To be Seen, To Be Heard, To Be Understood
Living as a disabled person with a spinal cord injury can be challenging, but being a Black person with a spinal cord injury (SCI) brings additional difficulties. Healthcare inequality is already prevalent in the Black community, and addressing racial and ethnic disparities in the healthcare system is crucial. Studies show that minorities often receive lower-quality healthcare and have higher death rates than non-minorities. Shockingly, since 2005, 27.1% of all SCIs in the US have occurred in African Americans.
As someone who has experienced SCI, I know how much it can change your life, and the lack of resources and support can be overwhelming. I had a medical background, which helped me understand the medical aspects of my injury, but there were no resources to help me with other challenges, such as finding accessible housing or handling medical bills. Many Black people with SCI are forced to turn to the state for help, which is often inadequate. Accessible housing and vehicles are expensive, and financial classes to help manage finances are not readily available.
Representation and inclusivity matter, and it is crucial to see people who look like us in positions of success and leadership. Unfortunately, the disabled housing options showcased on YouTube rarely feature people of color. This lack of representation is disheartening, and it is essential to recognize that being Black and disabled is not a flaw but something to be celebrated.
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Wesley Hamilton, a friend and fellow gun violence survivor with SCI, also shares his experience of being a Black person with SCI. He notes that societal views of disability often involve someone in a wheelchair, leading to discrimination toward people with SCIs. Being Black and disabled can be a bigger problem because the Black community often lacks empathy and struggles with self-acceptance. Facing discrimination and a lack of resources can be challenging to make it out of extreme poverty and succeed.
It is important to acknowledge these challenges and work towards solutions. We need to address healthcare inequality and promote inclusivity in society. We must provide resources and support to help people with SCIs, particularly black individuals, succeed in their daily lives. Together, we can be part of the solution, not the problem.