Overcoming: Stories of People with Disabilities

[Useless Eaters]

Ok. I don't want to play the ""Supercrip" imagery, but with the general attitude that people with disabilities are supposed "less than", plus the rampant discrimination against us in terms of jobs, housing, etc., I thoroughly it was important for people with disabilities and "normal" people to hear stories of how people with disabilities overcoming the odds. As a group, I believe firmly that we are more determined and driven then ordinary people. So let's hear the stories!
So what challenges did you face? How did you overcoming them?

PS. I know that my flag might be offensive to some within the disability community. I purposely selected that image, both to protest the ableism and trolling of persons with disabilities, and paradoxically to take an image used to disrespect us and denigrate us, and say " Yes, we are strong and powerful, and we WILL OVERCOME you, by any means necessary!". I take pride in being disabled, and I wouldn't want to be "normal".

[Linux and the X]

Why must one overcome disability, exactly?

[Conserative Morality]

Dunno, it seems like disabilities are just that: disabilities. If I were without legs, I think I should prefer to be with legs, for a somewhat extreme amputee example. Sometimes problems are just that: problems. While individuals who are strong enough to overcome such disadvantages may come out stronger for it, it's just as often an extreme barrier to achieving the quality of life one might otherwise be able to achieve.

[Bahanesia]

.. plus the rampant discrimination against us in terms of jobs, housing, etc., ...

Wouldn't necessarily call it discrimination. Just that people with disabilities suffer from physical/mental deficiencies that could incapacitate their performance in the workplace.

Although the US states that employers cannot exclude individuals based on handicap worries, employers are generally more serving to hire a normal-bodied individual over a person with disabilities.

I don't really notice any societal uproar or strong prejudice against handicap-ness amongst contemporary society.

[The Second Coming]

.. plus the rampant discrimination against us in terms of jobs, housing, etc., ...

Wouldn't necessarily call it discrimination. Just that people with disabilities suffer from physical/mental deficiencies that could incapacitate their performance in the workplace.

Although the US states that employers cannot exclude individuals based on handicap worries, employers are generally more serving to hire a normal-bodied individual over a person with disabilities.

I don't really notice any societal uproar or strong prejudice against handicap-ness amongst contemporary society.

[Nailed to the Perch]

.. plus the rampant discrimination against us in terms of jobs, housing, etc., ...

I don't really notice any societal uproar or strong prejudice against handicap-ness amongst contemporary society.

Out of curiosity, are you yourself visibly disabled? Because if not, well, I mean, duh. Very few people notice things that aren't happening to them. As a white person, I very rarely personally experience racism, but that definitely doesn't mean racism no longer exists.

Speaking from my own experience, I spent a decent chunk of last year in a wheelchair, and was frankly astounded by how differently people treated me when I was in the chair. Every single day, people would quite obviously avoid looking at me or coming near me as if they were going to catch wheelchair-cooties. When they did talk to me, as often as not, they spoke to me in ways that were profoundly patronizing - many people apparently believe, on some level, that if your legs don't work right your brain must not, either. On top of that, the sheer number of places that I discovered were not nearly as "wheelchair accessible" as they claimed due to poor layouts was huge; during my time in the chair I lost access to most of the stores I normally shop at because they featured random steps up or down or aisles too narrow to move through. The whole experience was, in fact, pretty awful and depressing - and until I had to sit in the chair myself, I had no idea that many other people in wheelchairs were going through all that on a regular basis. It was a heck of a learning experience, and not one I'd care to repeat.

[Bahanesia]

I don't really notice any societal uproar or strong prejudice against handicap-ness amongst contemporary society.

Out of curiosity, are you yourself visibly disabled? Because if not, well, I mean, duh. Very few people notice things that aren't happening to them. As a white person, I very rarely personally experience racism, but that definitely doesn't mean racism no longer exists.

Speaking from my own experience, I spent a decent chunk of last year in a wheelchair, and was frankly astounded by how differently people treated me when I was in the chair. Every single day, people would quite obviously avoid looking at me or coming near me as if they were going to catch wheelchair-cooties. When they did talk to me, as often as not, they spoke to me in ways that were profoundly patronizing - many people apparently believe, on some level, that if your legs don't work right your brain must not, either. On top of that, the sheer number of places that I discovered were not nearly as "wheelchair accessible" as they claimed due to poor layouts was huge; during my time in the chair I lost access to most of the stores I normally shop at because they featured random steps up or down or aisles too narrow to move through. The whole experience was, in fact, pretty awful and depressing - and until I had to sit in the chair myself, I had no idea that many other people in wheelchairs were going through all that on a regular basis. It was a heck of a learning experience, and not one I'd care to repeat.

A few yrs. ago (I'm guessing 2008), I was in a car accident and was treated at a hospital for my injuries. I ended up in a wheelchair while my treatment continued at every interval of my regular hospital visits. That being said, I never felt any form of discrimination nor prejudice when I was stunted in a wheelchair for 2 months.

I think its more of a personal, emotional issue that your discussing. The OP was regarding discrimination in a societal-level, not the emotional feelings of the disabled in comparison with the rest of society, if I read correctly.

[Circasia]

My little brother once had a disability. But then my mother had an abortion.

[Nazi Flower Power]

As a group, I believe firmly that we are more determined and driven then ordinary people.

I think everyone has that drive in them. Disabled people just need to use it more because of the challenges in their life. This is why people who become disabled as the result of an accident can learn to cope just as well as someone who was always disabled -- because that inner strength was always there under the surface. People who face other types of challenges such as poverty or a traumatic event go through the same process of finding the will to fight their way through it.

I purposely selected that image, both to protest the ableism and trolling of persons with disabilities, and paradoxically to take an image used to disrespect us and denigrate us, and say " Yes, we are strong and powerful, and we WILL OVERCOME you, by any means necessary!". I take pride in being disabled, and I wouldn't want to be "normal".

Life shouldn't be a competition between you and us. Overcoming your disability is great, but I'm not sure if it's really healthy to think in terms of overcoming PEOPLE. Competition between people is one of the reasons that ableism exists in the first place. People in a competitive mindset want to be able to say, "I'm better than them," and disabled people are an easy target for that kind of thing. If you take a less competitive attitude toward life, then you don't that need to say who is better than who.

[Nazi Flower Power]

Speaking from my own experience, I spent a decent chunk of last year in a wheelchair, and was frankly astounded by how differently people treated me when I was in the chair. Every single day, people would quite obviously avoid looking at me or coming near me as if they were going to catch wheelchair-cooties.

I think sometimes people do that because they can't help noticing you -- people in wheelchairs do stand out in a crowd just because it's not that common -- but then they are trying not to stare because they know it is rude to stare.

When they did talk to me, as often as not, they spoke to me in ways that were profoundly patronizing - many people apparently believe, on some level, that if your legs don't work right your brain must not, either. On top of that, the sheer number of places that I discovered were not nearly as "wheelchair accessible" as they claimed due to poor layouts was huge; during my time in the chair I lost access to most of the stores I normally shop at because they featured random steps up or down or aisles too narrow to move through. The whole experience was, in fact, pretty awful and depressing - and until I had to sit in the chair myself, I had no idea that many other people in wheelchairs were going through all that on a regular basis. It was a heck of a learning experience, and not one I'd care to repeat.

I can believe it. In college, I volunteered as a scribe to help disabled students take written tests if their disabilities prevented them from writing legibly. There was one girl in a wheelchair who told me that she couldn't take a philosophy course that she was interested in because the classroom was on the 2nd floor of a building that was not handicapped-accessible. It's a shame because she was a good student.

[Zweite Alaje]

Oh god, not another one of these threads. Look, it all depends on the disability and the severity as to whether you can still function as a "normal" member of the community. Sometimes though, a disability just gets the better of the individual and they're not capable of the same things.

[Nazi Flower Power]

Oh god, not another one of these threads. Look, it all depends on the disability and the severity as to whether you can still function as a "normal" member of the community. Sometimes though, a disability just gets the better of the individual and they're not capable of the same things.

A good point.

The people who come on NSG to express their opinions are going to be the ones with less debilitating conditions. If someone has profound mental retardation, or whatever the current PC term for such a condition is, they're not going to be smart enough to write a post about their experience.

[Useless Eaters]

Oh god, not another one of these threads. Look, it all depends on the disability and the severity as to whether you can still function as a "normal" member of the community. Sometimes though, a disability just gets the better of the individual and they're not capable of the same things.

A good point.

The people who come on NSG to express their opinions are going to be the ones with less debilitating conditions. If someone has profound mental retardation, or whatever the current PC term for such a condition is, they're not going to be smart enough to write a post about their experience.

I just thought I would post something about discrimination, especially in employment. I did as an essay

It’s been twenty three years since the Americans with Disability Act was passed. The Act was supposed to give people with disabilities an equal shake at the job market, to increase the numbers of people with disabilities with jobs. But, tragically, it hasn’t. The unemployment is signicantly higher for people with disabilities, and stood at 13.7% versus the rate of unemployment for non-disabled a person which stands at 8.3% ("Office of disability," n. d.). This is the result of systematic discrimination that has been committed against people with disabilities, effectively locking large numbers out of the job market. This is supposed to be a land of opportunity, but it seems it’s only a land of opportunity if you a non-disabled person. Despite the passing of the Americans with Disabilities Act, employers still discriminate against workers with disabilities. In examining the reasons for this discrimination, I will look at top three reasons for non-disabled people being reluctant to hire people with disabilities: reluctance to hire because they are afraid the cost of modifications will be too high, the employer is not aware of how to deal with a person with disabilities and their modifications, they are apprehensive about hiring people with disabilities, because they are concerned they will be sued if they are fired (Kaye, Jones, & Jans, n.d.).
The apprehension of employers towards modifications is uncalled for. Most modifications are easily done, and don’t cost the employer much. For instance, people that have visual disabilities may need need things that talk, like a talking calculator, Other things that helpful for people with visual disabilities are magnifying devices, and giving oral instructions (Reasonable Accommodations", n.d.). Besides, the government is very helpful in assisting in paying for accommodations. The employer can write off 50% of any accommodations or modifications they make to the environment. This can be up to $10,000 mark ("Disability Employment 101: Appendix III", n.d.). So employers don’t need to be afraid of making modifications of the work environment
The second reason employers are reluctant to hire persons with disabilities are there aversion to dealing with the needs of a person with disabilities, in terms of modifications of the work environment and possible needs they may have. The first thing that must be noted is that the modifications for people with disabilities are usually minor. Modifications can be anything from making clear hallways for someone with visual disabilities, to making changes in equipment for people with disabilities who use wheelchairs ("Disability Employment 101: Appendix III", n.d.). Workers with disabilities may need small changes to their environment, but these changes are minor. The employer will usually not find that the cost is a great deal of money.
Still another reason why employers often don’t hire people with disabilities is their concern that they will be sued if they are forced to fire a worker. First off, people with disabilities are pretty impoverished. The average income of someone living on Social Security Income is $500. It would be hard to hire a lawyer, and pay for legal fees when you only have $500 a month to live on. In short, although the Americans with Disabilities Act have opened the door to lawsuits, it’s no guarantee that an individual is likely to win against an employer or company with deep resources and access to the best lawyers.
The American with Disabilities Act was supposed to open the door for people with disabilities to get jobs. Yet, it has not. People with disabilities still often cannot get hired, despite the passing of the Americans with Disabilities Act in 1990. It is been twenty three years, and the promise of the American with Disabilities Act goes largely unfilled. The Declaration of Independence says that we have the “that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness (The Declaration of Independence Quotes, n.d.). We are not treated equally and we do not have the right to pursuit happiness. We do not have the right to pursuit happiness; because the income of having a job and the pride it gives a person is denied us. This country has failed its citizens, and made the words of the Declaration of Independence a lie. America should hang her in head in abject shame over the hypocrisy that after twenty three years that the Americans with Disability Act has not improved our lot in life, especially in terms of employment. But we will struggle until the words of the Declaration of Independence are applicable to all people, including people with disabilities. The struggle continues on, and we will not be satisfied until we are truly equal, including in employment. No force on earth can keep us away from it, for with our last breathe; we will continue to struggle on. This I know, that as long as there is I have breathe in my body, I will never give up on the task of making us equal and ending all forms of discrimination against people with disabilities. As our forebears said so famously, “Give us Liberty or give us death” (Henry, n.d.), I repeat it as well. They will either set me free to pursue my life, or they will take it. There is no other choice.





References
Disability Employment 101: Appendix III. (n.d.). U.S. Department of Education.
Henry, P. (n.d.). Patrick Henry Quotes - BrainyQuote. Famous Quotes at BrainyQuote. Retrieved from http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/autho ... henry.html
Kaye, S. H., Jones, E. C., & Jans, L. H. (n.d.). Home - Springer. Home - Springer. Retrieved from http://www.link.springer.com/article/10 ... 2-8#page-1
Office of disability employment policy . (n.d.). Retrieved from www.dol.gov/odep
Reasonable Accommodations. (n.d.). California State University, Northridge. Retrieved from http://www.csun.edu/~sp20558/dis/reasonable.html
The Declaration of Independence Quotes. (n.d.). The Declaration of Independence Quotes By Thomas Jefferson. Retrieved February 5, 2013, from www.goodreads.com/work/quotes/2893196-t ... dependence

[Useless Eaters]

I don't really notice any societal uproar or strong prejudice against handicap-ness amongst contemporary society.

Out of curiosity, are you yourself visibly disabled? Because if not, well, I mean, duh. Very few people notice things that aren't happening to them. As a white person, I very rarely personally experience racism, but that definitely doesn't mean racism no longer exists.

Speaking from my own experience, I spent a decent chunk of last year in a wheelchair, and was frankly astounded by how differently people treated me when I was in the chair. Every single day, people would quite obviously avoid looking at me or coming near me as if they were going to catch wheelchair-cooties. When they did talk to me, as often as not, they spoke to me in ways that were profoundly patronizing - many people apparently believe, on some level, that if your legs don't work right your brain must not, either. On top of that, the sheer number of places that I discovered were not nearly as "wheelchair accessible" as they claimed due to poor layouts was huge; during my time in the chair I lost access to most of the stores I normally shop at because they featured random steps up or down or aisles too narrow to move through. The whole experience was, in fact, pretty awful and depressing - and until I had to sit in the chair myself, I had no idea that many other people in wheelchairs were going through all that on a regular basis. It was a heck of a learning experience, and not one I'd care to repeat.

Nope. I look "normal" (whatever the hell that is. Are we abnormal?) I have MS, a stroke four months ago, a mental illness ( Schizoaffective Disrorder & Obseesive-Compulsive Disorder), grew up in Special Ed from first to eleventh grade. Does that make me disabled? So many people judge based on appearance. As for discrimination, it exists in employment (see other post I made) and as for housing, well, all the subsidized housing is in places like Detroit, Pontiac, etc. So we get ghettoized in rough, urban were more often then not were victims of crime. Not the suburbs, oh no. Thtas for people that have Allmighty Dollar.

[GHAUNADAUR]

well, I can say I have two boys with Autism. They are both one alternate sides of the spectrum as well in comparison to severity. When My oldest was diagnosed he was non verbal and a close in with multiple sensory of physical issues. Today he is a third degree black belt and honor student. There are still times when sensory and emotional overload is witnessed, but it is a far cry from the doctors very doomed diagnosis of a person who will be institutionalized.

My youngest though is much more sever and will be five soon. He still exhibits many of the low end symptoms such as no speech, food sensory, touch sensory, and sound sensory. He also has issues with leaning much of the basics and his mind would be considered that of a one year old. Yet that's what doctors say. They dont see the light in his eyes when he smiles.. or the joy in the sound of his laughter... or the awareness he shows to new things.

So yes my boys have overcome on different levels.. but in a way.. they need to be able to overcome everyday if they were forced to live within the standards and or boxes we as a society build.

[Neo Art]

oh christ, you're back again?

Copy/paste spam is still copy/paste spam.

[The Emerald Dawn]

I don't really notice any societal uproar or strong prejudice against handicap-ness amongst contemporary society.

Out of curiosity, are you yourself visibly disabled? Because if not, well, I mean, duh. Very few people notice things that aren't happening to them. As a white person, I very rarely personally experience racism, but that definitely doesn't mean racism no longer exists.

Speaking from my own experience, I spent a decent chunk of last year in a wheelchair, and was frankly astounded by how differently people treated me when I was in the chair. Every single day, people would quite obviously avoid looking at me or coming near me as if they were going to catch wheelchair-cooties. When they did talk to me, as often as not, they spoke to me in ways that were profoundly patronizing - many people apparently believe, on some level, that if your legs don't work right your brain must not, either. On top of that, the sheer number of places that I discovered were not nearly as "wheelchair accessible" as they claimed due to poor layouts was huge; during my time in the chair I lost access to most of the stores I normally shop at because they featured random steps up or down or aisles too narrow to move through. The whole experience was, in fact, pretty awful and depressing - and until I had to sit in the chair myself, I had no idea that many other people in wheelchairs were going through all that on a regular basis. It was a heck of a learning experience, and not one I'd care to repeat.

Welcome to my world.

Tack on to this the speech issue I have (speaking with an accent) and I spend my life being treated either as persona non grata or a fucking invalid.

Here's a hint to everyone who deals with people in wheelchairs: Ask. Ask if we want help. Ask if we could use assistance.

[Useless Eaters]

oh christ, you're back again?

Copy/paste spam is still copy/paste spam.

Please note: It's not copy/paste.I WROTE it. Second thing, since you don't apparently appreciate what I wrote, please do me the courtesty of NOT responding to this message. If you respond, then I will take it that besides being very rude, you're obviously trollijng me. Please do not respond to ANY thread I start henceforth. I WILL report it to the Mods if you do, and if you answer in an uncivil tounge.

[Neo Art]

, since you don't apparently appreciate what I wrote, please do me the courtesty of NOT responding to this message. If you respond, then I will take it that besides being very rude, you're obviously trollijng me. Please do not respond to ANY thread I start henceforth. I WILL report it to the Mods if you do, and if you answer in an uncivil tounge.

You have already been informed. Thread ownership is not allowed on NSG. You can not tell me to not post in a thread, and there's no rule that allows you to do so, or supports your position that merely posting in a thread on NSG is in any way against anything.

Incidentally, threatening to report perfectly permissable behavior is actually against the rules, for using moderators as weapons.

I will speak in whatever thread I please, and as long as I remain on topic, and avoid violating existing rules there is absolutely nothing in the rule set that prevents me from doing so.

[GHAUNADAUR]

Let us all be civil. I actually am appreciative of the concept behind the thread and would like to see it continue.

PS. Happy Monday

[Benomia]

Wouldn't necessarily call it discrimination. Just that people with disabilities suffer from physical/mental deficiencies that could incapacitate their performance in the workplace.

Although the US states that employers cannot exclude individuals based on handicap worries, employers are generally more serving to hire a normal-bodied individual over a person with disabilities.

I don't really notice any societal uproar or strong prejudice against handicap-ness amongst contemporary society.

[Useless Eaters]

Let us all be civil. I actually am appreciative of the concept behind the thread and would like to see it continue.

PS. Happy Monday

I hope it will too. Some people..well, there rude and apparently, they can't read a simple essay, ands they can't offer any criticism of it.

But, really, I'm trying to raise awareness of the inequalities. I'm for a peaceful solution, but if not..well, let's just say the way I see it is if they won't do the right thing for the right reasons, then perhaps active, armed resistance is the answer. But I won't accept the situation as it is now. Noi way, no how. People think we'll keep putting up with the bullshit, and always be nice about it. I thinkj we got to show them that were adults, grown men and women, and we'll die on our feet then live on our knees. Hopefully, that won't be necessary.

[Useless Eaters]

Really? Huh. Are you disabled?

[Benomia]

Let us all be civil. I actually am appreciative of the concept behind the thread and would like to see it continue.

PS. Happy Monday

I hope it will too. Some people..well, there rude and apparently, they can't read a simple essay, ands they can't offer any criticism of it

NSG at a glance

Person makes serious thread and wants to get a debate going. The following posts are made:

*Something completely unrelated*
*Something that is vaguely related, but not enough to start a debate*
*IMPEACH OBAMA*

The OP then gets mad because he doesn't understand how NSG works.

[Benomia]

Really? Huh. Are you disabled?

Nope. Although that's hardly relevant.