Thanks for the response. I understand what you’re saying, and I wholeheartedly agree that society should be more accommodating of disabilities. No argument there.
However, you’re mixing up a coping mechanism for a true belief that ones disability is a net positive. I am not deaf, but I see this all the time in my circles and my own upbringing. Growing up, my parents would regularly visit religious authorities and psychics to assure them my circumstances were for the greater good, and I’d have met a horrible end without it. In my teens and early 20s, I believed this too. Many caregivers and disabled need to believe this to get through the day and find meaning in their lots.
I dont throw shade on anyone coping like this. It’s a much better path than the other ones I’ve seen, such as depression, suicide, and drugs. But at the end of the day, that’s all it is, a coping strategy. I promise, in their heart-of-hearts, if they could “reroll” their genetic lottery and avoid their disability. Every single person would. No sane person would voluntarily sign up for this.
While one could attempt to make an argument that society as a whole benefits from disabled people. And I dont disagree. A society that cares for disabled would be more humane and a nicer place to live in. But no rational person would seek it out for themselves. I’m not directing this at you, but imo those that subscribe to the belief, like OOP, are either misinformed about disabilities or are hand waving away the harm it does to the person.
Thanks for the response. I understand what you’re saying, and I wholeheartedly agree that society should be more accommodating of disabilities. No argument there.
However, you’re mixing up a coping mechanism for a true belief that ones disability is a net positive. I am not deaf, but I see this all the time in my circles and my own upbringing. Growing up, my parents would regularly visit religious authorities and psychics to assure them my circumstances were for the greater good, and I’d have met a horrible end without it. In my teens and early 20s, I believed this too. Many caregivers and disabled need to believe this to get through the day and find meaning in their lots.
I dont throw shade on anyone coping like this. It’s a much better path than the other ones I’ve seen, such as depression, suicide, and drugs. But at the end of the day, that’s all it is, a coping strategy. I promise, in their heart-of-hearts, if they could “reroll” their genetic lottery and avoid their disability. Every single person would. No sane person would voluntarily sign up for this.
While one could attempt to make an argument that society as a whole benefits from disabled people. And I dont disagree. A society that cares for disabled would be more humane and a nicer place to live in. But no rational person would seek it out for themselves. I’m not directing this at you, but imo those that subscribe to the belief, like OOP, are either misinformed about disabilities or are hand waving away the harm it does to the person.