I’m back again, addressing an elephant in the room. I’ve touched on being an inspiration on here before, let’s not discuss that post as it included some rather cringey words from my younger self. but I think it’s time I revisit this topic. It does have a correlation to a post that I published a few months ago about disability and bravery, some of this may almost seem familiar. Nevertheless, I’d say there’s certainly room for both.
Before we get into the nitty gritty, there are one or two disclaimers I’d like to clear up.
First and foremost, this post is not representative of the whole disabled community. It is merely my own thoughts, opinions and experiences.
Secondly, I’m in no way boasting, bragging or being ungrateful. I would never want for it to come across that way. It’s a collection of thoughts I’d like to get off my chest.
With that out of the way, let’s get into it.
I don’t want to be your “inspiration” simply for being disabled
“You’re such an inspiration” is something I’ve heard in several contexts.
The first in relation to using my online platforms in the way I do; to act as a resource, a comfort blanket if you will, and a way of sharing my experiences.
The second is in reference to my every day life as a disabled person – carrying out my job, getting a degree, even mundane tasks such as using my cane when out and about, travelling independently on a train, using a computer or would you believe it, pouring a drink.
My feelings towards being an inspiration for these two elements of my life differ. Allow me to explain.
Sharing their life online isn’t for everyone. I utter the following very cautiously. It’s a real honour to be seen as an inspiration for the work I do. There are some incredible people doing some truly remarkable work, so to be seen in that way never fails to blow me away a little. When I see my name alongside fellow disabled people that I admire makes me stop in my tracks. When people tell me they’ve taken something away from what I have to say gives me a warm fuzzy feeling inside. Nothing makes me happier than that.
On the flipside, I don’t create my content to be inspiring. I’m glad that people find my content inspiring in one way or another. However, that’s not the goal I have in mind when I sit down to write a blog post or when social media content comes to mind. In some ways, I’ve learned to accept being called an inspiration about this aspect of my life. For the most part, I’m okay with it.
Then there’s the other side to being an inspiration, the side that makes me feel uncomfortable. Being labelled as inspirational simply for being disabled. How exactly does my disability make me inspirational?
I am so much more than my disability. I’m just your average 20-something year old. I’m nothing special.
I am inspirational to many non-disabled people for leading the life I want, for getting back up when I’ve faced challenges and jumped over the hurdles that have been put in front of me (both figuratively and non-figuratively). People see this as inspirational because they couldn’t imagine themselves doing those things. They can’t fathom how I get up every day and face the obstacles in an inaccessible world with a smile on my face.
The thing is, that’s just the person I am. I’m determined, and I won’t give up. Nothing will deter me from achieving whatever I’ve set my mind to. That doesn’t make me inspirational, it makes me human.
When people call me inspirational, they think it’s a compliment. They expect me to regard them with such gratitude and joy.
Well… I’m here to tell you that it doesn’t make me feel like that at all.
In fact, it makes me feel uncomfortable. You’ll see me smiling, saying “thanks” whilst laughing it off. That’s because I don’t know what else to do.
It leaves me with questions whirring round my mind. What have I done for you to think that I’m inspirational? What does ‘being an inspiration’ mean?
Being inspirational is defined as: “To be so successful, or to deal with a difficult situation so well, that other people admire you and want to be like you.”
Furthermore, “Inspiring people are bold and courageous. In fact, they have an immense amount of courage, which they show every day.”
I think there are several parts to unpick from this.
Firstly, I wouldn’t see myself as being successful. I’m in a job I love, and have found myself on the career path I’ve been searching for. Personally, I think I have a long way to go until I can call myself successful.
That’s not to say that disabled people aren’t successful, of course they are. I’m just not one of them.
Yes I’ve worked hard to achieve my goals and map out my path in life. That’s because I want to work hard, not because I’m inspirational for doing so.
Secondly, I’m not bold or courageous. I certainly don’t show an immense amount of courage every single day.
With that in mind, am I really an inspiration simply for being disabled? I can’t see it (pun absolutely intended).
We wouldn’t say a non-disabled person is inspirational for walking down the street, doing a spot of online shopping, travelling on public transport or going to work. Yet why am I seen in this way because I have a disability? I might do certain tasks a little differently to sighted people. Even so, I’m not doing anything extraordinary when I’m going about my every day life.
To automatically label a disabled person as an inspiration reinforces harmful stereotypes and diminishes our experiences. It takes away the true value of what it means to be an inspiration. If we were all inspirational, there would be no one left to inspire us.
I understand why people come to this conclusion, because they couldn’t imagine themselves doing these things if they were in my situation. I’m seen as highly regarded for doing every day tasks even though I’m blind. Really, I’m just living my life. What’s inspirational about that?
Something doesn’t quite sit right with me. It makes me feel uneasy.
I want to do something that’s worthy of being given such a label, rather than an automatic assumption being attached to it.
If you think someone is inspirational, then that’s okay. I’d never want to dictate or tell you how to think or feel. Please just think about why you perceive them this way. Ask yourself whether it’s for the right reasons.
There are inspirational disabled people, I don’t want that to be dismissed. Those people should be recognised. I’d never want to mask in their glory because they are the ones who deserve the praise and recognition. I think we need to evaluate what being inspirational actually means, and give the label to those who truly deserve it.
How do you feel when someone calls you an inspiration?
Depending on the context, it can either make me feel one of two ways: it fills me with a sense of pride or leaves me feeling awkward, casting a shadow of uneasiness.
Holly x
![Not only did I attend the 7 goal thriller between @arsenalwfc and @manutdwomen on the final day of the 2024/25 @barclayswsl season over the weekend, I was also provided with the most amazing audio descriptive commentary.
It’s no secret my love of Manchester United. I’m going to make it known now that I have a pretty big soft spot for Arsenal too.
Many of the Arsenal team are some of my favourites. It’s also clear that the club care about accessibility and inclusion for disabled supporters, something that’s extremely important to me.
And their commitment to accessibility was clear from the call I made to book tickets, right through to the match itself.
But the audio descriptive commentary scored an extra goal or two for me. Audio descriptive commentary is a rarity in the women’s game. It’s something I’ve been desperate to experience for the last few years. Now that I’ve had that experience, I can wholeheartedly say that it completely transforms the experience of the match as a blind fan. I don’t have the words to explain the feeling of inclusion it gave me.
I tried to sum it up, documenting my experience of the match over on the blog. If you’d like to give it a read, head over to lifeofablindgirl.com – a link to my blog is also in my bio.
Thanks to an epic game on the pitch and the accessibility off it, the Arsenal versus United match is by far my favourite game I’ve ever attended. I hope to be returning to the Emirates soon!
@arsenal @manchesterunited @alanmarchsport
[Image descriptions:
Image 1: Holly stood in the Emirates Stadium with a view of the pitch behind her. She’s wearing a light blue denim jacket and is smiling at the camera.
Image 2: A Manchester United player running towards the Arsenal goal in the semicircle of the penalty area. Arsenal players can be seen positioned around her.
Image 3: Two Arsenal players hugging each other after celebrating a goal. Other Arsenal players can be seen running towards them to join in the celebrations, whilst Manchester United players are walking away. The Arsenal players are wearing their red home shirts, and the Manchester United players are wearing their blue away shirts.]](https://lifeofablindgirl.com/wp-content/plugins/instagram-feed/img/placeholder.png)
Holly, i’m definitely agree with you! Afik from israel, blind myself
Thank you!
My dear Holly, I find this blog rather sad! The recent common wealth games was wonderfully “inclusive” of a range of truly inspirational athletes, who have pursued their dreams, worked really hard, all will have had to overcome injury, disappointments, you name it, but many have named family who have supported them & their dreams and perseverance in many fields of life! Those who were interviewed acknowledged how special it was for the ‘across the board acknowledgement’ for all the athletes full stop.No categories.just celebration for their achievements, and the accolades that went with this, and the celebration of human spirit whatever age! All are people,and acclaim for achievements are to be celebrated, and accepted! A grandson recently had his delayed graduation because of covid which has caused such havoc for many young peoples’ education, exam skills, poor teaching or contact for them in lockdown etc and despite them trying their best, the recent A level results have for some been very disappointing & spoilt their dreams- it’s now how they deal with that. I’ve had the privilege of knowing a few of my ex patients who, like you, are displaying that determination that you have, & it’s wonderful!! My grandson had to overcome stuff , & has done so with immense determination & still does- I hope he’ll be able to relax & enjoy life too!
In life,you never know what you can spark in other people whoever & whatever circumstances they have to adjust their life to( which is a lot of us!) we need people to look up to,to encourage us, to warm our hearts, which you obviously have done whether they’re of the blind community, or others ie: people! Please accept our thanks- you are part of a younger generation than mine, whose lives are enriched by you all who Persue your dreams whatever the challenges. It’s wonderful there is such a diversity of possibilities enriched by technology we never had, & therefore possibilities were limited! Sending much love for your onward life journey, and refreshing honesty( the ability to talk openly,is challenging for some people whose chin up & get on with it attitude can be unhelpful to them & others!!. ) wendy
Thank you, Wendy.
The athletes that took part in the recent common wealth games are a brilliant example of those that deserve to be celebrated in all their glory.
I guess you could say maybe I’m too harsh on myself. We all have achievements, no matter how big or small.
Side note – huge congratulations to your grandson on his graduation, I can only imagine how hard it must have been for the recent cohort of graduates to wait so long for their special day. I wish him all the best for the future!
Sorry if my last comment wasn’t clear- you have a gift of honesty and language for have & you are using it wonderfully! We all have different gifts , some never use them, but you are doing to the help of others- maybe you’re “inspirational” cos you’re not only willing to be honest about things in your life but you share with honesty! Maybe you’re helping a variety of people who need to be honest, to face things full on?! I once heard an inspirational teacher of people who were coping with having no sight or hearing- & he said there were people who could never reach out & take their hands to talk to them, then he asked the question: who had a disability? The person who couldn’t see or hear anything or the person who couldn’t reach out to them? It’s a very telling question! Seeing, and perception are very different things- many people who have physical sight can be blind in other ways. You have developed skills not just for your own life journey can that can help and inspire all manner of folk! Thank you for being an inspiration!! Much love wendy
Thank you so much for your kind words.
Those are really interesting questions, definitely food for thought.
Hi Holly,
An interesting blog as usual and thought provoking.
I do think the manner in which you address your disability might be considered inspirational to others. I recall your first Uni semester. You did not wait for others to flounder while trying to adjust things for you, you proactively told your tutors what you could and could not access and suggested how adjustments would work. This took away any awkwardness for tutors and allowed them and you to take control of the teaching and learning. Sounds pretty inspirational to me😊
Thank you, Janet.
You definitely have a point – I guess those things are second nature to me, and I don’t really stop and think about the wider context.
I couldn’t agree more! Yes, there are times when I do something that possibly deserves the label of “inspirational” I suppose. But I don’t like when people tell me I’m inspirational because I can do simple day to day tasks. I appreciate that they just aren’t able to imagine themselves doing those things without sight, but I’m not an inspiration because I can pour myself a drink, walk across a room with my cane without breaking my neck, etc.
Completely agree with you! I’m glad someone else feels the same.
Exactly that.
“…and want to be like you.” Therein lies the key. They don’t want to be LIKE you or me, but they don’t know any other word. I can’t say that I do, either. Perhaps something like, “You handle your [cane, wheelchair, etc.] with such skill.” Thoughts? Thank you.
Oh yes absolutely! I like that – it sounds much more polite and a well thought out response.
Yes 100%! Really like the “skill” part.
I am visually impaired as well. Thank you for your article. I am starting my own blog. Do you have any advice for me?
Thank you!
That’s exciting. My main pieces of advice would be to not put pressure on yourself – blogging is a work in progress, so enjoy the journey. Write about topics you’re passionate about, your passion will come through in your writing. Most importantly, enjoy the process.
Best of luck!