I write this flabbergasted. Once again my feminist course, this time contemporary theory, shows disability to be something that one tries to avoid or escape, etc.. This time using how a woman who wanted to commit assisted suicide wasn’t facing discrimination because she wasn’t allowed to have someone help her practice individual autonomy with life and death (Majury, 2002. pp. 119-120). There are so many things wrong with this picture I’m just going to stick with my personal reaction and issues here. However, let me just say that the idea of a judge in the Supreme Court of Canada basically telling a disabled person” I do not see any problem with you’re not being able to practice self-determination” (Majury, 2002. pp. 119 [Paraphrased]) is the problem. No matter that I don’t personally agree with the action the plaintiff wanted to take. I am so sick of minorities being asked, “What’s your problem?”
You want to know my problem? I’m tired of people only pointing out my problems as soon as I leave my loving family members. Quite honestly it feels like this world hates people like me. The worst part is a lot of the time I don’t know where this reminder will be coming from.
Consequently, every single day, sometimes every moment, I have to make a choice. Either submit to the BS about my physical circumstances being tragic or inconsequential and lose my soul in depression; or resist with love and joy by connecting to my faith. In this way that plaintiff is not submitting to eugenic ideas about ability but wanting to exercise freedom in self-determination. That person who looks like they want to cry? They aren’t feeling superior to me but showing compassion as my muscles contract in a busy shopping mall.
Finally, this article is allowing me to find motivation to keep fighting the good fight. Don’t get me wrong, I want things to change. What I’m saying is it starts with me, and I cannot do that without what I believe in. That there is someone with me being my strength and my shield (psalms 28:7) in the world that pretends problems stemming from disability discrimination do not exist; causing love and happiness to be the first to die in promising people with different bodies.
Yes, I have a problem with how things are going, but I can be part of the solution. And because of this, I can honestly say that believing in Jesus saves my life because I am still able to love despite everything. Every day, by believing in love conquering the world of hatred through the symbols of the cross and resurrection, I am able to smile. I am able to be the hero of my own story. And hopefully an inspiration to others. Anger turns to compassionate power, thanks be to God, amen.