For Disability Pride Month, one thing I'd love abled bodied people to figure out is how to speak to someone with chronic health issues without implying that if they themselves had the disabled person's health conditions, they would end it all. I promise you life goes on- even with health issues.
I've had people say things like "I'd rather die than do that" about the most "mild" stuff like dietary restrictions.
(Not minimizing the burden of dietary restrictions at ALL, they are huge and emotional and very complicated, but what a weird hill for people to pick is my point.)
yeah!! I have Celiac disease and people tell me all the time that they'd rather die than not be able to eat bread
like okay, lol, sorry to hear that bread is the only good thing in their lives, hope they feel better soon, lol
Right?!
"Not eating dairy is impossible, I'd rather die"
'I mean, no, I do miss it but--'
"I could never stop eating it"
'...do you understand that terrible things happen to me when I do"
"You must have SO MUCH WILLPOWER"
'I really just prefer functional bowels--'
"YOU'RE SO HEALTHY"
yeah I do not at all miss people making unsolicited "you eat so healthy!" comments on my lunch in office break rooms from the before times
just because I can't eat gluten
like y'all could eat this way too if you wanted. no? then keep your comments to yourself eh
(I have a bajillion restrictions these days, but you know, back in the glory days when all I had to really avoid was gluten and soy, and limit lactose)
