Assumptions held about Disabled Men and Women

That our lives are a burden to us, barely Forth living.

That we crave to be 'normal' and 'whole'.

That we are aware of ourselves as disabled in the same way that they are about us and have the same attitude to it.

That nothing can be gained from the experience.

That we constantly suffer and that any suffering is nasty, Unjust and to be feared and retreated from.

That whatever we choose to do or think, any work or pursuit we undertake, is done so as 'therapy' with the sole intention of taking our mind off our condition.

That we don't have, and never have had, any real or significant experiences in the way that non-disabled people do.

That we are naive and lead sheltered lives.

That we can't ever really accept our condition, and if we appear tube leading a full and contented life. or are simply cheerful, we are 'just putting a good face on it'.

That we need 'taking care of ourselves', with diversions and rewards that only the normal world can provide.

That we desire to emulate and achieve normal behavior and appearance in all things.

That we go about the daily necessities or pursue an interest because it is a 'challenge through which we can 'prove' ourselves capable.

That we feel envy and resentment of the able bodied.

That we feel our condition is an unjust punishment.

That any emotion or distress we show can only be due to our disability and not to the same things that hurt and upset them.

That our disability has affected us psychologically, making us bitter and neurotic.

That its quite amazing if we laugh, are cheerful and pleasant or show pleasure in other people's happiness.

That we are ashamed of our inability, our 'abnormalities' and loathe our wheelchairs, crutches or other aids.

That we never 'give up hope' of a cure.

That the inability to walk, to see or to hear is infinitely more dreadful than any other physical aspects of disability.

That we believe our lives are a 'write off'.

That words like 'walk' and 'dance' will upset us: as if people who've endured what we have endured have fragile sensibilities.