Hi.

My name's Kristina.

I'm 14 years old, and I'm from Liverpool.

I have Aspergers Syndrome, an Autistic Spectrum Disorder.

I am Asthmatic.

I have Eczema.

I am short sighted.

I am extremely allergic to house dust mites.

I get hayfever.

I suffer from chest and stomach migraines.

I am currently on a few different kinds of medication.

My Sister is Dyslexic, Dyspraxic, and has Irlens Syndrome.

My Mum is also Dyslexic, and suffers with severe Psoriatic Arthritis and Sciatica, among other things. She also has Irlens Syndrome. She occasionally uses an electric wheelchair. She is a manager working in Supported accomodation and Ex Co-Chairperson of the Merseyside Coalition for Inclusive Living [MCIL].

My Nan is Dyslexic with Irlens Syndrome, and before he passed away, my Grandad suffered with severe Asthma and Heart conditions.

My best friend is a Dyslexic girl with Irlens Syndrome, ADHD, Autism, and many other so-called "Disabilities".

Laurence Clark is one of my favourite comedians, as well as a family friend, and I was lucky enough to get to see the Preview of the show he is currently touring with "12% Evil", which he finished writing the night before we saw it. (It's excellent, by the way!) I am also an avid fan of the DADA fest, and went to see the Nasty Girls' Production "A Nasty Night Out" last year. It was INCREDIBLE. I think the best part of these kind of shows has to be the people that aren't sure weather or not to laugh! They think it's funny, but at the same time. they think "We can't laugh at them! They're disabled!" Thankfully, they tend to get used to it (or it'd be a pretty big bummer for your average disabled Comedian).

As you may have guessed, I was brought up surronded by disability, and fo me it is definately just one of those things that are very much the "Norm".

Hence, as you may also have guessed, I have a very different viewpoint on it than most people.

Going through the section on Disability in this forum has left me nothing short of aghast, because with regards to the way people refer to disabled people, particularly people with conditions similar to my own, I have lead very much a sheltered life.

Quite frankly, I am EXTREMELY shocked at the way people refer to - and appear to actually VIEW - the Disabled community.

"Developmentally Delayed Children"

"Do you believe people should receive free gov. benefits?"

"I have had the honor to actually interact with them and understand them"

"All people who are disabled, my sympathy and prayers are with you"

"Worst thing that could ever happen to anyone. I too believe they are sent down by god as a sign.

My prayers are with all the Disabled children. It sometimes makes you cry thinking about their future."

"mental retardation."

"Its so sad people have to put up with this."

"Autism is a part of a spectrum of special education."

"early intervertion."

"this illness."

"whoever works with children like that is awesome."

The above are all quotes taken from this forum. I am not saying that any of the above quotes are deliberately written with intention to discriminate. Nor am I writing this in an attempt to accuse or attack the people who said these things. I posted these to show my shock at how uneducated the general public seems to be on the topic of disability (in my opinion). Some of the posters are people speaking from personal experience of being, knowing, or working with a disabled person.

I am posting this in an attempt to say that regardless of what you think you already know or have experienced...

Disability is not necessarily a BAD thing. (Despite the unfortunate name.)

People with disabilities are not "special" they are no more difficult to work with than your average person, they are not "retarded" - an extremely disablist word which has wormed it's way into modern culture, and is currently used en masse by millions of people who simply are not aware of it's background.

Next time any of you are about to use the word "retard" or a word containing it, or the words "spazz" or "mong" for that matter, think of them in likeness to the "N" word in relation to the Black community and then... Don't say it!

Disability is not a scourge, some deadly disease or illness that must be squashed, or something with which you should feel compelled to intervene. In many cases, it has shown to be very enabling, with members of the Disabled community going above and beyond what any "normal" person would be considered to be realistically capable of.

Most disabled people do not want sympathy for the way they are, and many embrace themselves and their medical condition, whatever it may be, and get on with their lives. They don't see it as something to put up with, and it's often no different to communicate with a disabled person as it is with any member of the so-called "non-disabled" community.

The vast majority of disabled people live very fulfilling lives, regardless of whatever people think is "wrong" with them. Being disabled or Autistic is certainly not the worst thing that could ever happen to someone.

The disability is often never the problem. It is the reaction of those around you to that disability that can cause emotional and physical damage.

I hope I did not cause offence to anyone here in this message, or come off as though criticizing your remarks or opinions, and I really hope that after reading this topic you no longer see disability as necessarily a bad thing - I hope even more that you never saw it as a bad thing anyway!

I guess that's it from me, and I'm always open to anyone else's opinion on the Public's view of disabled people, and if anyone disagrees with me or wants to say anything about my opinion or anything I've said, get back to me and I'll be sure to reply.

Hi,


I work in an organitazion that help children that have disabilities...They are sweet and love me like a brother..they have always smile on their face and I love to make they happy...They are people that really love the others..

rawrzilla,

Thank you for your helpful and informative posting.
It acts as a reminder that the Human condition should be viewed from a relative perspective, and that the 'labels' we place on others should be carefully considered before we place them.

Indeed, there is a need for the message you offer to be promoted, and feel free to continue your efforts on this Forum.

hi
thanx for the very helpful and informative posting
many of us can a lesson from it.
its a sign towards positivity in life......