People act like disabled folks should live on moral rations. The minute we buy a coffee, order takeout, or subscribe to Netflix, someone gasps, as if joy requires a doctor’s note.
We’re not Oliver Twist, holding out an empty bowl to some bureaucratic overseer saying, “Please, Sir, I want some more.” And when we dare to ask for something beyond survival — a treat, a break, a small comfort — they act shocked. “More? After all you’ve been given?”
Here’s the thing: disabled people don’t exist to make the able-bodied feel generous. We don’t need to prove our worthiness before buying a frozen yogurt or enjoying a hobby. We’re not props in your austerity play.
Joy isn’t a luxury item. We have as much right to pursue joy and happiness as anyone else. It’s a human right. We deserve the same small comforts everyone else takes for granted, no apologies, no explanations, no empty bowls.
Here are some other articles you may enjoy.
Designer Shoes and Disability: Why Judging Others Is Obscene – Jan Mariet’s A Day in the Life
The Truth About Chronic Conditions – Jan Mariet’s A Day in the Life
Have you ever had an able-bodied person judge you because you were doing something fun or enjoyable, because you were out on an adventure with friends, or simply enjoying a rare extravagance, like a decadent dessert at a nice restaurant? Leave a comment and let’s create a space where our stories remind others they’re not alone.
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