We’re Really Not That Different: Part 2

Disabled and can’t work? Call xxx-xxx-and-we-will-get-the money-you-deserve-at-no-fee-unless-we-win-your-case. I saw this ad for a law firm that will remain nameless late last night as I was browsing my Cable, and it raised an interesting question in my mind. Are these ads another way to perpetuate stereotypes of disability? I was not convinced one way or another until this morning I saw one of those ads that claimed the following: “Does your child has a birth injury?” And then listed several, including my disability. The ad went on to say that the disabilities entitled the persons concerned to large sums of money. Then they guaranteed that they would help advocate for that money.

After seeing both of these ads, it raised a profoundly disturbing question. Why do we perceive disability as so weak? This goes back to my terminology debates. In my opinion, but quite simply, I believe we perceive disability as a weakness rather than an obstacle. This is by the way we address it.

       To bring home my point, let me address two crucial areas of life: social interaction. The other being that of earning a living. Finally, I will manage a broken system, which reinforces stereotypes. As I’ve said previously, there are two types of disability. One a person is born with and one a person acquires through some means or another later. No matter what type of disability one has, though, it seems that as soon as one is labeled with a “disability,” they are also labeled as weak and need protection or assistance—for example, the law firm’s ad equating disability to not being able to earn a living. I have several things I could say about this ad, many of which are not pleasant, but the most constructive response I have to it is I understand their desired message. However, the way they present it could be different.

       Any lawyer out there who does disability work can feel free to correct me on this point. I believe that the producers and writers of this and are trying to convey that if one is suddenly overcome with a disability after not having one for so long, then it can be overwhelming either emotionally, physically, and in the least thought about way, which would be financial. This point is fair, but I argue the premise that one who is disabled can no longer work needs to be re-thought. Perhaps instead of disabled and can’t work—we will get you the money you need to survive…the slogan could be something like below. “Disabled and have to re-think things? We will get the money you need to get things back under control.” Just because someone is disabled doesn’t mean they cannot contribute to society. Ads like these are not the only element of society preventing disabled people from being meaningful contributors to society in great need of contributions.

The second element is that of something I like to call “the social and projection bias.” What is this bias, you ask? Simply put, it is the idea that disabled people need to be protected from themselves and cruel society. This idea is not only archaic, but it is detrimental to disabled people and society in general. I know many people that believe in the “fixing” philosophy, i.e., that wherever possible, a portion of the person’s disability that can be fixed needs to be. This is harmful from a social interaction standpoint. I agree that if a person’s health is in jeopardy from a particular facet of their disability, that needs to be addressed. Otherwise, aspects of their disability that are aesthetically are not pleasing or cosmetic adjustments be left alone. Simply because this will give the disabled person a better sense of identity and realism, another social aspect that needs to be addressed is that disabled people are supposed to fit a specific mold that we are supposed to be one type of person.     As I have said in “We Are Not That Different,” disabled people are just that! People first. Because we are all people first, we are all different. We do not fit into a cookie-cutter mold. Some of us are quiet and reserved that enjoy our solitude, while others are outgoing, adventurous, and even a little crazy (in the right way). What am I getting at? Society, and more importantly, the people close to people with disabilities should not restrict their activities because they are disabled. If there is a safe way for someone to (for example) go skydiving without becoming a chalk outline, then, by all means, they should be allowed to go for it. I don’t know how often I get the question, “Wow, you drink beer and go out when you’re disabled? How is that possible?” Let me re-emphasize again; the chair does not define me. I define how I use the chair. All that said, ads on T.V. and social perceptions are not the main problems. They are just part of it. If disabled people want to be seen as “not that different,” there is another issue we need to address.

       In general, the system is broken, and by that, I mean all aspects of the system, in general, are broken. The perception of disability as a weakness is reinforced by ads on T.V., implying that once you are disabled, you can no longer contribute to society. At the same time, social stigmas would have created those ads in general. The disabled community as a whole is oppressed by a society living in an archaic mindset and being oppressed by themselves. They are okay with a social security system that only earns $65 a month without losing their benefits. They should be screaming bloody murder at this injustice, but instead, we sit back and take it. It all comes down to one thing. Change is not easy, but to quote a dear friend of mine who is no longer with us, “There are doers, and there are talkers. Which one are disabled people as a community going to be?”