Maria,
I have both apparent and nonapparent disabilities. Regarding my nonapparent
disabilities, "hiding what society devalues and considers unwanted" has never
felt like a "privilege" to me, (particularly when that society includes many
in my community of disabled people).
I also don't see the act of disclosing one's nonapparent disability in order
to secure reasonable accommodations as resulting in a "privilege" or a
"crutch". At best, disclosure of nonapparent disabilities can result in
"evening the playing field". At worst, it can result in exposing us to
harassment, ridicule, and shaming, sometimes without ever receiving the needed
accommodations, either in principle or in practice.
This is an interesting topic and I am glad you brought it up. Your efforts to
explore and understand the different ways that disabled people negotiate
access to systems help to explain why these women chose to confide in you
about the ways they deal with their nonapparent disabilities. It seems that
they felt a trust and some commonalities with you and I suspect that as you
continue these dialogues, you will find that you have more in common with
each other's disability experiences than first realized. Best, Sharon Lamp
#
>===== Original Message From Maria <[log in to unmask]> =====
>As we approach the end of course 2004, I find myself pondering a question
your help please.
>
>
>
>As a women with multiple disabilities among others a few invisible
impairments, ( Learning disabilities) I' m privileged to understand the
temptation of wanting to play up or play down the disability card at will. Yet
my (visible) physical disabilities do not allow me to hide these identities,
should I at some point, want to do so.
>
>
>
>In the last few years I have been confronted with a few women who have
confided they have hidden disabilities and that they use the identity of
disability to obtain privileges and hide it when among non-disabled community.
This for some reason seemed wrong and patronizing to me. I could be wrong or
jealous as one of them accused me of being.
>
>
>
> From a feminist stand point, and Independent Living point we claim that we
support choice for all,
>
>>From the feminist stand point I learned that power is the roots of violence
against women. Violence against women begins in a very slow way with conceal
messages from the abusers. As a survivor of institutional violence I
accepted that as confirming my experience
>
>
>
> If in effect violence is about power then what are these individuals
really doing to those of us who do not have the privilege of hiding what
society devalues and considers unwanted?
>
> In a society that is becoming more and more about self-interest, stemming
from the right wings, philosophy.
>
>I'm not suggesting that they are themselves creating act of physical
violence, but they are supporting and maintaining the privilege of a
traditional non tolerant society, where white non-disabled men are the
norm and deserving of privileges.
>
>
>
>Where do those of us who can not, or may not want to hide our physical,
mental difference belong? Are these privileged individuals, in very indirect
way supporting eugenics ideologies?
>
>Or have I completely missed understood the rules for radical ?
>
>Maria
>
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