The Lessons I Have Learnt Since Becoming Disabled

I have learnt a lot of lessons since becoming disabled. It has been eye opening. Many things, I don’t think I would have believed if I had not have become disabled. Some negative and some positive.

Positive Lessons Learnt Since Becoming Disabled

• The sense of community. Shock horror, disabled strangers smile, nod, or even talk to each other! They are very supportive to each other too. This means so much.
• Life can change in an instant. Disability makes you realise what is important in life.
• How much of a difference a little act of kindness makes, and is appreciated.

Life experience makes you a better person. You have that empathy and understanding from your experience.

• There are some incredible people out there, who make such a difference in our lives, working tirelessly to improve the lives of disabled people and others in need.
• Disabled people have to be very positive and creative, grabbing opportunities and embracing everything that comes their way.
• How determined disabled people are. Disabled people are some of the most determined people I know, they get obstacles put in their path every day. In order to achieve half as much they have often had to put in double the effort, so their achievement is all the greater. Furthermore, some of the achievements of fellow disabled people are pretty incredible.

Disability changes your outlook on life, you may not be able to achieve what you had hoped, but sometimes you can actually achieve more.

• You have to be very patient, organised and persistent to get what you are entitled to and get anywhere. Although, this is difficult these are positive characteristics to have. We become very resilient.
• Disabled people are excellent problem solvers.
• The silver lining- a positive from a negative. Many disabled people end up turning, what so many see as negative into a positive, making a difference in society.

Negative Lessons and Realisations

• How much I feel some of society and the government thinks of disabled people as less important or less worthy. This is even further backed up with things like the disability pay gap. The government could help influence the way society thinks about disabled people.
• How much you have to prove yourself. I suppose this stems from stereotypes or assumptions. Even if there is a culture that you don’t, you kind of still feel you have to prove your capabilities. Even when I get treated equally, the feeling is so strong it is still at the back of my mind.
• How badly disabled people sometimes get treated. Described like objects if in the way for example. “Can you move the wheelchair?”
• The lack of understanding society has about disabled people.

Society often thinks of disabled people as Paralympians or benefit scroungers. Nothing in the middle.

• Society and the environment often disables us more.
• Some of society can be so judgemental.
• How inaccessible public spaces like trains or shops and other people’s houses are. Although, improvements are being made with trains and shops.
• Some people have no clue, but are keen to learn and make their shop/business etc more accessible and inclusive.

You need to be a millionaire to be disabled. It is so expensive.

• Every day is a challenge.
• A lot of equipment you need isn’t provided and if it is, often it is a one size fits all.
• Being tall and a wheelchair user/ needing aids is a nightmare. Manufacturers often only caters up to a certain height.
• Having a disability is not easy for both the individual and their family, whether a child or adult, but having access to the right support and that support being available makes things a lot easier.

How much fighting for what you need there is. And it is need NOT want!

How Can We Solve the Negatives?

With education. Hopefully by writing this blog and people like you reading it, means you now have more of an understanding and insight. Looking at other outlets, like videos and speeches in schools.

Hopefully, education means people are empowered to contribute to positive change, or know better how to deal with situations.

Is there anything you have learnt you didn’t know about but could impact or change in a positive way? Collectively, it all adds up to make an impact.

Hannah x

You may be interested in reading: Being Excluded With A Disability