Disability pride month troubles me (an amputee)

Pride isn't about feeling superior. It's about not feeling ashamed. 🤷

I'm a member of the disability community (cerebral palsy -- a condition I was born with). And I was 26 when the ADA was signed into law (I was one of the people who wrote their senators to urged them to vote for it). To me, "Pride" is not: "Hooray! I am happy that I'm [X]," but: "Dammit! I deserve to be happy, regardless of [X]!" Also: "I will not make myself smaller and quieter, just so you can be more comfortable." Also: I look at "Disability" as surviving a catastrophe that the Universe threw at you, and coming out the other side, changed, but still valuable as a human being. Also: thanks for committing to the bit. If you were to drop the mic, would that be putting your foot down on an important issue? 😏

as a disabled queer, I think it's important to remember that gay pride started as a riot and continued as a protest. It was a way to say "we're here, we're queer, and we're not going to change to be more palatable for society (and give us our rights)" and disability pride may not have started with a riot, but the ADA got passed because of the capital crawl protest. I think both months are about celebrating how far we've come and how far we still need to go, not necessarily about how happy we are

All disabled voices should be heard. Thanks for sharing your voice!

"Disabled pride" doesn't necessarily have to mean "I'm proud to be disabled". It can also mean "I'm a disabled person persevering in an inherently ableist world and I'm proud of that" -I'm sure someone said this

I'm autistic and I have a love/hate relationship with my disability itself, but I love disability pride. I'm struggling with my own life, but I'm so proud of all the other mentally and/or physically disabled people, and proud to be a body and voice supporting accessibility and acceptance ❤️ 💗 💜 💖 💙

Taking the perspective from the LGBT Pride movement, Pride isn't actually about being Proud. It's because Pride is the antithesis of Shame. You should NEVER feel ashamed to be disabled. So, for those who do feel that, Pride is how we counter it. Things that build Pride defeat things that engender shame - acceptance of diverse physical and mental experiences and capabilities, body positivity, affirming language, seeking any euphoric experiences you can discover in your differences - there are lots of activities we can engage in, even alone, to engage in Pride. But together, these are simply more effective. Acceptance, affirmation, positivity, euphoria, these are all both easier to obtain, and more effective weapons against Shame, if we seek them together. I'm disabled, neurodivergent (with multiple flavours!), LGBT and a survivor of trauma, s.harm, and sui. My perspective of Pride has changed over the years, when I was younger it didn't seem relevant to me, then slowly it became important to me for reasons of being supportive as an ally - then when I needed it, it remained. I applaud everyone who makes the time to even so much as mention it, to simply spread the word. Because there is a kid today that heard about it the first time, and will carry the movement through their entire life - and there is no telling if it will one day carry *them*. <3

I just use disability pride month as an excuse to post thirst traps in my wheelchair 🤷‍♀️

I do like disability pride contextualized as pride being the opposite of shame. Like I shouldnt be ashamed thst im unable to work, i shouldnt be ashamed of my inability to live independently. Im also trans and queer, pride for me is firmly an act of protest, its saying i am human, i am deserving, i am worthy. Pride in the context of a marginalized group for me is standing in the faces of people who would rather ignore us and saying we are here.

Disability pride is not about ignoring challenges, it's about acknowledging challenges and facing them honestly. It's about recognizing your worth as a disabled person that is so often stripped away. It's about continuing to fight for equal access. Disability pride is powerful and that's why we celebrate it!

I really REALLY hate that so many people view "negative" emotion as negative mindset. Not only that, but there's a BIG difference between manufacturing fake happiness in order to appease those who judge your "negativity," and slowly "growing" into the practices that support a healthy mindset that CAN help you become genuinely happy.

I'm 63 years old and this is the first year hearing about Disability Pride Month! I've been advocating about disability issues most of my adult life! I'm proud of my accomplishments and who I am. I'm a man that has Cerebral Palsy but that's not who I am. I'm a man that wants to help people and have fun. I never think about my disability but realize I will live the best life I can. I never separate the disabled and the able-bodied world! A friend said this to me many years ago everyone has limitations but for people with physical and or intellectual disabilities they are more obvious. Educating people about disabilities and what needs to be done improve the quality of life for everyone!

I'm proud of who am as an Autistic woman. It's harder to feel "proud of my chronic migraines". But the month encourages me to feel less ashamed of them. The real complication is each disability is so different, even just defining where it ends and we as individuals begin is wildly different depending on the exact situation. My Autism is inherently who I am as a person, my personality, it's a part of my brain. The Migraines? Also part of my brain, but it's a very different relationship- and I feel no love for my condition. But I need to remember it's not my fault, and to take good care of myself- not eat away at myself with the internalized guilt.

I just recently realized that I am disabled (I have PTSD and some hearing loss with tinnitus) and I am slowly coming to terms with it. Thank you for this video. I know my disability is very different from yours but society as a whole has a long way to go to improve both the mindset towards disabled people and accessibility of everyday life. Also, I did not know that July is disability pride month. Edit: I love the foot mic 😂❤

Disability pride to me is being proud of myself and my fellow disabled people for still being here through the good and the bad. No matter how awful it’s gotten, we’ve made it through and we’re still here because we’re strong. No matter how weak we may look to able bodied society, we are strong and will continue to be and that’s something to be proud of.

"It's hard because I'm tired..." YES. 100% feel that.

And being proud of what we can do! Just last week I, a 29 yo disabled woman, texted my mom to say "Guess what I cleaned the bathroom in one go!!" And she was happy for me because she knows the pain and exhaustion it causes.

Im 34 years in paraplegic wheelchair user w/ Spina Bifida today was a crappy day. I need this video! Like you said I am just tired. Im frustrated that we as disabled people are the ones who are left to educate others while we (or at least I) cant even articulate what it even means to be disabled. I've overcome a lot in my life both externally and internally and I know there is more to come. Pride to me is self acceptance.

Disability pride makes me feel conflicted. I sometimes wish I wasn't apart of this community and that my body just worked properly. This community is great and I love the progress that has been made.

To me, disability pride is more about acknowledging the challenges of disability that you have and continue to overcome. Growing up in a society where media denotes our existence to be pitied or condescended rather than celebrating us for our actual achievements, it’s normal to feel like disability is a dirty word. I appreciate your honesty on this and feel much the same!