I'm an absolute newbie to this site. I'm very glad that I found this site and your post. Would you mind elaborating on the topic title? Why aren't you an inspirational cripple? Is is it that you find it offensive for non-disabled persons to assume that you care if they are inspired or repulsed by you?
I so agree with you. If I see one more tv ad for fibromyalgia medication that will make me slim, beautiful, full of energy and able to take on life like I used to, I will scream!
rather oddly I never thought about placing it on here until I was sent another email about another fake profile wanting to contact me, now deleted.
So here I am and thought as there are disability sufferes on here I will link my blog here. There is much more than just the disability issues each one more shocking than the last.
I remember meeting a generally friendly couple who asked told me 'You probably find Tanni Grey (no Thompson then) a real inspiration', they were shocked when I replied that I didn't. I gave a few seconds for this to sink in then explained that I wasn't a wheelchair racer so her efforts though admirable were not particularly relevant to my life and circumstances.
They then switched to Douglas Bader a man who knew that he was capable of flying and proved it against all opposition. Perhaps I don't find/need inspiration in others achievements but I disappointed them again. Bader did what was possible and good for him but again his life and difficulties were not mine.
I was once accosted by a silly middle-aged woman who crossed the road to tell me how brave I was to be in the city centre in a wheelchair; I felt sorry for her that she found such a slight thing inspirational. The same woman told me 'You just want to be accepted don't you.' To which the answer was no, I only wished I could accept other people! Actually I said nothing but watched her scuttle away wiping her eyes and congratulating herself on the comforting words she'd offered this poor unfortunate.
Not having a female friend at the time and she not having a repulsive form and face if she'd told me I just wanted to spend a few minutes hidden in the shrubbery with her I might have been tempted! Accepted is not something I've ever wanted to be....
