It’s no secret people with disabilities get treated differently from the public. I mean, unfortunately, that’s the reality we live in. Do you know in some states, social workers can deny people based on their disability status or other forms of self-identification and expression? It’s almost like people who act like my disability is unfavorable. However, my disability is not unfavorable. It’s part of who I am.
It’s part of my identity. It’s part of what makes me, me. It’s a side of myself I tried so eagerly get rid of, but now I accept it. I stand up for it. Although it might be frustrating, I might cry, I will never apologize for who I am.
And my takeaway from this is to be unapologetically myself even if people don’t like it even if people disapprove.
I’m not a mistake. I’m not a flaw. It’s in my DNA.
I am not less than you. I am enough. I have always been enough. I will never not be enough- and same goes for you.