Privilege in Disability Pride
During Disability Pride Month, we come together to honor the past, accomplishments, stories, and challenges faced by disabled people. I genuinely appreciate this month as it allows disabled people to enlighten the world about our significance in society and the need to normalize disability. When I first learn about Disability Pride Month, it brought immense joy, as it validated my identity and made me feel truly acknowledged.
However, it is important to acknowledge that having this pride is a privilege. Not every disabled person experiences are to be loud and proud about their disability, despite what may be assumed when hearing "Disability Pride". It is a privilege to have pride in one's disability as it signifies being able to find positive experiences amidst the challenges.
I can honestly acknowledge that being disabled is a difficult reality regardless of my confidence and my positive outlook on it. There are days that it can be challenging, I mean so challenging that you wonder why God or the Universe made you disabled. There are times you wonder how life would be if you were able-bodied. Would you be more respected? Given more opportunities or an actual chance without having to fight for it? Able to access more resources? Have true friends and support from family? Have an interesting yet successful love life? Not be in so much pain or get sick often? There are times you question your self-worth, your desirability, your capabilities, and your whole life.
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The disability community is made up of individuals from diverse backgrounds and cultures, which means that disabled people may face additional challenges beyond ableism. This includes experiences such as racism for Black disabled people, homophobia, biphobia, transphobia for queer disabled people, and sexism for disabled women. When you already have to navigate through issues that make it harder to thrive in society, adding ableism to the mix can lead some disabled people to feel less positive about their disability. This is because they are now confronting even more obstacles and difficulties due to their identity.
Many disabled people frequently encounter these experiences, but they often go unnoticed as able-bodied people do not allow us the opportunity to openly express our negative emotions regarding our disability. We are instructed to simply "be confident" and "stay positive," as if those two attitudes alone will solve the deep-rooted issue of ableism that generates these negative feelings. In society, we prefer to attribute the blame on the person for their negative self-perception and life circumstances, while we avoid acknowledging the long-standing damages inflicted by societal issues.
Although it is important to take pride in being disabled and promote its acceptance, it is equally important to acknowledge and include disabled people who may not feel proud of their disability. Some may struggle to find comfort in their identity and some may never fully embrace it. Therefore, we must create a supportive environment that validates their feelings and assures them that it is acceptable to have such emotions. Their experiences are just as valid as those who have a positive outlook on their disabled lives.
As we are celebrating Disability Pride, let’s remember that there is a privilege in having disability pride.