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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's where it gets worse.
See, let's say that special thing that makes the world accessible isn't actually good enough.
Now, not only do you have to be grateful, but you have to negotiate for access.
See, let's say that special thing that makes the world accessible isn't actually good enough.
Now, not only do you have to be grateful, but you have to negotiate for access.
Suddenly, you're negotiating for extra specialness. You're saying that the already "above and beyond" thing that people are doing for you isn'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're asking for too much.
That you're too difficult.
That you're an inconvenience.
That if you ask for too many things you will wear them out.
Because it's special. Not matter of fact.
That you're too difficult.
That you're an inconvenience.
That if you ask for too many things you will wear them out.
Because it's special. Not matter of fact.
That worry extends to everything.
So no.
My needs are not special.
No disabled person's needs are.
Stop telling us to be grateful for what little dignity you're willing to give.
So no.
My needs are not special.
No disabled person's needs are.
Stop telling us to be grateful for what little dignity you're willing to give.
I'm so tired. I'm so tired of non-disabled people choosing the language for us, and it's such weaponized harmful language.
I'm tired of your not seeing it, too.
Please. Wake the fuck up. You're hurting us.
I'm tired of your not seeing it, too.
Please. Wake the fuck up. You're hurting us.
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