for some reason this article just made me cry. i've been living with M.E. for three years and recently the ableist world we live in has been getting to me. we don't have a badge like this in germany but i definitely relate to the struggle of having to ask for a seat as a young and healthy looking woman and reading everyone's experiences with this made me feel a little less alone and i needed that today. thank you for writing this, i truly appreciate it <3
Hi Luca, thank you so much for reading, and for writing this lovely comment. I’m sorry you relate to these struggles! But so happy to hear reading other people’s stories made you feel less alone! Have a good day and thank you for the support <3
Thank you for mentioning my Guardian piece! Really interesting stuff. One of the parts of my latest book, Who Wants Normal?, that felt difficult to write - but that I very much should poke at - was the way society too often treats people with invisible conditions, even (and perhaps *especially*) when those conditions become visible with mobility aids. Thanks for sharing your story.
Hi Frances! Your Guardian piece was a really important one, thanks for writing it. And thank you for your reflections and kind words. You were actually one of the very first disabled writers I ever read (I think from 2018-ish!) and your work and career have always really inspired me, so I’m honoured you’re now reading something of mine. I’ve just ordered your new book!
this article made me tear up. sometimes i find the tube so painfully overstimulating and struggle with standing for long periods of time in the heat without feeling dizzy. i've never even considered getting one of these badges - honestly, i didn't even know they exist! i think i might have to get one.
i love how you explored so many different viewpoints so kindly, too. this piece is incredible. thank you for sharing your work!
What a lovely comment, thank you Sash! 🥲 Yes, the badges are definitely worth a try – in the absence of any better option, I do find mine a comfort to always have on me. Thank you so much for reading x
Thank you for including audio. 🫶This was a fantastic listen, as well as a gut punch to hear everyone’s stories and the ableist comments made on social media.
Just as I was thinking that it shouldn’t be on people with disabilities to advocate for themselves in the moment, you went right in and started speaking about it! “The disabled individual is expected to compensate for a structural problem.” 1000%. I read an excellent essay on here about this being our role in the medical system, which really hit for me at the moment.
I also remember being that fatigued working adult, begrudgingly giving my seat up for a pregnant woman, my empathy having been vacuumed up by capitalism and abusive situations at work and home. Anyone can become disabled at any time, and I was well on my way at that point, but didn’t know it.
I’m glad I found you tonight and look forward to reading more xx
Hi Lisa, and welcome! Thank you for such a thoughtful response.
I'm sorry you relate to the struggles of being perceived one way and not deemed as needing access, but I'm touched my essay resonated so much with you.
i live in nyc and use a cane, and my experience with the subway is so similar even though we don’t have badges. the amount of times i’ve been in immense pain, dealing with full body tremors, etc and people still just stare or pointedly avoid looking at me is astounding.
Hi Emmett! Thanks for your comment. Agh I’m sorry to hear you’ve experienced the same thing in another city. I wonder if a badge-type scheme will happen in NYC too at some point…
for some reason this article just made me cry. i've been living with M.E. for three years and recently the ableist world we live in has been getting to me. we don't have a badge like this in germany but i definitely relate to the struggle of having to ask for a seat as a young and healthy looking woman and reading everyone's experiences with this made me feel a little less alone and i needed that today. thank you for writing this, i truly appreciate it <3
Hi Luca, thank you so much for reading, and for writing this lovely comment. I’m sorry you relate to these struggles! But so happy to hear reading other people’s stories made you feel less alone! Have a good day and thank you for the support <3
Thank you for mentioning my Guardian piece! Really interesting stuff. One of the parts of my latest book, Who Wants Normal?, that felt difficult to write - but that I very much should poke at - was the way society too often treats people with invisible conditions, even (and perhaps *especially*) when those conditions become visible with mobility aids. Thanks for sharing your story.
Hi Frances! Your Guardian piece was a really important one, thanks for writing it. And thank you for your reflections and kind words. You were actually one of the very first disabled writers I ever read (I think from 2018-ish!) and your work and career have always really inspired me, so I’m honoured you’re now reading something of mine. I’ve just ordered your new book!
This is such a beautiful thing for you to say. I’m so touched. Thank you for sharing. And I hope you enjoy the new book!
this article made me tear up. sometimes i find the tube so painfully overstimulating and struggle with standing for long periods of time in the heat without feeling dizzy. i've never even considered getting one of these badges - honestly, i didn't even know they exist! i think i might have to get one.
i love how you explored so many different viewpoints so kindly, too. this piece is incredible. thank you for sharing your work!
What a lovely comment, thank you Sash! 🥲 Yes, the badges are definitely worth a try – in the absence of any better option, I do find mine a comfort to always have on me. Thank you so much for reading x
Thank you for including audio. 🫶This was a fantastic listen, as well as a gut punch to hear everyone’s stories and the ableist comments made on social media.
Just as I was thinking that it shouldn’t be on people with disabilities to advocate for themselves in the moment, you went right in and started speaking about it! “The disabled individual is expected to compensate for a structural problem.” 1000%. I read an excellent essay on here about this being our role in the medical system, which really hit for me at the moment.
I also remember being that fatigued working adult, begrudgingly giving my seat up for a pregnant woman, my empathy having been vacuumed up by capitalism and abusive situations at work and home. Anyone can become disabled at any time, and I was well on my way at that point, but didn’t know it.
I’m glad I found you tonight and look forward to reading more xx
Hi Lisa, and welcome! Thank you for such a thoughtful response.
I'm sorry you relate to the struggles of being perceived one way and not deemed as needing access, but I'm touched my essay resonated so much with you.
And I'm really glad the audio version was handy!
What a great and deep article. And thank you so much for reading it loud.
Thank you Nora! Not at all, I know from my own and friends' experiences how much more accessible listening can be.
Thanks for writing this - made me feel less alone with these daily struggles 🌱
Ah I’m so glad to hear that. Thank you Jessica!
i live in nyc and use a cane, and my experience with the subway is so similar even though we don’t have badges. the amount of times i’ve been in immense pain, dealing with full body tremors, etc and people still just stare or pointedly avoid looking at me is astounding.
Hi Emmett! Thanks for your comment. Agh I’m sorry to hear you’ve experienced the same thing in another city. I wonder if a badge-type scheme will happen in NYC too at some point…
thank you for this!!
Thanks for reading, Madeline!