It’s very strange, existing in a world that isn’t built for me. Others don’t walk like me, talk like me, move like me. Sometimes it feels like we don’t even exist on the same plane of reality. This disconnect forms the backdrop against which the concept of disability pride emerges. It’s a complex, often fraught journey of self-acceptance and advocacy in a world that frequently fails to accommodate or understand our experiences.
The journey to disability pride is rarely straightforward, especially for those of us who are neurodivergent. It’s a path marked by self-discovery, challenges, and ultimately, a profound understanding of our unique place in the world. This pride isn’t about glorifying the difficulties we face, but rather about recognizing the strength, resilience, and valuable perspectives that come with our experiences.
For me, disability pride has often been fraught. I was diagnosed as a very young child with both Autism and ADHD. I understood my own struggles with ADHD. But it wasn’t until I left high school that I really “bloomed” in any way in terms of my autism and the issues that come along with that.
Now 27 years old, I look back at my time in high school and see that I was forced to spend time with hundreds of students who didn’t understand why I was so different from them. Like many societal structures, the educational system is often ill-equipped to support those with disabilities. This lack of understanding and accommodation often leads to feelings of isolation, ostracization, and self-doubt. That can make the concept of disability pride seem distant and unattainable. However, life beyond the confines of inflexible educational settings can offer new opportunities for growth and self-acceptance.
Today, I enjoy a much quieter life with my roommate, my partner, and our two cats. We use patience and understanding to work with all of our neurodivergences and make our household a safe space. I find pride in getting to bring that safe space into the world around me when I leave the house with them. I can build a world within a world, where people understand me and can help me translate the needs I have to others. My transition from a challenging school environment to a supportive home life illustrates a crucial aspect of disability pride: the power of creating and cultivating spaces that embrace our needs and strengths. It’s about not just surviving in a world not built for us, but also actively shaping our environment to be more inclusive and accommodating.
The journey to disability pride often involves finding purpose and meaning in our unique experiences. For me, this has taken the form of professional engagement with disability advocacy. I now work as staff for the Council on Developmental Disabilities and get to do fantastic work that has an impact on the lives of other people with developmental disabilities. I love that my lived experiences provide insight that can shape policies, programs, and societal attitudes towards disability. It’s a powerful form of disability pride to use our unique perspectives to advocate for and support others in our community.
As a staff member of the Council, I’ve witnessed firsthand the impact of our work on individuals with developmental disabilities and their families. The Council serves as a vital resource, providing information, advocacy, and support to help people with disabilities lead more independent and fulfilling lives. I love getting to spread the good news about TN Disability Pathfinder and the Council and the reasons why they exist.
Disability pride is about embracing our whole selves, challenges and all. It’s about recognizing our differences are not deficits but diverse ways of experiencing and interacting with the world. As we navigate a world that isn’t always built for us, we have the power to reshape it, to create safe spaces, and to foster understanding. Resources like the Council on Developmental Disabilities (and our newsletter and Breaking Ground magazine!) help provide the support and advocacy needed to build a more inclusive society. By embracing our identities and advocating for our needs, we not only improve our own lives but also pave the way for greater understanding and inclusion in society at large.
However, it’s important to acknowledge that the path to disability pride is not always easy or linear. There are days when the challenges of navigating a world not built for us can feel overwhelming. Stigma, discrimination, and lack of understanding persist in many areas of society. When I talk to someone and rock back and forth to regulate my always-active nervous system, others often don’t really know what to make of it. I’ve been told that it can be off-putting. When I’m the only one doing it, I notice. Yet, it’s exactly these challenges that make disability pride so crucial. It’s an assertion of our right to exist, to be accommodated, and to be valued for who we are, not in spite of our disabilities, but because of the unique perspectives and strengths they bring.
About the Author:
Dirk Strider is the newest staff member for the TN Council on Developmental Disabilities, serving as Communications Coordinator since June. He is a proud self-advocate who can always be seen with a fidget of some kind. He has a passion for connecting people to resources and information related to disability.