The 37th Disability Blog Carnival is this Thursday, over at Cripchick's Weblog. Her chosen theme is a cool one: Disability Identity or Culture. To help inspire those at a loss for ideas--like myself--she's provided a number of questions that will surely bring in dozens of entries. Here's the question I've chosen to answer:

Do you see disability outside of a rights framework (i.e. is disability something that is more than advocacy to you?)

My long answer? Despite my having a life-long disability, I'm relatively new to the Disability Movement as an advocate. Some may be wondering how this can be if I have a life-long disability. Surely, in having had certain experiences along the way, such as proving my aptitude for learning and speaking (to a small degree) the Spanish language and proving my intelligence despite the contrary impression my speech impediment gives to some people, I have been an advocate. I probably was, but back then I didn't see it that way. I didn't know what the term "self-advocate" was. I never planned on being one to be honest.

As a child, I had similiar plans or dreams to most everyone else of when I grew up. I planned or hoped to be a wife, a mother and have a career as a published writer. Even though my Cerebral Palsy set me apart, I strove to be as "normal" as I could be. So what if I had/have to do some things differently or had/have some equipment (ie. leg braces and wheelchair) which facilitated(es) me in getting around? I still had/have the same or similar dreams as most anyone else, I'm as smart as most everyone else is and I have the same emotions. I didn't then and don't now consider myself very different from the mainstream of society.

Even though I view myself this way, I know and accept that I am disabled. And that this sets me apart from many others. Which is ok, for the most part. It only bothers me when I meet up with narrow-minded or patronizing folks, or am overwhelmed at times with challenges related to my disability. But I think, for anyone with a disability, this is normal. My disability is a part of me, has always been a part of me. It's shaped me, but it doesn't completely say or define who I am. I am more than Cerebral Palsy, as this poem clearly demonstrates. I am more than a disability...

   I am Devious--or so I've been told by others...
   I am Interested in faerie tales, folklore, fantasy and myths
   I am Shi, Shi-Shi, Speedy, Sassy and even Skylar
   I am An American and proud of it
I am a Big Brendan Fraser fan
   I am Impulsive at times
        I Love lilacs, they always bring pleasing memories back
   I am Ingenious when I need to be
   I am Talkative, when my shyness wears off
   I am Young--33-years-young...or will be in July

I think I got off on a side tangent there trying to show my identity, but the point I've tried to make today is simply this: I've lived with a physical disability all my life, certainly longer than I've been aware of there being a disability movement and wanting to be a part of it. So yes, I see disability outside of the civil rights movement. It's part of my everyday life! And though it doesn't wholy define me, as I've just shown above, it has helped me be the person I am today. My C.P. has taught or given me

• Perseverance
  
• A sense of humor
  
• Ingenuity
  
• Strength
  
• Dignity
  
• Wisdom
  
• Optimism
  
• Teachability

moon phase