"You can't call me ableist if I'm HELPING!"

Having to constantly justify your existence is exhausting.

What's worse is that people with disabilities can achieve incredible things, but credit is almost ALWAYS given to the able-bodied people who are lauded as 'brave' and 'inspirational' just for helping. 

For example, I could direct a movie and employ an able-bodied assistant director. That assistant director is much more likely to receive praise or recognition on the basis of the work, in addition to being praised for 'helping someone with a disability'. Meanwhile, I will be called 'inspirational' and comments like 'it's just so great to see you working so hard even with your condition' detract from my role and my work.

This quote from Nik Moreno is appropriate. You know you have able-bodied privilege when: 

"1. Ableist people will actually heed your call-outs about ableism [if you're able-bodied]: It all starts here. When you notice someone being ableist and call them out, they are more inclined to treat you as credible — especially if you’re a white cisgender person. There’s a major double-standard, because disabled folks have been working hard to fight ableism, experiencing varying degrees of ableist violence, erasure and even death. When we call someone out, we’re silenced, invalidated, victim blamed, etc. But the second an able-bodied person speaks up, they’re “revolutionary,” “progressive,” and “inclusive.” Frankly — it’s bullshit."

Not to mention the way in which the able/disabled divide is INHERENTLY PREVALENT IN EVERY SOCIAL SITUATION. I put that in all caps because even the most well-meaning able-bodied people constantly fail to see how they might be contributing to the societal discrimination. The constant infantilisation needs to end. Throw away your baby voices and your pitying looks, and completely dismantle your micro-managing or patronising tendencies.

Start by acknowledging that people with disabilities are human adults deserving of the same basic human rights and privileges that all other adults are afforded. Step back, and allow them as much independence as possible. Decision-making agency is a key component - imagine that you could not complete a task without having every single step dictated to you along the way. It'd be infuriating, and almost impossible when you know your body will not cooperate. Now takes that knowledge, and apply it to reality. Treat your fellow humans with decency, respect, and kindness.

When it comes to my capacity to work, live, think, and feel as a human being, I know my limits and my ability better than you do.

What I need is for you to hear me when I say that I CAN or CAN'T do something, and take my word as truth.

And for the love of all that is good, stop talking down to me.

My muscles may be insufficient and my legs may not move as fast as I want them to, but my mind and my heart are complete. I am capable. I am diligent. I can prove myself to be a professional in a working context, and I can prove myself to be a contributing member of society. But I can only do these things if I am given the space and respect to lead my own life, and am allowed to live as an adult and as a human, free from the constraints of able-bodied people who think they know better than I do.

Once upon a time, I wrote a book...

...and now I'm holding the physical copy in my hands.

It's a surreal experience.

My book, '...and leap' is a collection of writings, so to speak. There is no one style of writing and no cohesive structure, other than the separation of musings into three sections; years, people, stories.

years contains one piece of writing based on each year of my life thus far and the most pressing and/or influential memory or feeling of that particular time.

people contains letters, poetry, reflections, and more, either reminiscing on those who have a great impact on my life in one way or another, or expressing gratitude or remorse to those who have had an impact in the past.

stories contains... stories. in a wide array of forms. short stories, poetry, lyrics stolen from songs I've been working on, dialogue from plays I've since shelved... I wrote the stories the way they begged to be told, focusing more on the feeling of the action rather than the action itself.

I've spent 6 - 7 months on this project, on and off. I had put it aside until a burst of inspiration a few weeks ago led to the impulsive desire to make it happen. So I did! I dipped into my savings (because that's what mature, responsible adults do, yeah?) to print a very small batch to start with.

The incomparable Lily Sullivan is responsible for the artwork. I am endlessly grateful for her contribution and her friendship.

If you'd like a copy, please get in touch. This is a passion project, not a way to make a living. I don't even know if you'll like it, but I've put my heart and soul on paper now and it's time to let this baby fly.

Each copy is $20 AUD, or $25 if you'd like me to post it to you. 
Payment can be made with cash upon in-person delivery, or direct transfer. 
Email me at madeleine.little@hotmail.com or message me via Facebook if you'd like to place an order.