Made With RA: A Case for Identifying As ‘Disabled’
Could coming out as disabled help you live a freer life with RA? My new column looks at the benefits of identifying as a person with a disability:
“DO YOU CONSIDER yourself disabled?
Our perception of being disabled tends to be limited to needing a mobility aid, such as a wheelchair, and some wonder whether having a chronic illness qualifies. The short answer is yes. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) can affect your ability, such as dexterity in your fingers, your ability to walk, write by hand, wash your hair, and so much more. Disability is defined by functional limitations and if that’s you, even occasionally, you technically may well be disabled. But considering this as your identity, part of who you are, comes with extra hurdles. Disability is highly stigmatized in our culture, often seen as a tragedy. But it doesn’t have to be that way. Identifying yourself as disabled can actually be a big step forward in creating a better life with RA.
I’ve used a power wheelchair since I was 16 years old and for a long time, I didn’t want to see myself as someone who had a disability (despite it being rather obvious). I fought hard to be just like my peers, different only in how we got around, they on legs and me on wheels. It was exhausting to try to be “normal” when my RA affected so much more than simply how I used my legs. I’ve had chronic pain and fatigue all my life and trying to push through these often landed me in bed for weeks with flares.
In pre-Internet times, it was difficult to find others like me, but I connected with an advocacy network, then found others in my city and it was the start of a conversion. I realized that my struggle with keeping up wasn’t about me failing. It’s actually a common experience among people who manage chronic health conditions and the challenge of being disabled in an able-bodied world. The more I read and spoke to others in this community, the more I realized that many of my problems were due to ableist structures and policies that made it harder for me to participate. This was a major building block in me embracing a disabled identity and celebrating who I am. All these years later, I am still learning and growing, dismantling my own internalized ableism and advocating for inclusion.”
Read my column on how a disabled identity can help you live better with RA on HealthCentral.
Tag: .disability, chronic illness, chronic pain, disabled, disabled identity, identity, rheumatoid arthritis
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I am not disabled, in my mind, I am still 18 and stand straight and walk with an easy gate. Unfortunately in everyone else’s mind, I am disabled. I suppose therefore I am not either disabled or not disabled. I am a person who has RA which makes me not especially able or disabled.
I will take whatever others make of it. Today I parked in a disabled space to go into a restaurant. As I walked out with friends one asked where I was parked. I wanted to go back in and not admit where I had parked.
One of the men said RIck are you disabled? Yes, I replied, today I am disabled, and tomorrow I hope I feel well enough to park on the last row. I did not look at his face. I assume he thought I was a lunatic. Well, that is OK, I will take that. It’s better than being forgotten.