I’m Tired of Being an Activist Out of Necessity

cozyplants

Being disabled forces us to see inequality. It forces us to see inequality because, so often, we are on the receiving end of it. And so often, we have to advocate for our fundamental rights: healthcare, safety, respect, and life. We become activists speaking up for the rights of disabled people - campaigning, complaining, and sometimes just existing as an act of resistance as we live in a world so often trying to segregate us, neglect us, and take away our rights. 

It's exhausting.

It's exhausting navigating a world that's not designed for me and is often desperately shying away from accessibility. It's exhausting playing the role of 'the good disabled person' - someone who doesn't complain, is an 'inspiration', isn't angry or sad, and fits into what the world expects of me. It's exhausting fighting against systems that would like me not to be seen, heard, or to be here.

I became an activist out of necessity. Out of fear. Out of anger. Out of a need to survive. 
What is most difficult to come to terms with is that I know I'm not the only one.

Steve_in_The_City

@cozyplants You are so right. Don't let the system get you down. Just truck on and all is well in the end.

gogigi

Me too 

Audinut70

Steve_in_The_City said:

@cozyplants You are so right. Don't let the system get you down. Just truck on and all is well in the end.

I really wish that was the case. My last 2 assessments have ended with me fighting to prove my case. They closed my claim. My claim expires in July, and I'm already anxious about getting the assessment/review forms, and that is 'if' I get them. I contacted them to ask if I would need to make a new claim, or if it would be another assessment/review, and they just told me to wait until the end of may.
 I suppose this comment is correct in the sense things came good in the end, but at a much higher cost (mental health/fatigue) than should be necessary.

Rosie_Scope

Hi @cozyplants, thanks for sharing your thoughts. It is exhausting and frustrating that all this work is still necessary in this day and age.

I don't have any particular advice to share, but I hope the community offers some comfort and solidarity. Sounds cheesy, but we are always stronger together