Why I’m grateful for the disabled community

A few years ago, I didn’t talk about my disability online, but now it’s the complete opposite…

I spent a long time thinking that people would judge me or simply wouldn’t get it.

Becoming more open about my vision impairment resulted in me talking about it online, which led me to starting my blog.

When I was younger, I didn’t know many disabled people. I attended some local events specifically for children with a vision impairment, and met fellow blind and visually impaired people who were around the same age, but that was it. As I got older, I got more involved with the disabled community – through volunteering, through creating friendships and talking about my disability online.

The disabled community became a huge part of my life, and I couldn’t imagine things being any other way now. I often think about what my life would have been like if I hadn’t become part of the incredible community, I honestly think it would have been a lot different. I don’t think I’d have the mindset I do about my disability, and I doubt I’d be where I am today.

So I have a lot to thank my family, friends and the disabled community for.

 

A recent conversation with a friend about my involvement within the community got me thinking about the role it has played in my life over the last few years.

I’ve previously spoken about the importance of the online disabled community, so I want to give it some credit again and tell you why I’m grateful for the community.

 

People are always there to offer advice and support.

Whether you are at the start of your disability journey, or it’s all you’ve ever known, the disabled community is always there to offer advice and support. One of the things I love the most about the online disabled community is how supportive it is.

There’s always someone willing to answer a question, or pass on their handy tips.

Whenever anyone asks me for advice on sight loss, I’ll usually encourage them to get involved with the disabled community, because it can help tremendously.

No matter what stage you are at on your journey with your disability, we all need a bit of advice or support sometimes!

 

It helped me love and be proud of my disability.

Becoming proud of being disabled and loving my vision impairment in all its glory completely changed things for me. I found people that were raising the roof, fighting for equality and showing the world that disability still means ability.

I found a community that were showing the world that disabled people are a force to be reckoned with, and that ignited a spark within me.

 

It gave me the encouragement to share my experiences.

Throughout my teenage years I did a lot of volunteering for disability charities, but when I found myself becoming part of the online community, it made me want to share my experiences of living with a vision impairment in a world that wasn’t exactly designed for us that can’t see.

I connected with people that were using their platform to raise awareness, educate others and fighting for accessibility and equality. I’m passionate about all of these things too, so I started to use my platforms to try and make a difference somehow. I never could have imagined that creating my blog, writing about my disability and using social media to give a glimpse into my life as a disabled person would have ever led me to where I am today.

Connecting with others and reading about their experiences made me want to find my own way of sharing my life as a disabled person and use my platforms to raise awareness. Where would we be if we didn’t do these things?

There’s a reason many of us share our experiences – not for sympathy or pity, it’s simply because we want to use our platforms to make a difference.

 

I’m always learning

I’m just one disabled person, and I can only talk from my own experiences. Every disabled person has their own story, their own experiences and we are all going on our own path in life.

Being part of the disabled community gives me the chance to gain an insight into other disabled people’s experiences and learn about other disabilities.

I often talk about the fact that we educate non-disabled people, but we educate each other as well.

Filling my timelines and newsfeeds with all things disability became a way of educating myself on other disabled people’s experiences. It taught me a wealth of information, and it still does today. I’m always learning.

Oh and yes there’s still my favourite bands and artists thrown into the mix too, because it is just as important to fill your timeline with the things you love and enjoy.

 

It made me realise that disability is not a bad word

When I surrounded myself with people that ‘just got it’, I found so many positives of my vision impairment.

I’ve never been ashamed of my disability, but I’ve had people avoid the words ‘blind’ or ‘disabled’.

I found people that showed the true beauty of having a disability which opened my eyes to how wonderful it is. Yes it can be hard at times, but isn’t everything? The community taught me that there are many gifts of being disabled.

Let’s embrace every aspect of our disability and be proud of who we are.

As a community, we’re real, open and honest about our disability, and why shouldn’t we be?

 

The community makes me feel represented

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, representation is key.

Growing up, I didn’t feel represented. There wasn’t anyone I could look up to or relate to in regards to my disability. I think it’s important to feel represented.

We’re often exposed to negative portrayals of disability, and these can contribute to many of the misconceptions. But we’re here, representing our community.

Disabled people deserve representation in all aspects of society.

When I found the online disabled community, I felt represented because I found people that I could relate to. Finding people that were just like me has helped me at various stages of my vision impairment journey.

 

They just get it

It’s a real comfort to surround yourself with people that understand where you’re coming from, and that can relate in one way or another. It can really help knowing that people have had similar experiences, and it’s reassuring to know that you are not on your own.

You don’t have to explain yourself or justify your feelings because chances are that someone else has been there and felt exactly the same.

 

It has given me the chance to make life-long friends

Using my platform for all things disability introduced me to many other disabled people, one or two of which are now some of my closest friends. We have a lot more in common than our disability, but it helped the friendship blossom. In some cases, it has made our friendship even stronger.

It’s rather strange to think that if I hadn’t have got involved with the disabled community, I’d never have found those people and those friendships would never have formed.

Once I found them, I knew that they were ones to hold on to.

 

There’s just something very special about the disabled community.

Some people are an active member of the community, whilst others are quietly in the background, but each and every one of them make it what it is.

 

Are you grateful for the disabled community as well? How has it helped you? I’d love to hear from you in the comments if you feel comfortable sharing.

 

Holly x