“…our society is only pro-disability until you scratch the surface…[making] it inevitable that many people with disability become cornered and tired and silenced. From then on, it’s a matter of applying common sense; people who are cornered and tired and silenced are often riddled with self doubt or self hatred. It takes time and a conscious effort of will to overcome those things…Without pride in ourselves we cannot create pride in those around us…Like becoming that person with multiple labels, goals and ambitions, becoming a better society for people with disability is not a one-shot process. It’s going to take a long time and a lot of thought. The first step is to recognise all our contradictions, traumas and mistakes. The second step is to stop hating them.”
- A Journey Towards Pride, Leah Hobson, Ramp Up, 11 June 2014
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I rarely post on any account because I'm paranoid but I've been working real hard on my mental health, overcoming some childhood abuse and trauma, and for the first time in my life making real progress. Really struggling though...(cw current events, heavy emotions)
in the face of how fast things are escalating in the US right now. I’m still 6-12 months away from where I need to be to begin to handle the current moment and watching the events of the last month have been a big setback. Everyone is talking about how to confront and fight ICE, and a few hours processing donations at the local food shelf is just about the limit of my capabilities.
I know where I stand, I know my kind will be coming up soon on the target list and there’s naught I can do but wait for my turn and hope it’s quick. Truly and finally coming to terms with that sucks.
Nonetheless, let it be known to someone, somewhere, that I fought against the ghosts of trauma and abuse in my head, and in the end I clawed back some of the love and life they stole. And the victories tasted sweet.
Your victories are not nothing just because a different foe has entered your life. What you have done is real, what you have done for yourself and others matters.
Thanks for that, I hope you’re right.