Demystifying Disability: What to Know, What to Say, and How to Be an Ally

by Emily Ladau

disability exists in infinite forms, even people who share the same diagnosis (if they have one) don’t have identical experiences.

So it’s important to remember that if you’ve met one disabled person, you’ve met one disabled person. And if you have a disability, then the only disability experience you’re an expert on is your own.

Disability: a state of being; a natural part of the human experience.

it’s important to think about how we talk about disability, because the way we talk shapes how we think, and the way we think shapes how we talk.

Neal does experience difficulties, but not because of who he is. They’re because of who society determines him to be, based on prejudice.

“We’ve been sold the lie that disability is a Bad Thing, capital B, capital T. It’s a bad thing, and to live with a disability makes you exceptional. It’s not a bad thing, and it doesn’t make you exceptional.”