Different But Equally Valid

This quote come from an article in a book called "The Ragged Edge: The Disability Experience from the Pages of the First Fifteen years of the Disability Rag". The "Disability Rag" which chronicled the early years of the disability rights movement. When I was reading this book I was moved to tears, anger and disgust in reading about what people with disabilities have been through for hundreds of years. It also inspired me to read about all the hero's in the movement who paved the way for the Americans with Disabilities Act. We still have a long way to go but it's good to know that there are other's out there who have fought and will continue to fight for equality in the future, and I hope to be one of those people. Anyways, I came across some amazing quotes in this book and I wanted to document them here in my blog. The first one is about diversity.

"If we've learned anything from other oppressed minorities it's that you gain nothing from efforts to assimilate into the culture that devalues you. We will never be equal if we accept token acceptance as slightly damaged AB's (Able-bodied people). Politically and psychologically our power will come from celebrating who we are as a distinct people. I'm not content being a pale version of the majority culture. I want to be a strong version of something else-different but equally valid."


I've always tried to fit in with the able-bodied people around me, mean while I was miserable. The minute that I accepted my disability for what it was and how it affects me, the easier my life suddely became. And now that I'm learning about my disability history and culture I don't feel so alone anymore. My feelings are becoming validated from others who have been in my shoes. I am different but I'm am definitely not a broken version of an able-bodied person. I am a strong version of someone with Muscular Dystrophy. I work, I travel and I contribute to my community. My muscles may be weak but my heart, mind and spirit are as stronger for it.