Alright, let’s talk about this, because there is so much wrong with it.

#Disability “gains” only come as a result of things being taken from you. Firstly, to be given benefits, you have to be unable to work - something that to most of us isn’t a luxury or relaxing. 1/ https://twitter.com/tomkindlon/status/1317884385094414336

We want to work. We want to have our dream career. For me as a disabled young adult, the fact I might be unable to reach that is terrifyingly sad. Having to stay at home in bed is not aspirational, for us it comes with pain and fatigue and longing to earn. 2/

In regards to the gain of equipment, this is again as a direct result of the loss of our ability. My shower seat isn’t something that people are clamouring for, nor are my wrist braces. They are things I need in exchange for the diluting of awful symptoms. 3/

The “excuse for avoidance” is what I find most disgusting. Not only should no one ever need an excuse to get rid of unwanted attention, but disabled people can want attention and be worthy of it.

Being able to say no based on something like a disability is not an advantage. 4/

Finally, we come to “social mystique”. I would give up any perceived “mystique” in a heartbeat if it would take my pain, my fatigue, my subluxations and my endless other symptoms.

I gain absolutely nothing from being seen as some kind of mystery. 5/

We often lose out on a lot, being disabled or chronically ill - and it seems #LongCovid is akin to chronic illness - we lose time, energy, ability. We lose family and friends who leave us behind.

These “gains” are a result of loss, and to portray them otherwise is wrong. 6/

That isn’t to say I want you to pity me. I live my life to the fullest it can be, I am surrounded by people I adore, and I’m doing what I love.

But to say that as disabled people we benefit from our conditions in gaining equipment and “mystique”? Simply misguided. /end