The View from Where I Sit

Tag: Disability History Month

  • Black Disability History Matters

    It is vital to acknowledge and honor Black Disability History since Black disabled people have made such a paramount impact in leading our community and passing legislation for disability rights. This is where intersectionality plays a big role in the community because the Disability Rights Movement was crossed over and modeled from the Civil Rights Movement.

    Not only were many of these historical disabled Black activists fighting for their civil rights and to just exist peacefully, they were also facing discrimination for their disabilities and facing challenges with access & medical needs. Many of these activists also brought over their wisdom from protesting for the Civil Rights Movement and even being members of the Black Panthers.

    Also, it’s even more important that we honor them because non-disabled people already leave disabled people out of history, much less Black disability history. We know more than anyone we are the marginalized group that is always forgotten about. So do not forget to acknowledge our disabled Black brothers and sisters.

  • Why do you think so many people associate mobility aids with weakness and incompetence?

    Some people see mobility aids as a sign of weakness, that people have given up. Well these people are wrong. I know for me my mobility aids are in fact aids of freedom. Just look at what I have achieved this last year and continue to do. I have and I still am exploring places I never thought possible.

    However, it may indicate dependence not independence.
    Unfortunately because they haven’t been taught better.

    I remember when I was against using an electric wheelchair in college, because it didn’t require me to use my upper body strength. I felt that the college was underestimating my strength. I thought it would make me lazy too. I absolutely love them now!

    It’s been great to have the ability to do so much more now than my body would allow.
    Unfortunately because it’s been the “norm,” and there hasn’t been a lot of awareness to prove otherwise. I always try to change people’s perspectives but there are still people who still don’t understand until it’s explained to them or they see it for themselves.

    This is the one reason I would like to start posting more, but, social media is sometimes not used for the greater good, rather than people just wanting to be “influencers.”
    It’s on because you could technically count glasses as a mobility aid.

    Alternatively, aid and glasses are usually associated with competence or being smart. In other cases, it’s a sign of high intelligence.


    Let’s flip the script and start telling able bodied peole that their legs (or other parts) must be such an obstacle for living a meaningful life.