grown strong, yet I know my last tear has not yet been cried.
Impairments we have not, for we are not to be seen as weak or diminished, I too stand tall with other men.
Please now take a moment to step back and just think about the implications of what you do and say,
Ignorance, intolerance and a lack of understanding is not a price anyone with a disability is prepared to pay.
Words may not strike a blow direct to our flesh, but they strike internally, impacting us deep within,
Do not put us down, nor try to change us. We ask to ditch the ignorance then we can all share in the win.
Proud I stand. I can’t change who I am. I will always be autistic. I will always be me, come what may.
***
Jamie Scott Watkinson-Harvey
But this is not always the outcome when it comes to those with a disability who are often made to feel bad.
Thinking you mean well when you say that you or your business has disabled access or is disabled friendly,
This only puts the spotlight on our difficulties or showcases our inabilities and is actually quite unfriendly.
The fact we have unintended ignorance and bias in a modern world is a fact that is truly, obscenely mad.
My difference is not a condition I ‘suffer’ from, nor is it an illness or something to hide, it is part of me,
Autism defines me, it is part of my identity. I am not ill, I do not ‘suffer from autism’. I am happy and free.
Use not terms, a little bit autistic, a little bit deaf, a little bit blind, don't belittle us and our conditions,
Sadly and very regrettably, due to ignorance, we often find ourselves subject to a barrage of inquisitions.
Take a moment to stop and just think, can you not open your eyes and for once actually use them to see?
“I know you would not expect the same treatment as normal people”… whoa, stop! Wait just there!
Are you now implying I am abnormal? Do you realise what you just said? Are you not self-aware?
See me not as an invalid. For why would I not be seen as valid? I see no reason why this would be.
I am normal, I also happen to have autism. But most importantly, I am human and I am no other than me.
You are not a perfect clone, so why should I be too? We are all unique with our own personal flair.
Handicapped is suggestive that my abilities are capped, but there stands the ignorance, it is unmistakable,
I do not see you being able to perform every activity possible. I am not handicapped, I am handicapable.
Think of me not as a spastic or a retard, I am perfectly sound of mind, these words can cause offence,
Just because my mind processes things differently. Claiming ignorance is not a valid form of defence.
Sometimes those with a disability perform greater than those without one and are deeply inspirational.
We may be autistic, or we may have another condition but we stand proud. Yet, here it comes again,
“Oh you have autism, you must be really intelligent!” Yet more ignorance thrust upon us, again and again.
Stereotyped continuously. Labels grabbed at and sloppily applied. Used in plain sight, no attempt to hide,
I have had enough, they do hurt. But I have grown strong, yet I know my last tear has not yet been cried.
Impairments we have not, for we are not to be seen as weak or diminished, I too stand tall with other men.
Please now take a moment to step back and just think about the implications of what you do and say,
Ignorance, intolerance and a lack of understanding is not a price anyone with a disability is prepared to pay.
Words may not strike a blow direct to our flesh, but they strike internally, impacting us deep within,
Do not put us down, nor try to change us. We ask to ditch the ignorance then we can all share in the win.
Proud I stand. I can’t change who I am. I will always be autistic. I will always be me, come what may.
***
Jamie Scott Watkinson-Harvey