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Fuck it.
I have a scotch. It’s time to talk about why I hate the term special needs so much.
I have a scotch. It’s time to talk about why I hate the term special needs so much.
I want you to imagine for a second - if you are non-disabled - what it is like to live in a world that expects your gratitude for every crumb or shred of accommodation that you receive.
Special needs as a term makes every "need" therein become something outside the norm.
It then becomes a special need how you access education, voting rights, the bathroom.
Special.
It then becomes a special need how you access education, voting rights, the bathroom.
Special.
And here& #39;s where it gets worse.
See, let& #39;s say that special thing that makes the world accessible isn& #39;t actually good enough.
Now, not only do you have to be grateful, but you have to negotiate for access.
See, let& #39;s say that special thing that makes the world accessible isn& #39;t actually good enough.
Now, not only do you have to be grateful, but you have to negotiate for access.
Suddenly, you& #39;re negotiating for extra specialness. You& #39;re saying that the already "above and beyond" thing that people are doing for you isn& #39;t good enough.
So you start eliding what you actually need.
ASK ME HOW I KNOW.
So you start eliding what you actually need.
ASK ME HOW I KNOW.
You start worrying you& #39;re asking for too much.
That you& #39;re too difficult.
That you& #39;re an inconvenience.
That if you ask for too many things you will wear them out.
Because it& #39;s special. Not matter of fact.
That you& #39;re too difficult.
That you& #39;re an inconvenience.
That if you ask for too many things you will wear them out.
Because it& #39;s special. Not matter of fact.
That worry extends to everything.
So no.
My needs are not special.
No disabled person& #39;s needs are.
Stop telling us to be grateful for what little dignity you& #39;re willing to give.
So no.
My needs are not special.
No disabled person& #39;s needs are.
Stop telling us to be grateful for what little dignity you& #39;re willing to give.
I& #39;m so tired. I& #39;m so tired of non-disabled people choosing the language for us, and it& #39;s such weaponized harmful language.
I& #39;m tired of your not seeing it, too.
Please. Wake the fuck up. You& #39;re hurting us.
I& #39;m tired of your not seeing it, too.
Please. Wake the fuck up. You& #39;re hurting us.
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