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lilwatchergirl

Listed below are comments made by lilwatchergirl between Friday, 20th June 2008 and Thursday, 11th June 2009.

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Who needs airport assistance? 10:22pm on 11 Jun 2009 Am I the only person disgusted by some of the comments in this article? The comment about wheelchair users who 'leap up' and get into taxis. Do you know how much walking is involved in crossing an airport?? That describes most wobblies who can't do more than 50 metres or so, but can still get into *cars* - I'm in this situation all the time, and I absolutely do need airport assistance (although I don't use it beyond what I need).

Medical-model demands to 'prove' levels of impairment will only take us into a DWP-style situation that I for one would quite like to avoid. I know when I need assistance and I know when I don't - no one else knows anything about my situation, and a card 'proving' my level of impairment won't change that. Quite apart from being discrimination in itself to have to carry one. If airport staff are so concerned that they're helping people who don't need the help, they can challenge the people involved. I'd wager most of them will back down rather fast, like people who use accessible toilets without needing them (and we don't ask for ID for those).

Think before you write, Shakespeare. I always thought you knew more than this.
Disability Bitch vs visible disabilities 5:43pm on 27 Nov 2008 Yes. Hiding. It is the way forward. For me that will mean not leaving my house, not interacting with anyone and probably not thinking. Still, that'll get my essays done. Maybe I can get extensions until the boom returns.
Toilets, farts, hair and what 'must be done' 1:37pm on 13 Oct 2008 "what is it about you or your condition that I don't get, what story of that day and thing which 'must be done'... that is endured, that isn't understood."

It's not as graphic or probably anywhere near as interesting as your story, but I am sick of my body's inability to process medication properly. It's totally invisible, and drives me completely up the wall. This morning I was sitting in the doctor's office talking about my 'juggling act' where, every morning, I wake up and try to work out what hurts more. Any sign of a headache? Then that has to take absolute priority over everything else, and the painkillers I take will be targeted at that (and useless for anything else). Or, on the lucky lucky mornings when there's no migraine, I can start considering proper pain control for my knees or back or shoulders or hands - but only if I'm absolutely sure that tramadol won't set off a migraine that has me back to vomiting over the toilet for hours at a time. If there's any chance of that, it's plain useless codeine for me (although I've just started trying co-dydramol to see if it's any better). If, on close assessment, I decide there's no chance of this, then I reach the Ultimate Level, and am allowed to have a wonderful reduced-pain day with tramadol. At least until the other side effects set in...

Elizabeth, thanks so much for talking about things like this so openly. I really wish so many people didn't assume that disability is *just* about physical access. Yes, that's incredibly important - but if we forget the human stories behind the wheelchair ramps, we risk painting ourselves into a cliquey little corner where only those who never experience pain or messy complications are welcome in the disability movement. And that should never, ever happen.

- lilwatchergirl: professional, would-be academic, and highly talented vomiter.
Getting Disability Wrong 12:20pm on 20 Jun 2008 Not sure I agree at all with the above comment that there is a 'right' way to do disability. There isn't. I like your approach, but it wouldn't suit everyone. I'm a stroppy crip (with more focus on my impairment than some social model evangelists would like), and proud of it. It has its disadvantages. I'm sure your approach has pros and cons too. In your own way, you engender equality just as well as other disabled writers - better than lots of them!

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