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The first, biggest problem is ableism

[img desc: blurry white papers on a blurry tan desk, a magnifying glass held in the center of the frame reveals equally spaced non-language dark grey glyphs, including shapes such as squares, circles, and a simple drawing of a ringed planet, written with a very "wet" pen. This is likely a code, but it matches pretty closely to the description of how my visually impaired friend describes sight - even when she can see, it doesn't really make sense.]

I've just woken up... and this is what's already occupying my mind....

the other day in a discord mostly for blind people, i had an argument with someone who said something like, "the first, biggest problem that blind people face is the blind people who are able to work and choose not to", this was driven because apparently friends had told her that certain jobs were too hard for them. it was exceptionally frustrating to explain to her that sometimes people just say things that aren't accurate (ie, not saying why the job was too hard or boring, not disclosing multiple disabilities), and explaining how other people aren't entitled to hear reasons anyway. Apparently, despite being completely blind, this woman had accepted all ableism and denied access in her own workplace as acceptable? This is called "internalizing ableism", and as you can see, it creates more than just friction in a disadvantaged community. As the conversation dragged on, i came to realize that visual impairment was not the disability that was granting her friends government assistance - but i don't think she has yet.

she's not the first person I've had that conversation with. doubt she'll be the last. the absolute revulsion and ableism she showed towards her "friends" for not being the "good disabled" was absolutely tragic.

Anyway that kind of thing is exactly why i can't stand the use of the word "lazy". It's never lazy to prioritize your health over your income. It's never lazy to prioritize activities you prefer over activities you don't, especially when you have the increased spoon cost that comes with having to overcome sensory or cognitive barriers.

The word "lazy" reminds me of this disgust towards interdependence that people spread so casually even when they, too, rely on support of others...

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