IMAGE DESCRIPTION: Sulaiman (who is wearing his rainbow-coloured mesh jacket, his slim dungarees shorts in white with rainbow side stripe on the side of each thigh, his Pokemon Squirtle cap, and his orange sunglasses his dear Dutch friend Mark van der Heijden got him) sits in his power wheelchair next to a canal in the Queen Elizabeth II Olympic Park enjoying the amazing summer sunshine. He is smiling hugely and is extremely happy, as he loves the warm sunshine and nature but doesn’t get to enjoy it enough due to ableism and inaccessibility. Sulaiman is just a curious adventurer at heart.
Written on 5 April 2020.
27 August 2019. Dreaming of brighter days. Love this photo of me from last summer. Following my previous post, the world may be an intolerant, dark, and scary place right now (especially for disabled people), but nothing last forever. I am my own hero, bringing my own #sunshine and colour to my world.
☀️�
#FamilyIsEverything. And my disabled global #family is everything to me. However, in 2020, #disability is systemically eroded & #disabledpeople are systematically erased. #Ableism is rife (and mixes with Ageism & Racism making a potent cocktail) and is destroying us. #COVID19 is making this worse.
☀️�
Our productivity and us being productive doesn’t determine our #worth and #value. Our health doesn't determine our worth and value.
☀️�
But courageous people (and things) are happening to better our lives, but few and far between.
•
WHAT IS THE REASON DISABILITY AND DISABLED PEOPLE EVERYWHERE ARE STILL BEING ERODED AND ERASED IN EVERY WAY?
•
WHO DOES THIS BENEFIT AND WHO IS PROFITING ON OUR LIVES TO KEEP THINGS AS THEY ARE?
•
WHY ISN’T THIS CHANGING AND WHAT WILL HAPPEN IF IT DOES?
•
ISN’T CHANGE GOOD IF WE CREATE A MORE EQUITABLE AND INCLUSIVE WORLD FOR EVERYONE, WHERE WE ALL HAVE WORTH AND VALUE?
•
Again… I don't have all the answers. I am using my privilege to speak for those who can’t. But disabled people are needed, our lives matter, we have worth, and we’re valuable. How will you save us? Don’t betray us again!
☀️�
Disability and disabled people are always worth fighting for (including those with invisible disabilities and chronic illness), no matter what you think. We have so much love and light we give to the world. ✊�✊�✊�✊�✊�✨
☀️�
Really? You don’t want us to exist in this world? Look at me! You’re not going to keep smashing this Crip/Wild/Hot AF handsome devil if you erode and erase me (or my identity). � You want this, fight for this even when you don’t have to do so! �
☀️�
And I’m reconfirming my feelings (not buying into the ableist narrative anymore) that my disability DOES define me, but it does NOT confine me. I’m re-energised to now more so than ever (with my disabled global family) to want to thrive not merely survive. They won’t take our lives in their ableist fantasy because we are not a commodity. Also, I’m more determined and empowered to demand the respect I deserve. �
☀️�
So, just a reminder: Please be kinder and more empathetic to your disabled friend/family/colleague/neighbour/boss/partner/lover/other/et cetera in these tough times with COVID-19 but especially in times of calm every single day. Address your ableism. Reach out and check-in. We need more authentic allies to support us and champion us.
☀️�
#ONWARDandUPWARDS.
������������
☀️✨
#HighRiskCovid19 #DisabledLivesMatter#Adventure #AdventureIsCalling #iWeigh#IAmEnough #SelfCare #community#MuscularDystrophy#WorkHardAndBeNiceToPeople#BeBraveAndDrivenByPurpose #DontBeADick#BeBoldBeWildBeFearless #RadicalKindness#RadicalSelfLove #RadicalAcceptance#FistBumpsOnlyPLEASE#IAmNOTAnInspirationIAmJUSTLivingMyLife#IAmNOTYourInspirationPorn