Seeing (dis)ABILITY

As a disabled person with various bionic parts/aids, I'm more than used to being gawped at, pointed to and whispered about whenever I go out. In most cases it's just well meaning curiosity at seeing something different, which is why I tend to engage and joke with people about it, hopefully making them more comfortable with disability in the future. 

Sadly though there will always be those that are just genuinely rude, ignorant and cruel too. Over the years I've gotten used to being called every derogatory term you can imagine, and many more you can't. As someone who already suffers from low self esteem and anxiety, it can be hard to deal with and often takes a toll on my confidence. But I try not to be dragged down by small minded idiots as I have never let myself be defined by my illness or disabilities. 

However, a recent encounter has left me pretty shaken up. On discovering I had a genetic disorder, some 'charming' numbnut, who knew nothing else about me as a person, merrily informed me that my parents "should have aborted me to keep the human race purer". I'm genuinely gobsmacked and stunned that anybody would even think it's ok to say that to another human.

It's far from easy living with disabilities and an incurable, progressive ticking timebomb inside of me. And I will confess that this incredibly challenging past year has driven me to some very dark places where I've considered how nice it would be to stop the world and get off..... But, at no point have I ever wished I'd never been born. Because despite, and in some cases because of, my situation I've done, seen and achieved some amazing things. Way more than ever imagined or believed possible, and I've still got many more dreams to chase yet too. 

Nobody has the right to make me feel worthless and unwanted. Especially not cruel, ignorant, bigoted, uneducated morons who know nothing about my life, my heart and my soul. Don't judge me on my obvious faults - look beyond the broken parts to truly see me. To see Johanna, the person putting everything into living to the full, not the disability or illness.

I was brought up to treat everyone the same, regardless of their age, ability, race, gender or status. I will treat you with the same respect whether you're serving me in a restaurant or you're a multiple motorsport world champion, so long as you treat me with respect back. I always believed this was normal, but it breaks my heart to see more and more a world that is divided by arrogance, selfishness, bigotry, misinformation and hatred instead. 

I know it sounds terribly naive, but I genuinely long for a world where we can all just get along. A world where differences are understood, embraced and we can respect, learn and grow together, no matter what. 

#BeKind #Together