Everyone Deserves To Be Accepted...

Thank you everyone, for tuning in and realising you are valid. I am here for you all.

While I am not totally disabled, I have problems that make me get treated funny. I always taught my daughter to treat people like she would like to be treated. People need to get woke up on how they treat others.

Today someone slammed the door at my face on this site because i told her am from nigeria. I feel bad about it. Should i have lied? My heart is broken

thanx for the encouragment!

This is a really inspiring story – and I did not know about your radio show. That is wonderful! The kind of treatment, to which you refer, can also affect relatives and friends of disabled people. I know a couple with a seriously disabled child who, for years, received appalling treatment when they wanted to go to restaurants with her. Legal protection, in these situations, is better than it was and I have come to believe that laws which protect any kind of minority are well worth the risk of over-regulation, not least because they do actually seem to change people’s attitudes, in the long run.

I do not have a disability,I am pretty average,people get treated badly because they cannot do certain things or don't look pretty,but really,we are all the same,discrimination is horrible,I think you are a really brave person for coming out and helping those around you.Thank you for you're story *Hugs*

Hello, Real!



It's been some time since I visited EP.



I want to say that, since I joined the ranks of the disabled, you've been an inspiration to me.



It's certainly been an education, not having the mobility I always took for granted.



It seems that while there are any number of laws that prohibit racial and sexual discrimination, the disabled are pretty much considered fair game.

I have a wheelchair, but I try not to use it unless I simply can't drag myself to my feet. When I do use my chair, though, I've been stunned by the ignorant reaqction of some able-bodied people.

In a supermarket, I was trying to negotiate a narrow passage created by a large display rack that was taking up most of an aisle; I was attempting to wheel backwards so that I could turn my chair, when a large, loud woman, with several kids in tow, snapped, 'Oh, for God's sake, get out of the way!'

With that, she gave my chair a shove, sending me into the shelving to the side of the rack! My left hand was trapped between my wheel and the lower shelf, causing my knuckles to be bruised.



On another occasion, I went into the local branch of a high street clothing chain, wanting to buy a pair of jeans. The shop floor was an obstacle course, with racks being crammed so closely together that I couldn't manoeuvre my chair without running into something.

When I located the jeans I wanted, they were hanging on a rack too high for me to reach. A kind woman got two pairs down for me and I set off in the direction of the changing rooms......They proved inaccessible, being up two steep steps.

I had to buy the pair of jeans I thought would be the best fit - but, before I could actually pay for them, I had to negotiate a further obstacle course to reach the desk. When I got there, the assistant was chatting on her mobile phone and when I held up my purchase, she turned her back on me until she'd finished her conversation!

On the way out of the shop, I was confronted by a gaggle of giggling teenage girls, who totally ignored my, 'Excuse me, can I get through, please?' and I ended up being forced into (yet another) display rack, grazing my knuckles and gaining a bruise on my lower shin.



When I got home and was able to try on the jeans, they proved to be much too big on the waist. I really couldn't face taking them back, so I'm stuck with a pair of jeans I can't wear and am out of pocket!



You know, I fought against my disablement for as long as I could, till I simply couldn't manage and had to concede to having adaptations made to my home, accept the need for a wheelchair and, on the urging of my GP and an Occupational Therapist, applied for the Disability Living Allowance. After filling out and submitting a sixty-one page application form, giving full details of my spinal disorder ansd supplying the names and contact details of my GP and hospital consultant, my application was denied.

It was clear, from the reasons given, that neither of those professionals had been consulted. I saw my GP the day after I recieved the letter denying my application and he confirmed that he hadn't been consulted. He urged me to appeal and to INSIST that he be consulted.

I did appeal - and my application was then granted.



I've had to come to terms with the fact that I can never again enjoy the persuits I loved - such as long walks in the countryside - and that I will always be in pain to one degree or another.

What I find hard to come to terms with, though - and what can still hurt deeply - is the sheer ignorance and lack of consideration of so many of the able-bodied masses.



It's not only out there in the, 'real,' world, but it is all-too alive and well here in cyberspace.



I neither expect or ask for my needs as a disabled person to be considered above the needs of the able-bodied: I don't expect that historical buildings should breach preservation orders by installing ramps or lifts when to do so would compromise the integrity of the building's structure.



However, what I find really hurtful is to be told, when making mention, in a social networking site, of my disability, just by way of explaining why I can't do certain things, that I should, 'Stop moaning and get a life.....!'



I'll hold up my hand and say, 'Mea Culpa,' because until I became disabled, I had no idea how difficult it can be just trying to negotiate a world that is largely geared to the able-bodied.



We learn to adapt by and large, but we're still too often viewed as whingers, as slackers and - as I heard someone say recently, scrounging off the State when we claim benefits that help facilitate a degree of mobility.



I'll get off my high horse now and finsih by saying that you continue to inspire me, Real. All power to you in your continuing voice.

My Dear Sister: I am in awe of you, what you stand for, and all that you are. I will always support your causes and listen to your radio station. Your speech is becoming clearer so I am sure you'll beat Cerebral Palsy.

"I do not want to change. I want to be loved and accepted, as I am". A truly beautiful and heart warming statement. I find you inspirational in every way, not because you have or not a disability, but because of what lies in the core, and is plain for me to see. We haven't known each other long, but yet, your esence drives me back to you, wanting to unveil the secrets that lie beneath the hurt and the armor.



Everyday here, and in many other sources we hear stories about survivors who became great, and admirable persons, but for me you are not a myth, or a story to read before night time, but, as you described yourself through your nickname, a real woman who feels in all intensity and has unfortunately suffered terrible and undescribable acts in life, but yet stays here, and in the radio sharing her story, and being herself.



Thank you for being my friend, and sorry for staying away these days, I was out making some money :-) oh this poor guy still has to work at his age haha X

TRW you are one amazing woman.

That is an awesome step, Seanachai. :)

one very powerful word in light of recent events up here in Canada...PARALYMPICS



The Paralympians were seen as ATHLETES not athletes with a disability...everyone from those missing limbs, malformed limbs, those with CP and other disabling diseases, vision and hearing impaired, all were treated with the dignity and grace afforded to the Olympians and many walls came down in the Canadian consciousness.



Even the media referred to the Paralympians as athletes only...and inspirations to all lovers of sport!

kimsmiles, one day at time...always knowing you are worthy. :)

My pleasure, always. We all need empowering times.

As a person who has a disability, I have experienced some of the negative things you have talked about. Thank You for positive story TRW and for providing this great information. *Hugs*

SugarBritches007: Thanks darlingheart, people need support to thrive.

I was raped because of my disability. *hugs* I know the pain.

You're a brave and wonderful woman. God Bless you. I advocate for abused Mental Patients and your story inspires me greatly. Embrace, Educate, Empower. God, I love that. Blessings. I hope you get 10 tons of blessings. Great big bear hug. Now I've got some brand new ammunition. This will help these folks a lot. Thanx dear.

It is a little hard to see beauty in yourself when you have had 17 years of people saying different. Did you know my looks made me so unpopular i have had others try to kill me?

Arorin, you are beautiful. Most of us are, ugliness is simply an attitude and sadly some outwardly perceived beauties are the ugly ones on the inside.

Thank you Kindal.

Ignorance and arrogance can be turned around! Stay strong. I love 3E Love, because it's such a simple way to help and thanks for your compliments. *hugs right back*

I don't have a disability but i been through all that just because i am not good looking.

I love love love this. I am disabled and yes have had many negative experiences. Just because I have a disability doesn't make me a weaker human being to be treaded on or killed. Just like animals who eat or kill the sick one, know what I mean? That's how they treat you, less then human.



You are an inspiration for all that you are doing. Thanks. It's great to know we have someone like you who is willing to stand up and be counted in our corner. Hugs, Kindal