Oh, how those comments sting! What a fighter you are seeking and working out a more genuine way of living. Your positive outlook is ringing in my ears.
Great read! I reflected on how it might have been for a man I shared my life with for 20 years, who had half a hand…. He had a grip with half a thumb and half a palm, so there wasn’t actually much of an impact in terms of what he could do….. but I probably really underestimated how it had made him feel at times. He appeared to be a happy , confident person but looking back I realise there was anxiety too, anxiety that I might have belittled….. He didn’t talk about it that much, and never to others. He did say occasionally that he thought he might not be attractive to anyone else except me, which was a complication we could probably both have done without….... so talking about ableism is wonderful I think……. a gift to others as well as yourself….. Thank you.
Nadia, this comment means so much to me. Thank you for your reflection and your honesty. I really don’t think avoidance helps anyone, so you (& I and all of us!) beginning to think about these things is the real gift. Thank you! ❤️
Anni, your writing is so beautifully communicative! I remember that moment in Ulta, it was as revealing to me as it was relieving to you. I love hearing about your internal experiences as they begin to become more open. Love you forever and always
Oh, how those comments sting! What a fighter you are seeking and working out a more genuine way of living. Your positive outlook is ringing in my ears.
Becky, thank you for reading and for your kind words. ❤️
Great read! I reflected on how it might have been for a man I shared my life with for 20 years, who had half a hand…. He had a grip with half a thumb and half a palm, so there wasn’t actually much of an impact in terms of what he could do….. but I probably really underestimated how it had made him feel at times. He appeared to be a happy , confident person but looking back I realise there was anxiety too, anxiety that I might have belittled….. He didn’t talk about it that much, and never to others. He did say occasionally that he thought he might not be attractive to anyone else except me, which was a complication we could probably both have done without….... so talking about ableism is wonderful I think……. a gift to others as well as yourself….. Thank you.
Nadia, this comment means so much to me. Thank you for your reflection and your honesty. I really don’t think avoidance helps anyone, so you (& I and all of us!) beginning to think about these things is the real gift. Thank you! ❤️
👏👏 👏 so, so well-written and thought-provoking
Anni, your writing is so beautifully communicative! I remember that moment in Ulta, it was as revealing to me as it was relieving to you. I love hearing about your internal experiences as they begin to become more open. Love you forever and always
thank you Annika....I learned a lot from reading this, about you, about ableism, about being human!