Ladies and Gentlemen, Molly Burke

We have so much in common! This girl is navigating a world not erected with even a thought toward her needs-- I'm familiar. So the struggle becomes overcompensation for our "shortcomings." My balance struggles are moment to moment. Either my muscles are too stiff or they're too loose. Either I'm walking with all the grace of a marionette without my walker, or I'm losing control of said muscles and falling. Possibly crashing into a wall.

So surprise, I swear a lot. Just because we have a disability doesn't mean we like the challenges it brings. Just because I could say "fluffernutter!" or "son of a mother!" in response to some fresh screw over by the universe-- doesn't mean I'm gonna. It's much more satisfying to fill my imaginary swear jar with imaginary quarters for all the f-bombs and SOBs that have elegantly fallen from my lips.

The thing I love is that Burke finally put into words what I would have loved to be the first to say. Because infantilization and de-sexualization are the universal go to when it comes to dealing with a disabled person. Very rarely are we seen as formidable, respectable, or even normal.

I've been through that. I've dealt with that ignorance for decades. I'm hoping to deal with it for decades to come.  All I would ask is that somebody listen to me about all I go through and all I actually need. And listen. Please listen. To Molly.


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