The Ableist Attitude

*Inspired by a conversation with one my dearest friends from Church…

“There is no greater disability in society, than the inability to see a person as more.” – Robert M. Hensel

Many in society have this double standard when it comes to those with disabilities, and if you add a Christian belief system to the mix it intensifies, telling us we need to accept them while they tare us down. We are often left to feel like outcasts, because we do not fit society’s norms. A work place that is unwelcoming, an event that is inaccessible only intensifies these feelings leaving us to feel isolated. But often we are told we are being coddled, but that’s far from the truth, we just want a chance to prove ourselves.

But a workplace that makes us feel if we are an outcast, an event that we feel like we are not welcomed too, shows us how little respect you have for who we are, and what we bring to the table.

A disability does not make a person less than, if those who were so quick to judge understood what living with a disability entails, they would quickly be humbled, and the truth is anybody could become part of the disability community at anytime. So before you treat a coworker or anyone else for that matter as if they somehow don’t belong because maybe they have to do things a little differently keep in mind, it could be you.

Another common misconception is that somehow those with disabilities need to be “fixed” as if we are somehow broken. We aren’t a piece of broken china, that can be pieced together. What we want is to be given a chance, to be treated as if we matter and we have value, and please stop assuming that just because God doesn’t heal us, that means he does not love us, we grow closer to him in our struggles.

Psalm 119:73–80 NIV

Your hands made me and formed me; give me understanding to learn your commands. [74] May those who fear you rejoice when they see me, for I have put my hope in your word. [75] I know, LORD, that your laws are righteous, and that in faithfulness you have afflicted me. [76] May your unfailing love be my comfort, according to your promise to your servant. [77] Let your compassion come to me that I may live, for your law is my delight. [78] May the arrogant be put to shame for wronging me without cause; but I will meditate on your precepts. [79] May those who fear you turn to me, those who understand your statutes. [80] May I wholeheartedly follow your decrees, that I may not be put to shame.

It’s hard when you walk into a work place, an event, or a public place knowing you are not welcomed, a workplace that makes you feel as if you are an outcast , and there is no reason for it, because when you treat me as if I don’t matter because of my disability, when you gossip behind my back, making me feel worse than I already do, you are only showing your ignorance.

Instead of being so quick to judge me, to make assumptions about me, why don’t you talk to me, get to know me. You will quickly see that I am so much more than my disability, you will see like anybody else I have experienced triumphs and setbacks, I’ve grieved, I have felt both physical and emotional pain. Yes there are days that are harder than others, days when simple tasks can bring me to my knees, but treating me as if I don’t matter doesn’t help.

I maybe kind, but one thing having a disability has taught me is there’s a difference between kindness and condensation. I will not allow you to destroy my worth, my belief system, my very faith. You do not have that kind of power over me, because I am not going to let my self-worth be destroyed by an ableist attitude.

Copyright Michelle R Kidwell

Jan.22.2025